[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":2228},["ShallowReactive",2],{"category-future-of-pharma":3},{"category":4,"posts":52,"featured":2075,"ebooks":2133},{"id":5,"count":6,"description":7,"link":8,"name":9,"slug":10,"taxonomy":11,"parent":12,"meta":13,"acf":14,"z_taxonomy_image_url":27,"yoast_meta":28,"taxonomy_image":27,"_links":31},490,77,"The global revenue of the pharmaceutical market is 1.2 trillion dollars. With such capital at stake and with the pace of technological disruption, the pharma industry has to embrace new technologies, patient design, and innovations and put a greater focus on prevention and digital health.\r\n\r\nThe pharmaceutical industry is facing huge challenges from ethical issues to financial ones. By embracing disruptive technology like 3D printed drugs, artificial intelligence guided therapies and preventive medicine while working with regulatory agencies to make all this safe for patients, they can benefit from the digital revolution.\r\n\r\nIn our research, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fthefutureofpharma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">\u003Cstrong>Technologies Shaping the Future of Pharma\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\" we analyzed 11 of the major digital health technologies and practices with the greatest impact in the pharmaceutical sector. From including patients in decision-making through personalized care and artificial intelligence to automating pharmaceutical processes, we compiled the most important findings of the future of pharma.","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fcategory\u002Ffuture-of-pharma\u002F","Future of Pharma","future-of-pharma","category",0,[],{"listing_order":15,"child_category_ids":16,"featured":17,"youtube_video_id":22,"sub_header":23,"excerpt":24,"ebooks":25},"10",false,[18,19,20,21],15834,26327,11882,13786,"LvPvpztxTCg","The pharma industry has to embrace new technologies, patient design, and innovations and put a greater focus on prevention and digital health","\u003Cp>Disruptive technologies and emerging trends such as robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, precision medicine or patient design will impact the manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceuticals. In order to prepare successfully for a better future of healthcare, the pharma industry has to embrace new technologies and put a greater focus on prevention and digital health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[26],24764,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F053-pharmacogenomics.png",{"yoast_wpseo_title":29,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":30},"Future of Pharma & the Pharmaceutical Industry - The Medical Futurist","Future of Pharma: Everything you need to know about the future of pharmaceutical industry. ✅Latest Trends in Pharma ✅Analyses ✅Infographics",{"self":32,"collection":38,"about":41,"wp:post_type":44,"curies":47},[33],{"href":34,"targetHints":35},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories\u002F490",{"allow":36},[37],"GET",[39],{"href":40},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories",[42],{"href":43},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftaxonomies\u002Fcategory",[45],{"href":46},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts?categories=490",[48],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",true,[53,269,371,498,655,826,927,1036,1142,1248,1375,1487,1642,1751,1857,1961],{"id":54,"date":55,"date_gmt":56,"guid":57,"modified":59,"modified_gmt":60,"slug":61,"status":62,"type":63,"link":64,"title":65,"content":67,"excerpt":69,"author":71,"featured_media":72,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":76,"categories":77,"tags":79,"project_category":104,"contact_email_category":105,"yst_prominent_words":106,"class_list":115,"better_featured_image":148,"acf":198,"yoast_meta":217,"_links":220},25231,"2026-07-14T09:35:08","2026-07-14T07:35:08",{"rendered":58},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=25231&_wpnonce=2db69e44a9&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-07-14T09:35:10","2026-07-14T07:35:10","quantum-computing-in-healthcare","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fquantum-computing-in-healthcare",{"rendered":66},"What Can Quantum Computing Do To Healthcare?",{"rendered":68,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>A\nleap from bits to qubits: this two-letter change could mean entirely new\nhorizons for healthcare. Quantum computing might bring supersonic drug design,\nin silico clinical trials with virtual humans simulated ‘live’, full-speed\nwhole genome sequencing and analytics, the movement of hospitals to the cloud, the\nachievement of predictive health, or the security of medical data via quantum\nuncertainty. Jaw-dropping, isn’t it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Quantum supremacy, light bulbs, and\n42\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you want annoying people to stay away from your birthday party or scare off unwanted relatives from visiting, just start to talk about quantum computing or how Google reached ‘\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vox.com\u002Fvox-sentences\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F23\u002F20929466\u002Fquantum-computer-google-israel-gantz-netanyahu\" target=\"_blank\">quantum supremacy\u003C\u002Fa>’. Some maybe ask back whether Deep Thought, the highly intelligent computer from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=5ZLtcTZP2js\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa> counts as a quantum computer, but most of them will leave without a word and with a bottle of overpriced rum they brought from the Caribbeans. However, for a few interested folks, you should actually tell \u003Cstrong>the story of how Google’s 54-qubit computer was able to complete a task in 200 seconds that Google estimated would take over 10,000 years for non-quantum, traditional computers. It is leaping into the future at lightning speed. \u003C\u002Fstrong>But for all the fanfare, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2019\u002Foct\u002F23\u002Fgoogle-claims-it-has-achieved-quantum-supremacy-but-ibm-disagrees\" target=\"_blank\">critics, such as Christopher Monroe, a physicist at the University of Maryland and co-founder of the quantum computing startup IonQ, say\u003C\u002Fa> that Google’s paper might be a milestone in quantum computing, but it is an academic one\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2021\u002F5\u002F19\u002F22443453\u002Fgoogle-quantum-computer-2029-decade-commercial-useful-qubits-quantum-transistor\" target=\"_blank\">. We are still far\u003C\u002Fa> from practical applications. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Still, how does quantum computing differ from regular computing? While we don’t really want to go down the rabbit hole of technicalities as the team is rather far off from quantum physics, as far as we understand it, this is not just a better and faster way of computing – it has a fundamentally different basis\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Just as with the candle and the light bulb: while both throw out light, you know that the latter is definitely not an upgraded version of the former. But okay, let’s see quantum computing in a tiny bit more detailed manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We had the chance to talk with Dr. Frederik Flöther, an IBM Quantum Industry Consultant and Computational Scientist for the healthcare and life sciences industries, who highlighted what we can expect from the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Quantum Computing in Healthcare - With Dr. Frederik Flöther from IBM\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FEiOgktvh62U?start=4&feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What\nthe hell is quantum computing?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As it was explained in very plain words to me, we can imagine quantum computing as a process where calculations don’t follow each other as in regular computing but take place all at the same time. A quantum computer is able to run all the calculations simultaneously that a regular computer has to crunch in a linear order. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Shohini Gose quantum physicist says in her TED talk that quantum physics describes the behaviour of atoms and fundamental particles, like electrons or photons. A quantum computer operates by controlling the behaviour of these particles, which is very different from the way our traditional computers work. It isn’t by chance that quantum computers don’t measure their performance in bits, but qubits – while the former represents either ones or zeros, and thus the mathematical description of problems, the latter signifies states, which can simultaneously take up ones and zeros, or anything in-between. This means qubits have fluid identities or signify certain percentages and probabilities between two endpoints. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>As phenomena in nature are not necessarily describable by ones and zeros, quantum computing could open up better ways to simulate nature. As Richard Feynman, Nobel-prize winner theoretical physicist \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F26\u002Fquantum-computings-hello-world-moment\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cstrong>said in his inimitable way\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong>, ‘nature isn’t classical, dammit, and if you want to make a simulation of nature, you’d better make it quantum mechanical’\u003C\u002Fstrong>. And as the previously mentioned light bulb had the potential to completely transform society, quantum computers have a truly revolutionary way to impact many parts of our lives – including medicine, pharma, and healthcare. Here, we collected all the fields where quantum computing could have a transformative effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">And quantum teleportation is coming as well\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Quantum computing is developing rapidly, as we can see from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eurekalert.org\u002Fnews-releases\u002F955835\" target=\"_blank\">recent announcements\u003C\u002Fa>. Access to world-class quantum hardware and software will be available to the uOttawa research community as well as government and industry partners. Bringing quantum computers into research communities will allow collaboration towards the advancement of the development of quantum computing, novel quantum algorithms and applications by validating the use-cases in real-world settings. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002FIBM-Quantum-computer-creative-commons-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46716\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002FIBM-Quantum-computer-creative-commons-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002FIBM-Quantum-computer-creative-commons.jpg 1023w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">IBM Quantum computer, Image source: creative commons\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And this is not everything. Quantum computers are a thing. But how could they reach their full potential on their own? Here is where \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2022\u002F05\u002F25\u002Ftechnology\u002Fquantum-internet-teleportation.html\">quantum internet\u003C\u002Fa> – or quantum teleportation – comes into the picture. What is it? In simple terms that is a network that can send quantum information between physically distant machines. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A research team in the Netherlands \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41586-022-04697-y\" target=\"_blank\">was able to teleport quantum information\u003C\u002Fa> between three different endpoints. The significance is profound: it means information can travel between points while the matter around it remains stationary. This is something maybe even Einstein would frown upon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) Supersonic drug design\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Developing pharmaceuticals through lengthy and costly clinical trials is definitely passé: scientists and pharma companies started to experiment with alternative ways, such as using \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-companies-using-a-i-in-drug-discovery-and-development\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwyss.harvard.edu\u002Ftechnology\u002Fhuman-organs-on-chips\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">human organs-on-chips\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fin-silico-trials-are-the-future\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in silico trials\u003C\u002Fa>, to speed up the process and make drug discovery and development more cost-effective. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.atomwise.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atomwise\u003C\u002Fa> uses supercomputers that root out therapies from a database of molecular structures. Its deep convolutional neural network, AtomNet, screens more than 100 million compounds each day. In 2015, Atomwise launched a virtual search for safe, existing medicines that could be redesigned to treat the Ebola virus. They found two drug candidates in less than one day – shortening a months-long searching process. In another example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002Ff\u002F614251\u002Fan-ai-system-identified-a-potential-new-drug-in-just-46-days\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">InSilico Medicine made headlines\u003C\u002Fa> with the announcement that the process of developing a new drug candidate lasted just 46 days with the help of its smart algorithm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FAI-in-drug-discovery-cover-768x536.png\" alt=\"top companies drug discovery\" class=\"wp-image-24865\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FAI-in-drug-discovery-cover-768x536.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FAI-in-drug-discovery-cover-512x357.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FAI-in-drug-discovery-cover.png 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And what if these smart algorithms were leveled up as never seen before? \u003Cstrong>Running searches on quantum computers could unfold looking through all possible molecules at unimaginable speed for drug target tests conducted in every potential cell model or in silico human tissues and networks in the shortest amount of time possible. This would open the gates to finding the antidote to diseases we never dreamt about before: Alzheimer’s? Various types of cancer? The possibilities seem to become endless\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) Reaching the age of \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fin-silico-trials-are-the-future\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cstrong>in silico clinical trials\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In silico clinical trials mean that no humans, no animals, not even a single cell is required for testing a particular therapy, treatment option, or drug, yet its impact can be perfectly charted. It means an individualised computer simulation used in the development or regulatory evaluation of a medicinal product, device, or intervention. