The Latest Electronic Pillbox
Source (except as otherwise noted):Electronic Pill Box Gets FDA Approval (CBS/AP)
Computerized Pill Dispenser Approved As Means Of Reducing Medication Errors
This (large, industrial size) bread box-sized, computerized pill dispenser, the Electronic Medication Management Assistant (AKA EMMA) manufactured by INRange Systems Inc., garnered FDA approval last week as a means of reducing errors in drug identification and dosing.
It should be on the market in early 2008.
The device, which can be programmed to dispense individual doses of up to a month’s worth of 10 different drugs, is designed for home use but requires the supervision of a health-care provider. EMMA is connected via the Internet to the patient’s clinician or pharmacist, allowing them to adjust the dosing schedules and dosages of drugs. Visual and audible alerts signal the patient whn it is time to take a pre-set dose of medication.
In addition to reducing medication errors, the dispenser is promoted as being useful to aging and forgetful patients, as well as those following a complex HIV treatment regimen.
According to Can an In-home Electronic Pillbox Solve Our Medication Error Problem? the cost of the machine will be $200 per month.
Commentary
While automated, clinically monitored medication dispensers offer obvious advantages, it seems unlikely that many patients will opt for a $200 per month pill reminder and even more unlikely that clinicians will happily take on the responsibility of monitoring the Internet feed from these machines, serving, in effect, as un-reimbursed employees of EMMA’s manufacturer.
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