BENCHMARKINGMSD-P09321

CURRENT MEDICAL INDUSTRY 32 million Americans are taking three or more medications daily. Almost 29% of Americans stop taking their medicine before it runs out. 22 % of Americans take less of the medication than is prescribed on the label. 23 % of all nursing home admissions are due to patients failing to take prescription medications accurately. Up to 59 % of those on five or more medications are taking them improperly. In 2000, 43 % of those who ended up in hospital emergency rooms from drug overdoses were there because of misusing prescription drugs More than 17 % of adults over 60 abuse prescription drugs.

The No.1 problem in treating illness today is patients' failure to take prescription medications correctly, regardless of patient age.

CURRENT HOME DRUG USE Prescription is filled at drug store Instructions are printed on label Medication is placed in a medicine cabinet User is responsible for taking medication at

appropriate times

CURRENT PROTOTYPE Formerly used to

dispense small machine parts

Contains 120 slots for dispense tubes

Pros: Working prototype Unique design Functioning Solonoids

along with patent Cons:

Bulky(doesn’t transport comfortably)

Offers minimal security Circuitry and computer 5

years old

E-PILL MD.2 An automated medicine

dispenser Pros

Automatically dispenses medicine in plastic cups at preset times

Has a reminder system Calls emergency contacts in

case the medicine has not been taken

Stores 3-4 weeks worth of medication

Built in power backup Cons

Limited security (locks/unlocks with key)

Cups not recommended for re-use, must replenish at own expense

Must pay for monitoring service

Only holds pills

Price: $749.95 - $919.95

MEDREADY An automated

medicine dispenser that rotates at preset intervals to provide a new dosage

Pros 28 doses Reminder system

Cons Limited security

(lock/unlock with key) Only holds pills

Price: $232.95 - $289.95

MDG MEDICAL

Pros: Each drawer holds one

dose and strength of a drug

Bar code printer/scanner enable accurate administration

Touch screen computer keeps things organized

Expiration date tracker Cons:

Extremely bulky Only registered nurse can

access medication

REFERENCES http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?

identifier=107 http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/prevalert/v6/4.aspx http://www.epill.com/md2.html http://www.epill.com/medtime.html http://www.rxinsider.com/

prescription_dispensing_automation.htm (Booth #5308)