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-clinical-trials-artificial-patients-synthetic-data-and-real-time-analysis%EF%BF%BC\" target=\"_blank\">Completely simulated clinical trials are not feasible with our current technology and understanding of biology – yet\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>, but their development would be expected to have major benefits over current in vivo trials. \u003Cstrong>Quantum computing could greatly advance the building of ‘virtual humans’ and complete simulations\u003C\u002Fstrong> such as the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fhummod.org\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">HumMod\u003C\u002Fa>, which features more than 1,500 equations and 10,000 variables such as body fluids, circulation, electrolytes, hormones, metabolism, and skin temperature. \u003Cstrong>It would even open the door to ‘live’ clinical trials with as many virtual patients as possible and with components of the liking of the testers\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003Cstrong>It would not only massively shorten the time necessary for such trials but also their quality and completeness\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Prepare yourself, the age when new drugs reach the market within weeks of the first discovery of their drug candidacy is coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png\" alt=\"in silico trials\" class=\"wp-image-24545\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) \u003Cstrong>Sequencing and analysing DNA full speed\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The last two decades saw radical changes in genetics and genomics. It took more than 15 years to crack the code of the human DNA: the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Funlockinglifescode.org\u002Ftimeline?tid=4\" target=\"_blank\">Human Genome Project\u003C\u002Fa> started in 1990, cost billions of dollars and could present its final results in 2006. In contrast, by now, there are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Freport.nih.gov\u002Fnihfactsheets\u002FViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=45\" target=\"_blank\">more than 2,000 genetic tests for human conditions\u003C\u002Fa> – and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhich-direct-to-consumer-genetic-test-to-choose\" target=\"_blank\">direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies make it even possible to order them online\u003C\u002Fa>. These tests enable patients to learn their genetic risks for diseases and also help healthcare professionals to diagnose illnesses. Even whole-genome sequencing is possible for a few hundred dollars now – I also got my genome sequenced a little while ago by \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.dantelabs.com\" target=\"_blank\">Dante Labs\u003C\u002Fa> and detailed my experiences \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fi-got-my-whole-genome-sequenced-heres-what-i-learned\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">here\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002Fdna-madartzgraphics-creative-commons-768x473.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46636\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002Fdna-madartzgraphics-creative-commons-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002Fdna-madartzgraphics-creative-commons.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image source: madartzgraphics creative commons\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Although the technical conditions, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpdfs.semanticscholar.org\u002F0e38\u002F7bd00952c8450deefcdbcdebf5c946c20f54.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the time and the cost of sequencing genomes were reduced by a factor of 1 million in less than 10 years\u003C\u002Fa>, the revolution lags behind. We believe that quantum computing could give a significant push to the area: faster sequencing, as well as a more comprehensive and faster analysis of the entire genome, will be possible\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cstrong>with it\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003Cstrong>Plus, predictions will be more reliable as quantum computers could take into account even more information as traditional computers, and they could even build every piece of genomic data into health records.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Quantum computing could take out the guesswork from genomics and genetics for ensuring better health for everyone. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4) \u003Cstrong>Making patients truly the point of care\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Currently, we are able to measure \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-gazillion-of-health-data-you-can-measure\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a gazillion of health data\u003C\u002Fa> about ourselves – but we know that it’s still not that widespread. In the future, health sensors, wearables, and tiny medical gadgets could send zettabytes of data about patients into the cloud. Just as a comparison: while in 2013, the amount of digital data encompassed 4.4 zettabytes, by 2025 the digital universe – the information we create and copy annually – \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fseedscientific.com\u002Fhow-much-data-is-created-every-day\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">is predicted to reach 175 zettabytes\u003C\u002Fa>, or 175 trillion gigabytes (!). \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Quantum computers will be able to make sense of these huge amounts of data, including bits and pieces of health information. Moreover, surveillance of patients through connected sensory systems might render physical hospitals useless – and truly make patients the point of care\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Quantum computing could ensure the ‘home front’ for smoothly running these systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Fdecarbonizing-patient-pathways-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"decarbonizing patient pathways\" class=\"wp-image-40715\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Fdecarbonizing-patient-pathways-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Fdecarbonizing-patient-pathways-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Fdecarbonizing-patient-pathways-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Fdecarbonizing-patient-pathways-1-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Yet another possibility of this groundbreaking emerging technology connected to measurements is raising lifestyle prediction to a whole new level. There are already attempts to move from preventive to predictive health, but these are rather sporadic and in their infancy. For example, there is an ophthalmology app that shows the patient how their vision would change with cataracts 5 years from now while keeping the same lifestyle they have now. \u003Cstrong>Using quantum computers, fed with huge amounts of health parameters, genetic information, sensory data, and other personal health information, might be able to give a comprehensive prediction about a given person’s future health. That’s what we could really call predictive health\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5) Arriving at the perfect decision support system\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We have long surpassed the era when the accumulated knowledge of medical professionals could ‘reside’ in one professor’s head. It’s just too much. On \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpubmed\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Pubmed\u003C\u002Fa>, there are 34 million papers. If a single doctor could only read 3-4 studies of their field of interest per week, they could not finish it in a lifetime and meanwhile, millions of new studies would come out. That has already been a problem for a while, thus IBM created a supercomputer and its algorithm, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.ibm.com\u002Fsmarterplanet\u002Fus\u002Fen\u002Fibmwatson\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">IBM Watson\u003C\u002Fa>, to sift through millions of studies in a second – although there is some uncertainty about what will happen to these initiatives after the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2022-01-21\u002Fibm-is-said-to-near-sale-of-watson-health-to-francisco-partners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sale of Watson\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Quantum computing would take that to a whole new level and even augment it with special skills. What if such computers could offer perfect decision support for doctors? They could skim through all the studies at once, they could find correlations and causations that the human eye would never find, and it might stumble upon diagnoses or treatment options that the human doctor could have never figured out by themselves\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"Amazon's March Into Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-34785\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>At the very endpoint of this development, quantum computers could create an elevated version of PubMed, where information would reside in the system but not in the traditional written form, but in qubits of data as no one except the computer would ‘read’ the studies anymore. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6) Creating the safest medical data systems ever\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In her \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=QuR969uMICM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TED talk, Shohini Ghose\u003C\u002Fa> mentioned \u003Cstrong>the use of quantum uncertainty for encryption as one of the most probable applications of quantum computing. She believes it could be used for creating private keys for encrypting messages sent from one location to another – so that hackers could not copy the key perfectly due to quantum uncertainty. They would have to break the laws of quantum physics to hack such keys. Imagine that level of security with regards to sensitive medical information: electronic health records, genetic and genomic data, or any other private information that the health system generates about our bodies\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are already some examples. In January 2018, a joint China-Austria team showed that \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.insidescience.org\u002Fnews\u002Fchina-leader-quantum-communications\" target=\"_blank\">communication between continents with quantum encryption\u003C\u002Fa> was possible. The latest breakthrough achieved by this group consists of combining quantum communication from the Micius satellite with the fiber-optic network in Beijing. It is the first practical proof that the technology that allows networks to use quantum encryption is already available. How long will it be before we see a commercial application? We probably won’t have to wait for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"Cross-border healthcare: medicine delivery to patient care\" class=\"wp-image-29589\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I bet your jaw dropped. Quantum computing has indeed amazing potential – in theory. However, we still have to wait a lot until any of this can be applied in real life, so this is rather science fiction at the moment. Plus, another problem with quantum computing is that very few people know what it means and understand its workings completely. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What if we apply it to practical solutions and we won’t be able to grasp anything from it? You could say that you are using hairdryers without understanding their operation, but would you be that relaxed if your doctor didn’t understand the prediction or recommended treatment that came from a quantum computer? How far should we go in relying on technology?\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":70,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Quantum computing might bring supersonic drug design, in silico clinical trials with virtual humans simulated ‘live’, full-speed whole genome sequencing and analytics, the movement of hospitals to the cloud, the achievement of predictive health, or the security of medical data via quantum uncertainty. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,25239,"closed","","standard",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[78,5],521,[80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103],272,817,275,1203,279,1448,347,1528,134,425,1529,186,1530,212,1531,246,567,1532,260,568,262,677,271,686,[],[],[107,108,109,110,111,112,113,114],1693,1979,3335,3349,3501,1571,1621,1635,[116,63,117,118,119,120,121,122,123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132,133,134,135,136,137,138,139,140,141,142,143,144,145,146,147],"post-25231","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-future-medicine","category-future-of-pharma","tag-health-20","tag-security","tag-healthcare","tag-smart","tag-hospital","tag-in-silico","tag-patient","tag-quantum","tag-ai","tag-technology-2","tag-quantum-computing","tag-connected","tag-drug-design","tag-dna","tag-decision","tag-future","tag-in-silico-trials","tag-support","tag-genetics","tag-drug-development","tag-genomics","tag-drugs","tag-health","tag-health-data",{"id":72,"alt_text":149,"caption":74,"description":150,"media_type":151,"media_details":152,"post":54,"source_url":197},"tmf_quantum computing in healthcare","TMF","image",{"width":153,"height":154,"file":155,"sizes":156,"image_meta":194},1920,1080,"2019\u002F10\u002Fquantum-computing.jpg",{"medium":157,"large":163,"thumbnail":168,"medium_large":172,"1536x1536":173,"large_old_512x288":178,"thumbnail_old_150x150":183,"medium_old_370x208":185,"medium_large_old_768x432":188,"large_old_512x288_old_512x288":191},{"file":158,"width":159,"height":160,"mime-type":161,"source_url":162},"quantum-computing-370x208.jpg",370,208,"image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fquantum-computing-370x208.jpg",{"file":164,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":161,"source_url":167},"quantum-computing-768x432.jpg",768,432,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fquantum-computing-768x432.jpg",{"file":169,"width":170,"height":170,"mime-type":161,"source_url":171},"quantum-computing-150x150.jpg",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fquantum-computing-150x150.jpg",{"file":164,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":161,"source_url":167},{"file":174,"width":175,"height":176,"mime-type":161,"source_url":177},"quantum-computing-1536x864.jpg",1536,864,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fquantum-computing-1536x864.jpg",{"file":179,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":161,"source_url":182},"quantum-computing-512x288.jpg",512,288,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fquantum-computing-512x288.jpg",{"file":169,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":161,"source_url":171},"150",{"file":158,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":161,"source_url":162},"370","208",{"file":164,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":161,"source_url":167},"768","432",{"file":179,"width":192,"height":193,"mime-type":161,"source_url":182},"512","288",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195,"keywords":196},"0",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fquantum-computing.jpg",{"related_posts_footer":199,"related_posts":16,"cta_type":204,"cta_color":205,"subtitle":74,"related_books":206,"key_takeaways":210},[200,201,202,203],24540,24858,22209,15795,"keynote","deeppurple",[207,208,209],24762,24760,24761,[211,213,215],{"title":212},"\u003Cp>A leap from bits to qubits: this two-letter change could mean entirely new horizons for healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":214},"\u003Cp>Quantum computing might bring supersonic drug design, in silico clinical trials with virtual humans simulated ‘live’, full-speed whole genome sequencing and analytics, the movement of hospitals to the cloud, the achievement of predictive health, or the security of medical data via quantum uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":216},"\u003Cp>The question is whether it is possible theoretically and technologically to make it happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":218,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":219,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":64},"What Can Quantum Computing Do To Healthcare? - The Medical Futurist","A leap from bits to qubits: this two-letter change could mean entirely new horizons for healthcare. We looked at what quantum computing could bring to it.",{"self":221,"collection":226,"about":229,"author":232,"replies":235,"version-history":238,"predecessor-version":242,"wp:featuredmedia":246,"wp:attachment":249,"wp:term":252,"curies":267},[222],{"href":223,"targetHints":224},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F25231",{"allow":225},[37],[227],{"href":228},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[230],{"href":231},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[233],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[236],{"embeddable":51,"href":237},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=25231",[239],{"count":240,"href":241},30,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F25231\u002Frevisions",[243],{"id":244,"href":245},56563,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F25231\u002Frevisions\u002F56563",[247],{"embeddable":51,"href":248},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F25239",[250],{"href":251},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=25231",[253,255,258,261,264],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":254},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=25231",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":257},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=25231",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":260},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=25231",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":263},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=25231",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":266},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=25231",[268],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":270,"date":271,"date_gmt":272,"guid":273,"modified":275,"modified_gmt":276,"slug":277,"status":62,"type":63,"link":278,"title":279,"content":281,"excerpt":283,"author":285,"featured_media":286,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":287,"categories":288,"tags":291,"project_category":292,"contact_email_category":293,"yst_prominent_words":294,"class_list":297,"better_featured_image":301,"acf":319,"yoast_meta":327,"_links":329},57841,"2026-07-02T06:55:25","2026-07-02T04:55:25",{"rendered":274},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=57841&_wpnonce=2169b48eca&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-07-02T06:55:26","2026-07-02T04:55:26","drug-discovery-in-the-age-of-ai","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdrug-discovery-in-the-age-of-ai",{"rendered":280},"Drug Discovery In The Age of AI",{"rendered":282,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Previously, we contemplated the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fai-assistance-in-clinical-trials-the-practical-opportunities\" target=\"_blank\">practical opportunities\u003C\u002Fa> of the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in clinical trials for drug development. Such assistance extends before and after trials commence, and in this article, we will focus on the pre-clinical trial aspect. