Some emerging technology companies are banking on remote monitoring, mobile access to information and telemedicine to drive the consumer healthcare revolution we've been waiting, oh, about a decade for. Such startups displayed their wares at OneMedForum, an annual finance meeting meant to showcase emerging companies, earlier this month in San Francisco.
For $99, you can get visual reminders to take your medication from a product called GlowCap. This prescription bottle-topper lights up whenever it's time to take another pill, and the warnings escalate over time. The cap can track when the bottle is opened and whether patients missed a dosage. It's a steep price to pay for something not covered by insurance, but it could be a lifesaver. A less-expensive product, MedicaSafe, offers a drug dispenser connected to an online tracking and medication management system.
iPhone apps were, of course, popular at this conference. One, Personal Caregiver, also provides regular reminders to take medications. It can be had for a mere $4.99, and there's a free trial version available.
For more from OneMedForum:
- check out this Smart Products blog post