Big Brother isn’t watching–a pill does the watching for him

Gulp!

This one is going to be hard to swallow.

Engineering researchers at the University of Florida have developed a pill that contains a tiny microchip and a “digestible antenna.”

Those are two words I never imagined seeing together: digestible antenna.

It’s also something I never imagined washing down with a glass of water. So I hope the UF engineers won’t be offended if I just say thanks but no thanks.

Once swallowed, the microchip in the pill sends a signal to an electronic device. The device then sends a message to a computer that keeps tabs on how often an individual pill from a bottle of transmitting pills has been taken.

So…why put a microchip and an antenna in a pill anyway?

Two reasons: 1) To make sure subjects in clinical trials are taking their meds (or placebos) when they’re supposed to, and 2) To make sure patients are following doctors’ orders.

According to the American Heart Association, the “number one problem in treating illness today” is patients’ failure to follow prescription regimens.

Really? That’s the NUMBER ONE problem in treating illness? It’s not the illnesses. Not the drugs. Not the doctors. It’s those pesky patients! They just won’t follow orders!

So imagine getting this call from your doctor…

Doctor: You didn’t take your pill.

You: How did you know?

Doctor: I just know. I’ll stay on the line while you go take it.

You: Okay…there. I took it.

Doctor: No you didn’t.

You: How did you KNOW?

Doctor: Just take it.

I don’t know what’s worse–swallowing a microchip and digestible antenna, or Big Brother Doctor keeping track of my pill taking.

Source:
“Tattletale Pills: Engineers Design Pill That Signals It Has Been Swallowed” Science Daily, 3/31/10, sciencedaily.com