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In particular, we will focus on the drug discovery stage which involves the identification and creation of new medications. This process has, traditionally, been a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">time-consuming and labour-intensive\u003C\u002Fa> one. In the age of AI, drug discovery can be made more efficient and precise. We will take a look at how this can be the case in this article.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The drug discovery process\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The drug discovery process can be considered as the first stage in drug development. This \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmatchtrial.health\u002Fen\u002Fhow-long-does-it-take-to-develop-a-new-drug\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">usually starts with\u003C\u002Fa> the identification of a target protein that is associated with a disease. Once identified, “high-performance selection” is performed to find molecules that can bind to and influence the target. These molecules become the initial drug candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36305\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>These candidates then need to be optimised to enhance their binding to the target. Afterwards, they are characterised to understand their actions in the human body. Following these steps, a successful molecule can proceed to further drug development stages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Traditionally, the drug discovery process has involved \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\" target=\"_blank\">considerable trial-and-error research\u003C\u002Fa> before a drug can proceed to further developmental stages. Now, AI technology can enhance the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>AI’s role in drug discovery\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The assistance of computers and mathematical models in designing new drugs stretches\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ft.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fb279d3d4-f1b5-4733-8e64-fcbf90d12219\" target=\"_blank\"> as far back as the 1970s\u003C\u002Fa>. However, in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcategory\u002Fartificial-intelligence\" target=\"_blank\">the current age of AI\u003C\u002Fa> that we live in, such assistance has taken a new dimension. Such smart algorithms can aid \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\" target=\"_blank\">virtually every step\u003C\u002Fa> in drug discovery and beyond. In the past decade alone, the amount of AI-discovered drugs has significantly increased. In 2023, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaceutical-journal.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffeature\u002Fhow-ai-is-transforming-drug-discovery\" target=\"_blank\">46 reached\u003C\u002Fa> phase II and III clinical trials. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We dedicated an article to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fai-assistance-in-clinical-trials-the-practical-opportunities\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">assistance of AI in clinical trials\u003C\u002Fa>. But before reaching these stages, AI can also provide assistance. Here, we will consider the practical side of the drug discovery stage with some concrete examples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52039\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Identifying targets\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The analytic prowess of AI models enables them to scan \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fcouncils\u002Fforbesbusinesscouncil\u002F2024\u002F02\u002F29\u002Fai-is-rapidly-transforming-drug-discovery\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">considerable amounts of datasets\u003C\u002Fa>, from genomic to clinical data. This, in turn, allows them to precisely identify targets and how potential drugs will interact with them, in a time-efficient manner. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>London-based \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.benevolent.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Benevolent AI\u003C\u002Fa> leverages this ability to analyse data from the scientific literature, as well as clinical and chemical databases. Through such an approach, they could develop \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaceutical-journal.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffeature\u002Fhow-ai-is-transforming-drug-discovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a drug to treat ulcerative colitis\u003C\u002Fa> that is undergoing clinical trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“Based on the information that’s provided, [the AI model] is able to almost think and propose something that was previously unknown,” Anne Phelan, chief scientific officer at London-based Benevolent AI, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaceutical-journal.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffeature\u002Fhow-ai-is-transforming-drug-discovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">explained to The Pharmaceutical Journal\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Drug formulation\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A drug’s formulation, or its chemical structure and composition, determines its effectiveness in practice. Algorithms can be used to predict these characteristics of a candidate and whether it will be effective and safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Drug discovery software developer \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.schrodinger.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Schrödinger\u003C\u002Fa> employs AI models to predict how molecules will behave and the possible outcomes, based on their respective parameters. The company’s tools \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nasdaq.com\u002Farticles\u002Fschrodinger-is-an-ai-powered-drug-discovery-developer-to-watch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">have been adopted\u003C\u002Fa> by pharma companies such as Pfizer and  AstraZeneca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another promising AI tool for drug formulation is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.google\u002Ftechnology\u002Fai\u002Fgoogle-deepmind-isomorphic-alphafold-3-ai-model\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Google’s AlphaFold\u003C\u002Fa>. The model can accurately predict how potential candidates bind to proteins and influence human disease. Isomorphic Labs \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.isomorphiclabs.com\u002Farticles\u002Frational-drug-design-with-alphafold-3\" target=\"_blank\">utilises AlphaFold\u003C\u002Fa> and its own AI models to improve drug design for projects with its pharmaceutical partners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Fai-protein-folding-768x768.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-57843\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Fai-protein-folding-768x768.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Fai-protein-folding-150x150.png 150w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Fai-protein-folding.png 1214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.isomorphiclabs.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Drug repurposing\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the term suggests, drug repurposing involves employing existing drugs, initially developed for other uses, in new medical applications. This approach can \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fast-track drug discovery\u003C\u002Fa> cost-effectively. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some companies are using AI for such purposes. For example, US-based Recursion has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaceutical-journal.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffeature\u002Fhow-ai-is-transforming-drug-discovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">three repurposed drugs\u003C\u002Fa> undergoing clinical trials and has partnered with Genentech and Bayer for drug discovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Technological limitations and ethical challenges to be acknowledged\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the undeniable advantages of AI in aiding drug discovery, there are some limitations to the technology that need to be acknowledged. In particular, the value and reliability of the insights from such models rely on the data used to train them. Some conditions or medical fields such as oncology have more research input and available data; while others, such as tropical diseases, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ft.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fb279d3d4-f1b5-4733-8e64-fcbf90d12219\" target=\"_blank\">might not share\u003C\u002Fa> similar levels of available information. Such gaps in data can be filled over time, but this will require patience and adequate resources. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, the ethical considerations in using such tools must not be overlooked. Companies developing AI for drug discovery must ensure the ethical use of training data and that the outputs are not biased in order to have reliable real-world use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":284,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Previously, we contemplated the practical opportunities of the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in clinical trials for drug development. Such assistance extends before and […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",16,40965,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[289,290,5],7079,504,[],[],[],[295,113,296],1607,1833,[298,63,117,118,119,120,121,299,300,123],"post-57841","category-tmf","category-artificial-intelligence",{"id":286,"alt_text":302,"caption":74,"description":303,"media_type":151,"media_details":304,"post":317,"source_url":318},"fake drugs counterfeit medicine","Counterfeit medicine, fake drugs, substandard or falsified medication, pills, TMF",{"width":305,"height":306,"file":307,"sizes":308,"image_meta":316},720,405,"2022\u002F03\u002Ffake-drugs2.png",{"medium":309,"thumbnail":313},{"file":310,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":312},"fake-drugs2-370x208.png","image\u002Fpng","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Ffake-drugs2-370x208.png",{"file":314,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":315},"fake-drugs2-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Ffake-drugs2-150x150.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},40903,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Ffake-drugs2.png",{"cta_type":74,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"key_takeaways":320,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[321,323,325],{"title":322},"\u003Cp>Drug discovery is the crucial initial stage of drug development but it is typically resource intensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":324},"\u003Cp>Artificial intelligence technologies can aid drug discovery in multiple ways in order to make the process more efficient and precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":326},"\u003Cp>Despite the potentials of the technology, there are still pertinent challenges and the need for ample data to train algorithms for efficient results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":328,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":74,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":278},"Drug Discovery In The Age of AI - The Medical Futurist",{"self":330,"collection":335,"about":337,"author":339,"replies":342,"version-history":345,"predecessor-version":348,"wp:featuredmedia":352,"wp:attachment":355,"wp:term":358,"curies":369},[331],{"href":332,"targetHints":333},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F57841",{"allow":334},[37],[336],{"href":228},[338],{"href":231},[340],{"embeddable":51,"href":341},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[343],{"embeddable":51,"href":344},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=57841",[346],{"count":71,"href":347},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F57841\u002Frevisions",[349],{"id":350,"href":351},60953,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F57841\u002Frevisions\u002F60953",[353],{"embeddable":51,"href":354},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F40965",[356],{"href":357},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=57841",[359,361,363,365,367],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":360},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=57841",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":362},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=57841",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":364},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=57841",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":366},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=57841",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":368},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=57841",[370],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":372,"date":373,"date_gmt":374,"guid":375,"modified":377,"modified_gmt":378,"slug":379,"status":62,"type":63,"link":380,"title":381,"content":383,"excerpt":385,"author":71,"featured_media":387,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":388,"categories":389,"tags":390,"project_category":395,"contact_email_category":397,"yst_prominent_words":398,"class_list":408,"better_featured_image":415,"acf":438,"yoast_meta":454,"_links":456},56571,"2026-04-30T10:23:18","2026-04-30T08:23:18",{"rendered":376},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=56571&_wpnonce=6b6a915dc6&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-04-30T10:23:20","2026-04-30T08:23:20","the-ai-and-digital-health-future-of-pharma-prescription-for-change","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-ai-and-digital-health-future-of-pharma-prescription-for-change",{"rendered":382},"The AI And Digital Health Future Of Pharma: Prescription For Change",{"rendered":384,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Over the past decade, our lead researcher, Dr. Bertalan Meskó, has delivered hundreds of keynote speeches to leading pharmaceutical companies worldwide. As The Medical Futurist, he spends his days mapping out the future of healthcare, a complex and fascinating task. And while his work covers all facets of medicine, from regulation and policies to clinical work, research, and technological development, the pharma sector is probably the one he has spent most of his time on in the past 15 years. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Major current digital health and AI trends in pharma\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Over the years, he has identified some clear trends that will shape the future of the pharmaceutical landscape. Some of these trends are unmistakably on the horizon, others present a more speculative glimpse into what may come. In this article, we will explore both the obvious and the less certain impacts of the digital health and AI revolution on the pharma industry – as seen in 2024.