From Pharmacy to Home: A Medication Management System to Overcome the Digital Divide for the Elderly

The average lifespan in Taiwan has increased to 79.84 years, leading to an aging society where 88.7% of the elderly have at least one chronic disease, and 51.3% have more than three. Medication adherence is crucial for managing these conditions, but the national adherence rate is only about 50%. Taiwan's robust medical system allows patients to receive a 28-day supply of medication through health insurance. However, elderly individuals living alone often struggle with timely medication use, leading to wasted resources and deteriorating health. Existing medication management products lack digital functions and networking capabilities, resulting in poor outcomes. This study integrated the pharmacy's drug administration process with a smart pill box mechanism to improve medication adherence. The system uses IoT technology and sensing components to provide real-time monitoring and reminders. The smart pill box reads a QR code on the medication package to set reminders and connect to the internet. A trial with 142 users showed that over 95% found the system helpful, and about 90% believed it could improve medication quality. As technology advances, such systems will become increasingly important in addressing the challenges of an aging population and a shortage of healthcare workers.