Smart Drug Inventory & Supply Chain Management System

Real-Time MERN-Based Medical Inventory Tracking

Problem Statement

Hospitals struggle to track drug availability, expiry, and movement accurately. Manual systems lead to:

• Stockouts (life-saving medicines unavailable)
• Wastage due to expired drugs
• Delayed supply between warehouse and pharmacies
• Poor visibility of where medicines are and in what condition

A smarter real-time system is needed to ensure the right medicines reach the right place at the right time.

Our Solution

We built a Smart Real-Time Drug Inventory and Supply Chain Management System using the MERN stack.

What it does

• Tracks drug stock, expiry, temperature, and movement
• Updates inventory instantly whenever drugs are added, used, or transferred
• Sends email alerts for low stock, expiring medicines, wrong storage temperature, and delayed supply
• Manages warehouse to pharmacy transfer, updating stock at both ends
• Prevents shortages and improves transparency

Abstract

Managing medical inventory has become increasingly complex in hospitals. Manual systems often fail due to inaccurate tracking, expiry mismanagement, and inefficiencies in drug movement.

To solve this, we developed a real-time MERN-based Drug Inventory & Supply Chain Management Platform. It ensures the "Right Quantity of the Right Product at the Right Place at the Right Time."

The system provides:

• Instant stock and expiry updates
• Warehouse-to-pharmacy movement tracking
• Automated email alerts
• Condition monitoring (e.g., temperature)
• Reduced wastage
• Faster decision making

Tech Stack & System Architecture

MERN Stack

Component	Purpose
MongoDB	Stores drug data, stock, expiry, movement logs
Express.js	Backend API handling all inventory operations
React.js	Interactive dashboard for all stakeholders
Node.js	Server handling real-time communication

Additional Core Technologies

• Socket.io – Real-time stock and alert updates
• Nodemailer / Email API – Sends critical alerts
• Cloud Storage – For storing logs and future image data

Why MERN for This Project?

• Single language (JavaScript) across frontend and backend
• Real-time data capability
• Highly scalable (thousands of drug entries, multiple warehouses)
• Ideal for fast-changing medical inventory data

System Features

1. Real-Time Inventory Tracking

• Auto-updates for every add/remove/update
• Status visible across all devices instantly

2. Expiry & Condition Monitoring

• Alerts before expiry
• Track storage temperature and raise alerts

3. Warehouse to Pharmacy Transfer Flow

• One-click drug transfer
• Auto-stock update on both sides

4. Email Alert System

• Low stock notifications
• Wrong storage conditions warnings
• Shipment delay alerts

5. User Roles

• Warehouse Admin
• Pharmacist
• System Admin

6. Transparent Report Generation

• Daily/weekly stock flow
• Expiry logs
• Transfer logs

Project Flow (Architecture Overview)

Warehouse Admin
    |
    | Adds/Updates drugs
    v
Backend API (Express.js)
    |
    | Stores & Updates
    v
MongoDB Database <----> Node.js Server <----> Socket.io (Real-Time)
    |
    v
React Dashboard (Pharmacist/Admin)
    |
    v
Email Alert System (Nodemailer)

Flow Summary: Every update is reflected in DB, instantly pushed to all dashboards, and alerts sent automatically.

Results

• Reduced delays in drug movement
• Eliminated manual errors
• Ensured continuous medicine availability
• Achieved complete transparency in supply chain
• Improved patient care

Project Links

GitHub Repository: MaheshN1821/hackathon

Project Demo Video: View Demo

How to Run the Project

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/MaheshN1821/hackathon
cd hackathon

2. Install Dependencies

Backend:

cd backend
npm install

Frontend:

cd frontend
npm install

3. Create .env File

Include the following details:

MONGO_URI=
EMAIL_USER=
EMAIL_PASS=
JWT_SECRET=

4. Start the Project

Backend:

npm start

Frontend:

npm run dev

Future Enhancements

• Barcode/QR-based medicine scanning
• IoT-based temperature tracking sensors
• AI-based demand prediction for hospitals
• Mobile App version (React Native)
• Role-based advanced authentication (OAuth/Clerk)

Conclusion

Our smart medical inventory system replaces slow, error-prone manual processes with a modern, automated, real-time solution that improves drug availability, reduces wastage, and supports better hospital functioning.