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using AI in low-risk, high-ROI fields\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the most promising applications of AI in the pharmaceutical industry is in low-risk, high-return-on-investment (ROI) fields such as:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>drug design, \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>drug repurposing, \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>and clinical trials. \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In drug design, AI algorithms can analyse vast datasets to identify potential drug candidates more quickly and accurately than traditional methods. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Bristol Myers Squibb \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fbiotech\u002Fbristol-myers-pays-exscientia-20m-1-2b-deal-for-first-drug-candidate\">has partnered with Exscientia\u003C\u002Fa> to use AI for small-molecule drug discovery. The collaboration will use AI to accelerate the discovery of small-molecule therapeutic drug candidates in multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology & immunology. The company also announced \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Finvestors.exscientia.ai\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fpress-release-details\u002F2023\u002FExscientia-Announces-Expansion-of-its-Current-Collaboration-with-Sanofi-to-Include-Existing-Exscientia-Programme\u002Fdefault.aspx\">a collaboration with Sanofi\u003C\u002Fa> in 2023. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Merck forged AI drug-development collaborations with American-Israeli biotech company Biolojic Design and with U.S. company Caris Life Sciences. In September 2023, the company started working with U.K.-based AI specialists BenevolentAI and Exscientia, aiming to significantly reduce drug discovery timelines – \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wsj.com\u002Ftech\u002Fbiotech\u002Fgermanys-merck-bets-on-ai-drug-design-partnerships-rules-out-acquisitions-interview-943c5b7a\">The Wall Street Journal reported\u003C\u002Fa> in June 2024. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Clinical trials alone are a vast field for AI, we \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fai-assistance-in-clinical-trials-the-practical-opportunities\">recently analysed this segment\u003C\u002Fa> and listed examples of how various algorithms can be used in pre-trial assistance, how they can support trials, and what they can do after the trials. Tools like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-promise-of-crispr-gpt-specialized-chatgpts-could-transform-medicine\">CRISPR-GPT\u003C\u002Fa> can help us automate trial designs. In-silico platforms can predict real-world results with high accuracy. Novadiscovery’s jinkō \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.novadiscovery.com\u002Fnovadiscovery-announces-success-of-first-of-its-kind-clinical-trial-simulation-to-accurately-predict-findings-of-phase-iii-clinical-study\u002F#:~:text=The%20jink%C5%8D%2Dpredicted%20findings%20were,a%20median%20TTP%20of%2025.9%20%5B\">predicted the results of an AstraZeneca trial\u003C\u002Fa> with about 97% accuracy before the company published the results. And it took three weeks to design, one hour to execute – and had a cost of a couple thousand dollars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here is an excellent confirmation that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS135964462400134X\">AI-generated drugs can indeed perform well\u003C\u002Fa> in clinical trials. “In Phase I, we find AI-discovered molecules have an 80–90% success rate, substantially higher than historic industry averages. In Phase II the success rate is ∼40%, albeit on a limited sample size, comparable to historic industry averages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"629\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F1715598207270.jpg\" alt=\"AI drug discovery\" class=\"wp-image-56573\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F1715598207270.jpg 799w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F1715598207270-768x605.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using generative AI to enhance company processes\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pharmaceutical companies are not only using AI to discover new therapies but also to optimize their internal operations. Roche, for instance, has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fdavedrodge_chatgpt-health-rochegpt-activity-7111805972209090561-ATUk\u002F\">introduced RocheGPT,\u003C\u002Fa> an internal generative AI chatbot designed to streamline repetitive tasks, help intra-team knowledge sharing, and augment analysts’ efforts by analysing scientific articles or clinical test results and then extracting structured data about therapies and patients. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From patient centricity slowly to patient design\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The traditional pharma landscape has often operated with a paternalistic “we are making decisions about you” attitude towards patients. However, this dynamic is gradually shifting towards a more collaborative “we are making decisions with you” approach. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.jmir.org\u002F2022\u002F8\u002Fe39178\">This evolution\u003C\u002Fa> is driven by the growing recognition that patients are not supposed to be just passive recipients of care, but active members of their health team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Patient design involves patients as co-creators in the design and development of healthcare solutions. And this is certainly something the vast \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnewsroom.accenture.com\u002Fnews\u002F2014\u002Fpatients-expect-pharmaceutical-companies-to-provide-services-that-help-them-manage-their-health-accenture-survey-finds\">majority of patients want\u003C\u002Fa>. In the past decade or so, policy makers started adopting this theme too. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fabout-fda\u002Fdivision-patient-centered-development\u002Fcdrh-patient-engagement-advisory-committee\">Patient Engagement Advisory Committee\u003C\u002Fa> in 2017. The committee provides advice to the FDA commissioner or designee on complex issues relating to medical devices, the regulation of devices, and their use by patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This shift is long overdue. After all, patients are the ultimate “customers” of healthcare, and their experiences and needs should be at the forefront of every decision. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Automating the supply chain\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The pharmaceutical supply chain is undergoing a significant transformation through the integration of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frobotics-blockchain-redesign-pharma-supply-chain\u002F\">robotics, AI, and blockchain technology\u003C\u002Fa>. These advancements streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and ensure greater transparency and security. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"TMF, drug, flu, woman, cold\" class=\"wp-image-34583\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, robotics can automate repetitive tasks such as sorting, packaging, and labeling medications, minimizing the risk of human error and freeing up personnel for more complex tasks. While fake drugs are increasingly becoming a problem all over the world (yes, in developed countries too), technology \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffighting-fake-drugs-with-miniscule-printed-watermarks-a-genius-idea\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">offers ingenious answers\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ijrte.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002Fpapers\u002Fv10i1\u002FA57440510121.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blockchain-based identification of each box\u003C\u002Fa> provides a secure, immutable ledger for tracking the provenance and movement of pharmaceutical products, ensuring traceability from production to patient delivery​. But we’ve seen other creative ideas, such as printing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.futurity.org\u002Fcounterfeit-medications-fake-drugs-cyberphysical-watermarks-2711322\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tiny, edible, all-protein unique watermarks\u003C\u002Fa> on individual pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Investing in digital therapeutics\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly recognizing the potential of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-new-buzz-these-are-the-top-examples-of-digital-therapeutics\u002F\">digital therapeutics (DTx)\u003C\u002Fa> as a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdrugs-vs-digital-therapeutics-a-symbiotic-rivalry\u002F\">complement to traditional medications\u003C\u002Fa>. DTx are evidence-based software applications designed to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions. They offer a personalised, scalable, and accessible approach to healthcare, and pharma companies are investing heavily in this emerging field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Roche, for instance, was an early adopter by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fcontent\u002Froche-acquires-mysugr-new-core-its-digital-diabetes-management-efforts\">acquiring mySugr\u003C\u002Fa>, a leading diabetes management app, to enhance its portfolio of digital solutions for patients with diabetes. Similarly, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mckinsey.com\u002Findustries\u002Flife-sciences\u002Four-insights\u002Fdigital-therapeutics-preparing-for-takeoff\">GSK partnered with Propeller Health\u003C\u002Fa>, a digital therapeutics company specializing in respiratory diseases, to develop and commercialise digital solutions for patients with asthma and COPD. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Launching (and sometimes closing) digital health units\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“If you’re not in, you’re out” best describes the sentiment most pharma companies have about the digital health revolution. Many market players decided to establish dedicated units focused on developing and commercialising digital solutions. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Bayer, for instance, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bayer.com\u002Fmedia\u002Fen-us\u002Fbayer-launches-unit-to-develop-new-precision-health-consumer-products\u002F\">launched a new unit\u003C\u002Fa> to develop precision health consumer products, while AstraZeneca \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2023-11-20\u002Fastrazeneca-starts-health-tech-business-to-add-ai-to-pharma\">started a health tech business\u003C\u002Fa> to integrate AI into its pharmaceutical offerings. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, not all ventures are successful, and some companies have even closed down their digital health units. Biogen, for example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaphorum.com\u002Fnews\u002Fbiogen-shuts-digital-health-unit-and-exits-apple-alliance\">recently shut down its digital health unit\u003C\u002Fa> and ended its collaboration with Apple on a digital health app for Parkinson’s disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Let’s see the future! \u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All the trends we’ve discussed so far are already here, happening around us, even if the transformation might be slow or almost invisible in some cases. As progress won’t stop, we can also pinpoint a few advancements that are not yet here, but will surely arrive in the next few years. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In-silico trials and artificial patients\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine a world where clinical trials don’t involve recruiting thousands of patients, don’t take years to finish, and don’t cost billions of dollars. This is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fin-silico-trials-are-the-future\u002F\">the promise of in silico trials\u003C\u002Fa>, where digital representations of human biology are used to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs. While still in its early stages, in silico trials also have the potential to help identify potential safety concerns earlier in the process, potentially sparing patients from unnecessary risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F110_All-the-things-we-can-measure-in-digital-health-768x432.png\" alt=\"TMF, health data, trial \" class=\"wp-image-24937\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F110_All-the-things-we-can-measure-in-digital-health-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F110_All-the-things-we-can-measure-in-digital-health-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F110_All-the-things-we-can-measure-in-digital-health-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F110_All-the-things-we-can-measure-in-digital-health-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F110_All-the-things-we-can-measure-in-digital-health.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As we mentioned in the first segment of the article, we see the first studies, but we are not yet capable of actually executing trials this way. Significant challenges remain, including the need for more sophisticated models of human biology and regulatory acceptance. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite these hurdles, in silico trials represent a tantalizing glimpse into the future of drug development, where virtual simulations could complement or even replace traditional clinical trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another interesting and futuristic concept related to the topic is the idea of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-clinical-trials-artificial-patients-synthetic-data-and-real-time-analysis\u002F\">artificial patients\u003C\u002Fa>. (An artificial patient is a set of data representing the desired human characteristics the best possible way that is based on large amounts of real patient data, without actually including any backtracable real-patient data.) \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One day, virtual patients might become the go-to tools for estimating efficiency and potential side effects of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC7577280\u002F\">promising drug molecules\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbiblio.ugent.be\u002Fpublication\u002F8711822\u002Ffile\u002F8711823.pdf\">optimising the use of existing ones\u003C\u002Fa>, to model the success rate of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mdpi.com\u002F2077-0375\u002F12\u002F6\u002F548\">future medical devices\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medgadget.com\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Fin-silico-clinical-trial-replicates-results-of-traditional-trial.html\">treatment methods\u003C\u002Fa>, or, as the latest,\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2022\u002F4\u002F28\u002F23044586\u002Fvr-chronic-pain-synthetic-clinical-trial-data\"> they can substitute the placebo control group\u003C\u002Fa> for clinical trials. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As many hope, one day artificial patients may be able to completely substitute humans and animals in clinical trials, most likely with animals being the first. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leaving digital transformation behind\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The phrase “digital transformation” has been a buzzword in the pharmaceutical industry for years. However, as digital technologies become increasingly integrated into every aspect of pharma operations, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fpharma-companies-and-digital-transformation\u002F\">we may be entering a post-digital transformation era\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In this new era, digital tools and technologies are no longer seen as separate initiatives, but as fundamental components of the pharmaceutical landscape. AI, machine learning, and data analytics will be seamlessly woven into drug discovery, clinical trials, marketing, and patient engagement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pharmaceutical companies that thrive in this post-digital era will be those with a mindset where technology is not just a tool, but a catalyst for innovation and transformation. This will require a fundamental shift in culture, processes, and organisational structures. It will also require a willingness to experiment, take risks, and continuously adapt to the ever-evolving digital landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the pharma-future, digital technologies can’t be just add-ons, but the foundation of delivering value to patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3D Printing Drugs\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The technology for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-3d-printing-drugs-pharmacies-closer-think\u002F\">3D printing drugs is at an exciting stage\u003C\u002Fa> of development, with several approved drugs and ongoing trials. Aprecia Pharmaceuticals’ Spritam, approved by the FDA in 2015, was the first 3D-printed drug designed for epilepsy patients. