Here’s a promising way to monitor medication adherence:

Seeking a way to confirm that patients have taken their medication, University of Florida engineering researchers have added a tiny microchip and digestible antenna to a standard pill capsule. The prototype is intended to pave the way for mass-produced pills that, when ingested, automatically alert doctors, loved ones or scientists working with patients in clinical drug trials. (University of Florida News)

Methods to increase patient adherence to medications are getting increasing attention since studies have found that up to 69% of all medication-related hospital admissions in the United States are due to poor adherence, which is estimated to cost the healthcare system $100 billion each year.

Filed under: Innovation, Science and Medicine