Reading the MIT technology review uncovered this article about the use of wireless devices to help people in the tracking of their disease states. The article talks about a new device that is stuck on a patient like a band-aid and does both; monitoring of blood glucose and tracks when a pill is taken by means of a tiny microchip embedded on the pill. This is a very important step for diabetes as complications stemming from diabetes and specifically non-compliance with a given drug regime cost the united states multiple billions of dollars per year. (23.7 million people, $10k average cost of complications) With the expected size of the diabetes population expected to nearly double in the next 25 years, reducing the cost of complications due to drug compliance issues becomes mandatory.
This use of data monitoring for drug compliance could be an influential step in reducing overall costs fro the health care system. I believe that similar technology could gain widespread acceptance in large disease fields where drug compliance is mandatory, yet neglected.
"...could be an influential step in reducing overall costs fro [sic] the health care system.."
ReplyDeleteI would argue that health care is expensive because of the demand side, not the supply side. In other words, people will continue to be willing to pay big bucks for health care because nothing is more dear to them than their lives.