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>FabRx, a UK-based biotech company, is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprinting.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffirst-3d-printed-pediatric-medicine-trials-to-begin-in-europe\u002F\">conducting the first pediatric clinical trial\u003C\u002Fa> of 3D-printed medicines in Europe, to explore the efficacy and customization of 3D-printed medications in real-world healthcare environments. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1527\" height=\"859\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36297\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited.png 1527w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1527px) 100vw, 1527px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While the technology is still nascent, the potential of 3D-printed drugs to transform the pharmaceutical landscape is undeniable. If pharmacies could print customised pills tailored to an individual’s specific needs, taking into account their age, weight, metabolism, and even genetic profile, this could revolutionise medication adherence and efficacy, as patients receive precisely the right dose in a form that’s easiest for them to take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, 3D printing could enable decentralised drug manufacturing, allowing medications to be produced closer to the point of care, potentially reducing costs and improving access in remote or underserved areas. While regulatory and safety hurdles remain, 3Dp-rinted drugs represent a futuristic trend with the potential to make personalised medicine a reality for millions of patients worldwide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Medical Futurist team keeps a close watch on the news of technologies and innovation in the pharma sector, reporting on all significant developments across our social media channels and providing in-depth analysis right here on our website.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":386,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Let’s see six existing and three future trends that will determining the AI and digital health future of the pharma industry. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",33877,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[289,290,5],[99,92,391,392,393,394],7967,7969,144,356,[396],950,[],[399,296,400,401,402,403,404,405,113,406,407,114],1681,2133,4485,5139,1599,6067,1617,1623,1631,[409,63,117,118,119,120,121,299,300,123,143,136,410,411,412,413,414],"post-56571","tag-ai-in-pharma","tag-drug-repurposing","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-pharma-2","project_category-medical-professionals",{"id":387,"alt_text":416,"caption":74,"description":74,"media_type":151,"media_details":417,"post":436,"source_url":437},"TMF, drug, pharma",{"width":153,"height":154,"file":418,"sizes":419,"image_meta":435},"2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_258-01.png",{"medium":420,"large":423,"thumbnail":426,"medium_large":429,"1536x1536":430},{"file":421,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":422},"tmf_article_258-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_258-01-370x208.png",{"file":424,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":425},"tmf_article_258-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_258-01-768x432.png",{"file":427,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":428},"tmf_article_258-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_258-01-150x150.png",{"file":424,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":425},{"file":431,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"source_url":434},"tmf_article_258-01-1536x864.png","1536","864","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_258-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},33827,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_258-01.png",{"cta_type":439,"cta_color":74,"related_posts_footer":440,"related_posts":16,"related_books":444,"subtitle":74,"key_takeaways":447},"subscribe",[441,442,443],56489,56371,56453,[26,445,446],37033,55605,[448,450,452],{"title":449},"\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The digital health and AI revolutions are rewriting the rules of pharma.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":451},"\u003Cp>Some future trends are crystal clear, others remain almost invisible for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":453},"\u003Cp>Success in this evolving landscape will require a willingness to experiment, take risks, and continuously adapt to digital advancements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":382,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":455,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":380},"Let's see six existing and three future trends that will determining the AI and digital health future of the pharma industry.",{"self":457,"collection":462,"about":464,"author":466,"replies":468,"version-history":471,"predecessor-version":475,"wp:featuredmedia":479,"wp:attachment":482,"wp:term":485,"curies":496},[458],{"href":459,"targetHints":460},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F56571",{"allow":461},[37],[463],{"href":228},[465],{"href":231},[467],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[469],{"embeddable":51,"href":470},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=56571",[472],{"count":473,"href":474},19,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F56571\u002Frevisions",[476],{"id":477,"href":478},60693,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F56571\u002Frevisions\u002F60693",[480],{"embeddable":51,"href":481},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F33877",[483],{"href":484},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=56571",[486,488,490,492,494],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":487},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=56571",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":489},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=56571",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":491},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=56571",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":493},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=56571",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":495},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=56571",[497],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":499,"date":500,"date_gmt":501,"guid":502,"modified":504,"modified_gmt":505,"slug":506,"status":62,"type":63,"link":507,"title":508,"content":510,"excerpt":512,"author":71,"featured_media":514,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":515,"categories":516,"tags":520,"project_category":535,"contact_email_category":536,"yst_prominent_words":537,"class_list":551,"better_featured_image":570,"acf":595,"yoast_meta":610,"_links":613},24598,"2026-03-02T09:05:23","2026-03-02T08:05:23",{"rendered":503},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=24598&_wpnonce=1e9b26d6a0&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-03-02T09:05:26","2026-03-02T08:05:26","how-much-is-life-worth","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-much-is-life-worth",{"rendered":509},"How Much Is Life Worth?",{"rendered":511,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Multivitamins, drugs, gene therapies, human skin, heart, eyeballs, kidneys, entire dead bodies – everything comes with a price tag. Putting aside the moral questions of why and how the capitalist market prices even our body parts and health, we asked the question of how much life is worth. What is the maximum that you would\u002Fshould pay for a life-saving drug? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>How high is too high a cost if a drug can save 200-300 babies a year from a debilitating illness or death? And ultimately, does the pricing of new technologies, especially gene therapies, enable them to fulfill their promise? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How Much Is Your Life Worth? \u002F Episode 17 - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fv4ymhGtzcKo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>There’s a\nprice for everything: butterflies, pieces of moon land, organs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The world is a giant supermarket where you find price tags on everything. A rare butterfly \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ebay.co.uk\u002Fsch\u002Fi.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=butterfly+taxidermy&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=rare+butterfly+taxidermy&_sop=3\" target=\"_blank\">can cost up to a grand on eBay\u003C\u002Fa>, an acre on the surface of the Moon is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flunarembassy.com\u002Fproduct\u002Fbuy-land-on-the-moon\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">available from $34.99\u003C\u002Fa> – although \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fquora\u002F2019\u002F01\u002F16\u002Fcan-people-buy-plots-of-land-on-the-moon\u002F?sh=249e010642bc\" target=\"_blank\">we strongly discourage you from actually buying it \u003C\u002Fa> –, and your organs are also for sale. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you could harvest \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=yNOsoe44c40\" target=\"_blank\">every organ and chemical in your body\u003C\u002Fa>, you could make a $45 million. But in reality, as Medical Transcription estimates, the average price of a human dead body is more likely to fetch around $550,000 (with a few key body parts driving up the price). \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Contrary to popular belief, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.donoralliance.org\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fdonation-essentials\u002Fcan-you-sell-organs\u002F#:~:text=Selling%20Organs%20in%20the%20United,tissues%20in%20the%20United%20States.\" target=\"_blank\">you are not allowed to sell your organs for transplantation\u003C\u002Fa> purposes in the US. (Nor in any developed country). Although there is\u002Fwas a loophole not specifically banning the sale of bodies and organs for research purposes, the bad news for wannabe millionaires is that the only one making money from their tissues is a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnypost.com\u002F2023\u002F06\u002F28\u002Fthe-body-parts-industry-is-boomingwith-heads-going-for-2k\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">cadaver broker\u003C\u002Fa>. And although \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnfda.org\u002Fnews\u002Fmedia-center\u002Fnfda-news-releases\u002Fid\u002F7475\u002Fcongress-takes-significant-step-to-regulate-body-brokers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">some regulatory adjustments\u003C\u002Fa> are happening, the progress is slow and not yet complete. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fonlinedegreeinfinance.com\u002Fblack-market-body-worth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">widely used\u003C\u002Fa>, although somewhat hard-to-find-credit-for figures, a heart is worth around $1 million in the US. Livers come in second, worth about $557,000 and kidneys cost about $262,000 each. Not to speak about human skin ($10\u002Finch), stomach ($500), and eyeballs ($1,500 each). \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Forgan-design-768x432.png\" alt=\"organ design, tmf, heart, tissue, bioprinting\" class=\"wp-image-41555\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Forgan-design-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Forgan-design-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Forgan-design-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002Forgan-design.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, organs are offered for less on the black market – but you never know where those body parts come from. And although the black market for organs is obviously not very transparent, it has been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.euronews.com\u002F2022\u002F01\u002F12\u002Fextreme-poverty-drives-afghans-to-sell-vital-organs-to-feed-families\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reported\u003C\u002Fa> numerous times that organ donors in developing countries – most often selling body parts to feed their families – will never see anything like the sums mentioned above, what they get is most likely a thousand dollars or maybe two. And we should also mention that transplantation tourism generates thousands, maybe tens of thousands of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.interpol.int\u002Fen\u002FNews-and-Events\u002FNews\u002F2021\u002FNorth-and-West-Africa-INTERPOL-report-highlights-human-trafficking-for-organ-removal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">victim donors\u003C\u002Fa> around the world every year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.researchgate.net\u002Ffigure\u002FAnnual-turnover-of-crime-from-illegal-trafficking-of-vital-organs_tbl1_375245443\" target=\"_blank\">This paper lists a price range\u003C\u002Fa>, stating that illegally harvested\u002Fsold kidneys are sold for $50,000 to $120,000, livers go for $99,000 to $145,000, the price tag of a heart is between $130,000 to $290,000, lungs for $150,000 to $290,000, while a pancreas can cost $110,000 to $140,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The prices of course are completely different if the intended use is not to implant organs, as we can read \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnypost.com\u002F2023\u002F06\u002F28\u002Fthe-body-parts-industry-is-boomingwith-heads-going-for-2k\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">in this news report\u003C\u002Fa> discussing the criminal case of Cedric Lodge, who \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnypost.com\u002F2023\u002F06\u002F14\u002Fseven-charged-with-stealing-and-selling-human-remains\u002F\">stole body parts including heads and brains\u003C\u002Fa> that were donated for research at Harvard Medical School, and sold them online. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Still, the black market for organs is flourishing. Until technology, e.g. 3D bioprinting, doesn’t offer a viable solution for organ donation, it will remain that way – as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-bioprinting-overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">there are too many waiting for organ transplantations\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>\u003Cstrong>This article is one of the most popular ever written by The Medical Futurist, resulting in the team receiving a couple of offers about organs for sale each week. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that we have never been\u002Fand will never be involved in organ sales, and we strongly advise our readers to follow suit. We truly believe in the official organ donor systems of countries and are encouraging everyone to opt-in, as all countries are facing constant organ shortages and the transplantation waiting lists are long. In the unfortunate case of our untimely death, declaring our willingness to become donors can save 8 lives and help a number of others. \u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cbr>\u003Cem>\u003Cstrong>But any black market transaction involving human body parts should have the direst legal consequences for organ brokers, human traffickers, and wealthy organ recipients knowingly tricking people in need to sell out their body parts – often for very little money.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So, it seems that your body parts are already labeled with a price tag. Scary, isn’t it? But in terms of the pricing practice, there’s not much difference when it comes to our overall health and life either. The distinction lies in that organs with price tags are not as visible to us as the price of therapies, drugs, or prosthetic body parts. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Almost every day you pay for your health by buying vitamins, pain medication, or lactose-free milk. The question is how much is the maximum that you would\u002Fshould pay for a life-saving drug? Is it fair to pay for life-saving drugs at all? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Insulin and polio vaccines were not patented by their inventor\u003C\u002Fstrong>s\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Medication, especially life-saving drugs, should be available to everyone in need. In an ideal, utopian world, the means of healing people, the instruments for alleviating pain and suffering, and the assets to save lives wouldn’t cost a penny. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vox.com\u002F2019\u002F4\u002F3\u002F18293950\u002Fwhy-is-insulin-so-expensive\" target=\"_blank\">inventor Frederick Banting discovered insulin in 1923\u003C\u002Fa>, he \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fthelancet.com\u002Fjournals\u002Flandia\u002Farticle\u002FPIIS2213-8587(17)30115-8\u002Ffulltext\" target=\"_blank\">refused to put his name on the patent\u003C\u002Fa>. He felt it was unethical for a doctor to profit from a discovery that would save lives. Banting’s co-inventors, James Collip, and Charles Best sold the insulin patent to the University of Toronto for a mere $1. They wanted everyone who needed their medication to be able to afford it. But we could list similar examples from Jonas Salk’s \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdepts.washington.edu\u002Fglobalhealthjustice\u002Fwaivers-on-vaccine-patents-would-save-lives\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">polio vaccine\u003C\u002Fa> to Röntgen’s \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dpma.de\u002Fenglish\u002Four_office\u002Fpublications\u002Fmilestones\u002Finventionsthatmadehistory\u002Froentgensx-rays\u002Findex.html#:~:text=R%C3%B6ntgen%20was%20considered%20an%20introverted,become%20a%20millionaire%20by%20inheritance).\" target=\"_blank\">X-ray machine\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These noble gentlemen would definitely turn in their graves if they saw how far we have come since then: if they saw the price tags for certain drugs today or the pricing policies of certain pharma companies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Many surely remember \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ftc.gov\u002Fnews-events\u002Fnews\u002Fpress-releases\u002F2024\u002F01\u002Fstatement-second-circuit-order-upholding-pharma-bro-martin-shkrelis-lifetime-ban\" target=\"_blank\">ill-famed Martin Shkreli\u003C\u002Fa> and the outrage he caused when he raised the price of Daraprim, a drug that treats the parasitic infection \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.cdc.gov\u002Fparasites\u002Ftoxoplasmosis\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">toxoplasmosis\u003C\u002Fa> and is used in some cases to treat cancer and AIDS, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2015\u002F09\u002F21\u002Fbusiness\u002Fa-huge-overnight-increase-in-a-drugs-price-raises-protests.html?_r=0&pagewanted=all\" target=\"_blank\">from $13.50 to $750.00 per pill\u003C\u002Fa> in 2015, which means a more than a 5,000 percent increase! Although a Bloomberg reporter \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Fvideos\u002F2015-09-21\u002Fwhy-turing-increased-price-of-daraprim-over-500-\" target=\"_blank\">suggested\u003C\u002Fa> it should cost around $1 to make, and Shkreli himself acknowledged the drug takes “very little money” to make, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.huffpost.com\u002Fentry\u002Fmartin-shkreli-aids-drug-price-the-same_n_5aa3117fe4b07047bec694cb?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJ_Hw2-dKv5wlQAxVRIJcWbSTrplnb7wBElDXYp_gQnmAEV2o_GFhiuO96CYx8mPyIF5q1XWOi6hxomEbt91UpJhW49-E0vMWccQHSS2_weonvqQWU5Ff1ZN_hFKPk7aozSu8uB9hctdsiCqu_zprVjlebRIzXaSzlFLhZ4PtI6Q\" target=\"_blank\">the medication still sells for hundreds of dollars\u003C\u002Fa>. Shkreli and his company were able to gouge the price as they acquired the sole rights to the drug’s sale in the U.S. without anyone else offering an alternative. A little side note: Shkreli was \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.npr.org\u002F2022\u002F05\u002F19\u002F1100019063\u002Fpharma-bro-martin-shkreli-been-released-from-prison\" target=\"_blank\">just released from prison\u003C\u002Fa> after he was found guilty of two counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. He was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2018.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although Shkreli’s example is outrageous, he’s not the only one who did something similar. An article in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.nejm.org\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1056\u002FNEJMp1408376\" target=\"_blank\">The New England Journal of Medicine\u003C\u002Fa> focused on how companies buy up the rights to old, inexpensive generic drugs, lock out competitors and raise prices. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For instance, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2015\u002F01\u002F15\u002Fopinion\u002Fwhy-drugs-cost-so-much.html\" target=\"_blank\">albendazole, a drug for certain kinds of parasitic infections was approved back in 1996\u003C\u002Fa>. In 2010, its average wholesale cost was $5.92 per day, but by 2013, it rose to $119.58. Perhaps the most concerning piece of news was, though, that the price of insulin has risen uncontrollably in the United States. The cost of the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjamanetwork.com\u002Fjournals\u002Fjamainternalmedicine\u002Ffullarticle\u002F2717498\" target=\"_blank\">four most popular types of insulin\u003C\u002Fa> has tripled over the past decade, and the out-of-pocket prescription costs patients now face have doubled. By 2016, the average price per month \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F03\u002Fhealth\u002Fdrug-prices-insulin-express-scripts.html\">rose to $450\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, governmental regulation started to take note and act on it. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.govinfo.gov\u002Fapp\u002Fdetails\u002FBILLS-117hr6833pcs\u002Fsummary\">Affordable Insulin Now Act\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pharmaceutical-technology.com\u002Fanalysis\u002Finsulin-pricing-reform-senate\u002F\">was supported by Congress\u003C\u002Fa> in 2022 and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2024\u002F01\u002F01\u002Fpolitics\u002Finsulin-price-cap\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">was approved in 2024\u003C\u002Fa> introducing a $35 cap on insulin prices\u002Fmonth nationwide.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s certain that without efficient regulatory intervention, pharma companies won’t change their exaggerated pricing policies in the U.S. It is visible, for example, that in Western European countries where \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fwhy-the-us-has-higher-drug-prices-than-other-countries-111256\" target=\"_blank\">price controls are in place, medication costs are lower\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Rare diseases, unique therapies, unspeakable prices\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, the problem is not just the increase in the price of generic drugs such as insulin, but also the incredibly high prices of new therapies and treatment options for rare diseases. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The most expensive drug on the market in May 2024 \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fnews-events\u002Fpress-announcements\u002Ffda-approves-first-gene-therapy-children-metachromatic-leukodystrophy\" target=\"_blank\">was Lenmeldy\u003C\u002Fa>, a gene therapy used to treat types of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.drugs.com\u002Fcondition\u002Fmetachromatic-leukodystrophy.html\">metachromatic leukodystrophy\u003C\u002Fa> in children. A single dose costs $4,25 million, and it works by helping the body make the ARSA enzyme to help stop the progression of MLD, it does this using the patient’s own stem cells that have been modified. Lenmeldy is given as a one-time infusion. The FDA approved this drug in March 2024. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_393_CRISPR_gene_editing-768x432.png\" alt=\"gene editing, CRISPR, DNA\" class=\"wp-image-54001\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_393_CRISPR_gene_editing-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_393_CRISPR_gene_editing-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_393_CRISPR_gene_editing.png 1520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another well-known example is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fnews-events\u002Fpress-announcements\u002Ffda-approves-innovative-gene-therapy-treat-pediatric-patients-spinal-muscular-atrophy-rare-disease\" target=\"_blank\">Zolgensma\u003C\u002Fa>, a gene therapy for a rare childhood disease, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fghr.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fcondition\u002Fspinal-muscular-atrophy\" target=\"_blank\">spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)\u003C\u002Fa> caused by a single gene. At the moment, it costs $2.1 million per patient. This experimental therapy means \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.npr.org\u002Fsections\u002Fhealth-shots\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F24\u002F725404168\u002Fat-2-125-million-new-gene-therapy-is-the-most-expensive-drug-ever?t=1566983817416\" target=\"_blank\">infusing the patient with genetically modified viruses carrying healthy copies of the gene needed\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other revolutionary gene therapies are underway – and many fear that while they have the potential to eliminate lethal childhood diseases and other rare conditions, no one’s going to pay for them as their price is set too high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Are the “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.drugs.com\u002Farticle\u002Ftop-10-most-expensive-drugs.html\" target=\"_blank\">most expensive therapies ever\u003C\u002Fa>” really the most expensive ever? \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002F33908277\u002F#:~:text=At%20an%20upfront%20price%20of,characterization%20raises%20important%20methodological%20and\" target=\"_blank\">This study\u003C\u002Fa> tried to assess the values of these therapies and came to the conclusion that economic evaluation of novel therapies requires careful comparison of lifetime cost and benefits vs standard of care, including adjustments for pricing distortions. We also have to note though that the study was funded by Novartis Gene Therapies Inc., so we might have to wait for more research before drawing a final conclusion. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Why are gene therapies so highly priced?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The pricing of medication and therapies is often way too complex and sometimes, as in the above cases of insulin and Daraprim, it seems to be way too arbitrary. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F25\u002Fhealth\u002Fdrug-prices-rare-diseases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Experts say\u003C\u002Fa> that now that cheaper generic drugs account for about 90 percent of all prescriptions filled in the United States, pharmaceutical companies are turning to rare disease treatments and gene therapies as their next profit engine, with major companies like Pfizer and Novartis investing in drugs for tiny pools of patients. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The question arises naturally: should a premium be paid for the treatment of diseases that are considered ‘rare’? What should be a reasonable price for what is called an orphan drug? Is it a viable method that rare disease drugs are priced based on a patient’s weight – meaning that a prescription for an adult costs many times more than one for a child? Could it be the solution when \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2019-04-07\u002Fgene-therapy-was-hailed-as-a-revolution-then-came-the-bill\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">therapies are paid for in installments\u003C\u002Fa>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_409_b-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-55697\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_409_b-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_409_b-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_409_b-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_409_b-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdailynous.com\u002F2015\u002F09\u002F28\u002Fphilosophers-on-drug-prices\u002F\">asked about\u003C\u002Fa> fair pricing on drugs, Samia Hurst bioethicist said that “making a profit from finding, developing, and selling pharmaceuticals is legitimate, although we were never truly clear about what made it so. Perhaps we approve of this profit because we believe that the effort and creativity involved in bringing a new drug to the market deserve to be paid for. Perhaps we consider that the manufacture of a drug also merits payment. Perhaps we are not considering merit at all, but looking to the consequences: we want to incentivize the development of new therapeutic advances. Perhaps we want to guarantee that access to needed medical therapies is kept up by the profit motive”. That all could be a drive behind allowing pharma companies to ask for fair profit margins put above the costs of research and development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fdailynous.com\u002F2015\u002F09\u002F28\u002Fphilosophers-on-drug-prices\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">political philosopher Matt Zwolinski argues\u003C\u002Fa> that those high prices are not only necessary to recoup the cost spent researching and developing that drug but also the hundreds of other drugs that never made it to market. Charging a price that’s well above the “marginal cost of production” is the only way companies can make a normal level of profit over the long run, and therefore the only way to ensure that society gets the new drugs it needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, if we compare \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fprecision-medicine-best-hope-fight-cancer\" target=\"_blank\">personalised thera\u003C\u002Fa>pies with generic solutions that have been used up until now, their advantage is clear. On the one hand, they offer an efficient solution – and heal patients from diseases that were untreatable before, and on the other hand, they are much more cost-efficient in the long run when looking at the entire society. Thus, the development of personalised treatment solutions is definitely the way forward – although companies should come up with better options for payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, the \u003Ca style=\"\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002F22789042\u002F\">Human Rights Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Companies in Relation to Access to Medicines\u003C\u002Fa> specify that “companies must do all they reasonably can to ensure that medicines are available in sufficient quantities in the countries where they are needed.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>They also suggest that companies are \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fdailynous.com\u002F2015\u002F09\u002F28\u002Fphilosophers-on-drug-prices\u002F\">obligated to contribute to the development of drugs for neglected diseases\u003C\u002Fa>. Thus, companies must make sure the drugs they produce are accessible to all patient groups – not just rich patients or those in developed countries, driving others to desperate solutions such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fis-crowdfunding-the-grim-future-of-health-insurance\">crowdfunding\u003C\u002Fa> or not going to the hospital for treatment at all. Only then could gene therapies and other revolutionary healing methods fulfill their potential in making patients’ lives better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs?hl=en&cc_lang_pref=en&cc=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":513,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>We asked the question how much life is worth? A heart can be purchased for $1000000. Livers are worth about $557000 & kidneys cost about $262000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",24604,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[517,518,5,519],511,500,488,[521,522,523,524,525,526,527,528,529,98,530,89,531,532,533,534],846,217,994,229,996,253,1154,255,1455,1456,1457,1458,1459,1460,[],[],[403,538,539,540,541,542,543,544,545,546,547,548,549,550],2239,1609,2241,1613,3271,1633,1883,2215,2217,2219,2227,2233,2235,[552,63,117,118,119,120,121,553,554,123,555,556,557,558,559,560,561,562,563,564,142,565,133,566,567,568,569],"post-24598","category-bioethics","category-biotechnology","category-genomics","tag-insulin","tag-drug","tag-life","tag-ethics","tag-bioethics","tag-gene","tag-medication","tag-gene-therapy","tag-rare-disease","tag-daraprim","tag-drug-price","tag-pricing-policy","tag-rare-disorder","tag-cost",{"id":514,"alt_text":571,"caption":74,"description":74,"media_type":151,"media_details":572,"post":499,"source_url":594},"life worth",{"width":153,"height":154,"file":573,"sizes":574,"image_meta":593},"2019\u002F08\u002F104_How-much-is-life-worth.png",{"medium":575,"large":578,"thumbnail":581,"medium_large":584,"1536x1536":585,"2048x2048":588},{"file":576,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":577},"104_How-much-is-life-worth-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F104_How-much-is-life-worth-370x208.png",{"file":579,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":580},"104_How-much-is-life-worth-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F104_How-much-is-life-worth-768x432.png",{"file":582,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":583},"104_How-much-is-life-worth-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F104_How-much-is-life-worth-150x150.png",{"file":579,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":580},{"file":586,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"source_url":587},"104_How-much-is-life-worth-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F104_How-much-is-life-worth-1536x864.png",{"file":589,"width":590,"height":591,"mime-type":311,"source_url":592},"104_How-much-is-life-worth-2048x1152.png","2048","1152","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F104_How-much-is-life-worth-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F104_How-much-is-life-worth-scaled.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":596,"cta_type":439,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"related_books":600,"key_takeaways":603},[597,598,599],55683,55459,55791,[601,602,446],24765,52203,[604,606,608],{"title":605},"\u003Cp>If you try hard enough, you can put a price tag on everything, from rare butterflies to kidneys and human hearts, everyday and rare treatments and ultimately human health\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":607},"\u003Cp>While there is a serious shortage of available donor organs all over the world, the illegal organ trade can not be stopped, illegal transplants being a trillion-dollar trade globally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":609},"\u003Cp>We need to raise a range of ethical, financial, and philosophical questions when trying to answer the question: how much is life worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":611,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":612,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":507},"How Much Is Life Worth? - The Medical Futurist - Bioethics","We asked the question How Much is Life Worth? A heart can be purchased for $1000000. Livers are worth about $557000 & kidneys cost about $262000",{"self":614,"collection":619,"about":621,"author":623,"replies":625,"version-history":628,"predecessor-version":632,"wp:featuredmedia":636,"wp:attachment":639,"wp:term":642,"curies":653},[615],{"href":616,"targetHints":617},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F24598",{"allow":618},[37],[620],{"href":228},[622],{"href":231},[624],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[626],{"embeddable":51,"href":627},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=24598",[629],{"count":630,"href":631},41,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F24598\u002Frevisions",[633],{"id":634,"href":635},58531,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F24598\u002Frevisions\u002F58531",[637],{"embeddable":51,"href":638},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F24604",[640],{"href":641},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=24598",[643,645,647,649,651],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":644},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=24598",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":646},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=24598",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":648},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=24598",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":650},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=24598",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":652},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=24598",[654],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":21,"date":656,"date_gmt":657,"guid":658,"modified":660,"modified_gmt":661,"slug":662,"status":62,"type":63,"link":663,"title":664,"content":666,"excerpt":668,"author":71,"featured_media":670,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":671,"categories":672,"tags":676,"project_category":701,"contact_email_category":706,"yst_prominent_words":707,"class_list":712,"better_featured_image":745,"acf":768,"yoast_meta":781,"_links":784},"2026-02-09T10:29:23","2026-02-09T09:29:23",{"rendered":659},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13786","2026-02-09T10:29:24","2026-02-09T09:29:24","the-bright-future-of-pharmacies","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-bright-future-of-pharmacies",{"rendered":665},"The Future Of Pharmacies In 3 Scenarios",{"rendered":667,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rapid development of medical technology affects every aspect of medicine and healthcare\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. E\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ven the seemingly most remote and ivory-tower-like institution \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">isn’t impervious to digital health disruption. We are, of course, talking about the pharmacy. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although these institutions play a crucial role in the healing process, the impression about pharmacists and their drug stores is often that they offer a type of commercial\u002Fbusiness-like service. The doctor prescribes the appropriate medicine with the appropriate instructions, and the pharmacist provides it in exchange for money. In short, a clear business.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the medical technological revolution, traditional, clear-cut roles become a thing of the past. Empowered patients have more agency over their health, while new technologies support the democratisation of care; shifting the hierarchical doctor-patient relationship to a partnership level. As patients of the 21st century evolve, so must pharmacies and pharmacists in the age of digital health. They \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have to redefine their place in medicine as well.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">simple drug dispenser will not be enough in a shared and community-based economy.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-30451 size-full\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1136\" height=\"936\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacist-in-the-Drug-Store.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30451\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacist-in-the-Drug-Store.jpg 1136w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacist-in-the-Drug-Store-768x633.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1136px) 100vw, 1136px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.freevector.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indeed, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>as patients are the most underused resources of healthcare, pharmacists are the most underused resources of medicine. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite modern society moulding their profession into medical shopkeeping, pharmacists have much more to offer. They undergo a rigorous educational path comparable to that of physicians but are in a better situation to devote more time to patients. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>A \u003C\u002Fb>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjamanetwork.com\u002Fjournals\u002Fjamanetworkopen\u002Ffullarticle\u002F2768247\">\u003Cb>JAMA study\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cb> even showed that patients visit community pharmacies more often than their primary care physicians. Those community pharmacists thus represent valuable access to a healthcare professional with the added bonus of having more face-to-face time to take advantage of.\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The evolution of pharmacies and pharmacists’ role in the digital health era can take several pathways. In this article, we visualise 3 scenarios for this evolution, but the actual one can be a composite of these scenarios sharing similar features while taking a shape of its own. However, the aim is to better depict the possibilities so as to be prepared for what’s next in the practical world of pharma.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Visualising the future of pharmacies\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With pharmacists and drug stores adapting to the digital health era, several aspects of the pharmacy setting will have to change. From adopting new approaches to letting go of older ones, the pharmacy of the future will pack a different look and a different role. Leading authorities in the pharmaceutical industry already recognise this need for change and share the same point of view. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back in 2013, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society already emphasised in its \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rpharms.com\u002Fresources\u002Freports\u002Fnow-or-never-shaping-pharmacy-for-the-future\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">report about the future of pharmacy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the need for pharmacies to refocus their strategy of just supplying medicines towards providing services that attend to patients’ needs. Published in 2019, the “\u003Cem>NHS Long Term Plan\u003C\u002Fem>” for the future \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthebioagency.com\u002Fnews-and-views\u002Fblog\u002Fthe-pharmacy-of-the-future\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">included the need\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for pharmacists to employ digital technology to improve their services and better interact with patients.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To sum up, the basic concept of the future pharmacist covers the ancient “\u003Cem>mediwitch”\u003C\u002Fem> combined with the 21st-century tech-guru and scientific professional. A mediwitch, who has a special place in a given community, knows their “patients’” histories and provides basic care for their illnesses with appropriate medicine (or in the middle-ages: herbs or infusions). A tech-guru who knows how to decipher data from health trackers and wearables and is able to provide the necessary care based on the data, and of course a real scientific professional who knows the basics as well as the latest developments in pharma and medicine in general.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-30453 size-full\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacy-Robotic-Dispenser.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30453\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacy-Robotic-Dispenser.jpg 950w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacy-Robotic-Dispenser-768x452.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fgalusaustralis.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such a mediwitch-tech-guru would come in handy in rural, remote or smaller communities that have significantly less access to pharmacies. This phenomenon has an impact even \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.eurekalert.org\u002Fpub_releases\u002F2016-08\u002Fosu-lop080216.php\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the readmission data of hospitals\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In rural areas, where people cannot find open pharmacies as often as necessary, researchers found that the readmission data was higher than in urban areas. If the ultimate goal is the improvement of the quality of healing, this phenomenon has to be changed as well.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thankfully, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">technology is at our disposal to help. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So let’s see 3 potential, tech-aided scenarios\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that could have a big impact on pharmacies.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Scenario 1: A boost in medical booths with pharmaceutical offerings \u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A rise in the adoption of medical kiosks to provide pharmaceutical services is the least-likely scenario. These refer to booths located in malls or food courts where patients can enter to have a basic health check and talk to a healthcare professional via telecommunication. Despite some promising offerings, such ventures have already proven to be unsuccessful. One such telemedicine kiosk startup, HealthSpot, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2016\u002F01\u002Fhealthspot-fail-telemedicine\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">went bust in 2015\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; even after reportedly raising over $40 million and forming a joint venture with the Cleveland Clinic. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reasons for its failure are manifold from the overhead associated with building and delivering kiosks to the need to pre-arrange appointments. It wasn’t really healthcare on-demand, and technology has evolved past what these physical kiosks could offer; even our smartphones can achieve more. Whether it’s to keep track of suspicious skin moles, detect Alzheimer’s or measure vital signs such as temperature or oxygen saturation, smartphones are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-smartphone-as-the-swiss-knife-of-digital-health\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the real Swiss Knife of digital health\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-28633 size-full\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01.png\" alt=\"Your smartphone as a swiss knife of digital health\" class=\"wp-image-28633\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> \u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, other companies are still treading along the medical kiosk path with pharmaceutical offerings to expand access to care. In October 2019, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fyou-may-think-youve-seen-this-telemedicine-kiosk-movie-before-but\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the OnMed Station started to operate\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Tampa, Florida. The health kiosk offers telemedicine visits, remote diagnosis and features an automated dispenser for common medications like antibiotics and antihistamines. In comparison to HealthSpot, this kiosk is fully HIPAA-compliant, does not require human staff and can dispense medicine. Another example is that of \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fyou-may-think-youve-seen-this-telemedicine-kiosk-movie-before-but\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the FDA-approved\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Consult Station from \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.h4d.com\u002Fen-uk\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">France-based HD4\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Their medical booth includes telemedicine consultation with portable diagnostic tools such as an EEG and a stethoscope; not unlike those, you could connect with your smartphone.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such booths can be adopted on a smaller scale, but given past hurdles, they might not see the widespread success that they hope to achieve. Moreover, since patients themselves have access to the same technology from the phone in their pocket, pharmacies aren’t likely to invest in such kiosks that have the same features.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Scenario 2: Health consultancies\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wait in line; show your doctor’s prescription; take your medicines; pay the bill. These commercial aspects of pharmacies are all too common. And this perception is all too often at the expense of exchanging important medical information. Ever \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">decided not to ask questions about a drug and\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> leave right after settling the bill \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">because the line was so \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">long? What about not asking about \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vitamins \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and recommendations for mineral supplements \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you were checking before arriving\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">counter? \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maybe \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pharmacists themselves \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">did not have time \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to spare for you \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anyway.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, with the help of digital health offerings, pharmacies can change from the simple drug distribution machines that we’re used to and into health consultancies. This is the more likely scenario in the short term given that technology and organisational schedules already enable it. Pharmacists will have the opportunity to provide basic care to patients with simple problems and\u002For provide health management consultations. This way pharmacies rise to almost the same level as that of primary care practices.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small.jpg\" alt=\"telemedicine and COVID-19\" class=\"wp-image-27309\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small.jpg 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most important \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">factors \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for this development is the grass-root approach to healthcare. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This involves \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare professionals – \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">including \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pharmacists – \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">providing proactive \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">patient care in the location that is most convenient for the patient. When the actual presence of pharmacists is not possible, such solutions as telemedicine fall into place. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.intouchhealth.com\u002F\">Intouch Health\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Cstrong> and its telehealth network patients in remote areas of the U.S. have access to high-quality emergency consultations for stroke, cardiovascular, and burn services in the exact time they need it.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Moreover, with telehealth, medical professionals in such towns and rural areas also have access to speciality services and patients can be treated in their own communities.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is part of the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">so-called\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> point-of-care diagnostics, which allows patient diagnoses in the physician’s office, in an ambulance, at home, in the field, or in the hospital. The results of care are timely and allow rapid treatment to the patient. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, with digital health tools, a whole department’s worth of diagnostic tools can fit in a briefcase. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A digital stethoscope like the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbridge-tradition-innovation-eko-core-digital-stethoscope-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eko Core\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lets users livestream recordings for telemedicine purposes. Portable ultrasound devices like the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthreshold-of-a-new-era-in-diagnostics-philips-lumify-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Philips Lumify\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwireless-and-scanning-the-clarius-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarius\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> deliver real-time high-resolution ultrasound images. The \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffirst-medical-tricorder-viatom-checkme-pro-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Viatom Checkme Pro\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> packs multiple sensors in a single, handheld FDA-approved device to measure ECG, pulse, temperature, sleep quality and more.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>From a practical point of view, we see the biggest potential in this scenario as pharmacies could easily invest in those solutions and offer such diagnostic services. Pharmacists can further help patients analyse the data generated and derive meaningful conclusions from it. \u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>In addition, pharmacists are particularly fit for this purpose as they have the time to dedicate; a luxury that most doctor-patient meetings simply don’t have.\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Scenario 3:  Pharmacies as specialised point-of-care\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This final scenario takes it\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> one step further in imagining the future of pharmacies. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depicts pharmacies as specialised point-of-care centres where personalised therapies are made possible. Such centres will 3D-print multiple medications on a single pill, sequence one’s genome and combine such offerings to customise dosages based on one’s genomic data. Automated dispensers can further load the pills onto delivery drones for at-home deliveries. Such centres will serve as a gateway to access advanced healthcare technologies conveniently.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These possibilities aren’t the figment of our imagination but are existing and available today. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In mainland Europe, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.p3pharmacy.co.uk\u002F10-things-about-automated-dispensing\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30-40% of pharmacies\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> use automated dispensers. Medical drone deliveries are routinely performed \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-in-rwanda\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in Rwanda\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier this year, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fabrx.co.uk\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F06\u002Ffabrxs-pharmaceutical-3d-printer-for-personalised-medicines-m3dimaker-is-now-available\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FabRx released\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the first pharmaceutical 3D printer to manufacture personalised medicines. Their M3DIMAKER allows for the printing of medicines according to the user’s manufacturing needs, which in some cases means one month’s medication (28 pills) in around 8 minutes! Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing kits are getting more affordable and could soon \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F26\u002F905658\u002Fchina-bgi-100-dollar-genome\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cost only $100\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Similar DTC kits are also gaining traction.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1527\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28941\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster.png 1527w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-768x543.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-1536x1087.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1527px) 100vw, 1527px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“\u003Cem>DTC kits will be a big item, likely to speed up faster due to COVID, in the coming 2-3 years\u003C\u002Fem>,” \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thedigitalapothecary.com\u002Fabout\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Timothy Aungst\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at MCPHS University, Worcester, told The Medical Futurist. “\u003Cem>I would expect to see business partnerships strengthen here, and companies like TruePill or Amazon or CVS to push it, possibly Walmart\u003C\u002Fem>.”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, even if some advanced technologies might get integrated in pharmacies sooner, this scenario is still a longer-term one; even though the technologies are already available to make it possible. “\u003Cem>Yes, pharmacists could do it, but again, legal issues or payments need to be addressed despite it making sense,\u003C\u002Fem>” Timothy Aungst added. Indeed, regulatory constraints could hamper this adoption. Nevertheless, such constraints are part of the process of enabling a secured and trusted adoption for the best patient outcomes.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>The future of pharmacies will be human\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite all the tech-talk, a constant element that will be an integral part of the pharmacy of the future is the human element. While in the background automated robotic dispensers will solve logistics and drones will handle deliveries, it’s the human pharmacy staff who will be present at the forefront of the pharmacy.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>With robots handling menial, routine tasks, pharmacists will have more time to dedicate to patients, help them interpret the data from their wearables and tackle challenges requiring creativity. \u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several g\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ood examples out there to demonstrate how these can decrease costs and increase the quality and range of the service pharmacies provide today. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While in this article we discussed the scenarios that pharmacies can take, we also \u003Cstrong>analysed the technologies that will lead to these scenarios in \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-shaping-the-future-of-pharma-e-book\u002F#\">our e-book\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Cstrong> released earlier this year\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":669,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Despite modern society moulding their profession into medical shopkeeping, pharmacists have much more to offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",30493,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[673,78,5,674,675],491,499,494,[677,678,679,680,82,681,682,683,684,99,685,686,687,394,688,101,689,690,691,692,693,694,695,696,697,698,699,700],1020,218,5129,1076,6051,535,313,6057,355,6217,622,6219,406,6221,6223,6225,6227,130,6229,1019,207,4979,519,6231,[702,703,704,705],947,948,951,952,[],[112,405,407,399,708,709,710,711],1723,2613,4763,4907,[713,63,117,118,119,120,121,714,122,123,715,716,717,718,719,720,126,721,722,723,724,143,725,726,727,413,728,145,729,730,731,732,733,734,735,736,737,738,739,740,741,742,743,744],"post-13786","category-empowered-patients","category-healthcare-design","category-telemedicine","tag-philips","tag-dtc","tag-hipaa","tag-clarius","tag-m3dimaker","tag-pharmacies","tag-medicine","tag-fabrx","tag-personalized-medicine","tag-royal-pharmaceutical-society","tag-viatom-checkme-pro","tag-mediwitch","tag-smartphone","tag-medical-booth","tag-healthspot","tag-onmed","tag-hd4","tag-3d-printing-2","tag-intouch-health","tag-lumify","tag-digital-health","tag-digital-pill","tag-gc4","tag-eko-core","project_category-company","project_category-developers","project_category-patients","project_category-policy-makers",{"id":670,"alt_text":746,"caption":747,"description":748,"media_type":151,"media_details":749,"post":766,"source_url":767},"Future of Pharmacies","The pharmacy of the future","As patients are the most underused resources of healthcare, pharmacists are the most underused resources of medicine. That needs to change.",{"width":153,"height":154,"file":750,"sizes":751,"image_meta":765},"2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01.png",{"medium":752,"large":755,"thumbnail":758,"medium_large":761,"1536x1536":762},{"file":753,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":754},"210_tmf-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01-370x208.png",{"file":756,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":757},"210_tmf-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01-768x432.png",{"file":759,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":760},"210_tmf-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01-150x150.png",{"file":756,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":757},{"file":763,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"source_url":764},"210_tmf-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},30459,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01.png",{"cta_type":439,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"related_books":769,"related_posts_footer":772,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":776},[770,771],27927,30419,[773,774,775],16762,29929,29531,[777,779],{"title":778},"\u003Cp>We analyzed three potential scenarios when it comes to using advanced technologies in pharmacies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":780},"\u003Cp>Despite all the tech-talk, a constant element that will be an integral part of the pharmacy of the future is the human element.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":782,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":783,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":663},"The Future Of Pharmacies In 3 Scenarios - The Medical Futurist","The rapid development of medical technology affects every aspect of healthcare – and pharmacies cannot escape its transformative power either.",{"self":785,"collection":790,"about":792,"author":794,"replies":796,"version-history":799,"predecessor-version":803,"wp:featuredmedia":807,"wp:attachment":810,"wp:term":813,"curies":824},[786],{"href":787,"targetHints":788},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13786",{"allow":789},[37],[791],{"href":228},[793],{"href":231},[795],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[797],{"embeddable":51,"href":798},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13786",[800],{"count":801,"href":802},21,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13786\u002Frevisions",[804],{"id":805,"href":806},60303,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13786\u002Frevisions\u002F60303",[808],{"embeddable":51,"href":809},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F30493",[811],{"href":812},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13786",[814,816,818,820,822],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":815},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13786",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":817},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13786",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":819},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13786",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":821},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13786",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":823},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13786",[825],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":827,"date":828,"date_gmt":829,"guid":830,"modified":832,"modified_gmt":833,"slug":834,"status":62,"type":63,"link":835,"title":836,"content":838,"excerpt":840,"author":71,"featured_media":842,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":843,"categories":844,"tags":846,"project_category":847,"contact_email_category":848,"yst_prominent_words":849,"class_list":851,"better_featured_image":854,"acf":875,"yoast_meta":883,"_links":885},60229,"2026-01-27T13:41:51","2026-01-27T12:41:51",{"rendered":831},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=60229&_wpnonce=db1e6de787&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-01-27T13:41:54","2026-01-27T12:41:54","the-medical-futurists-100-digital-health-and-ai-companies-of-2026","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-medical-futurists-100-digital-health-and-ai-companies-of-2026",{"rendered":837},"The Medical Futurist’s 100 Digital Health And AI Companies Of 2026",{"rendered":839,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>I’m proud to introduce The Medical Futurist’s 100 Digital Health and AI Companies of 2026! We have been releasing this list every year since 2017 as a way to highlight companies to watch this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The reason to publish this list is simple: the digital health and AI fields are saturated with hype, and distinguishing the promising players from the noise is a challenge. The annual list is our way of cutting through the clamor to spotlight those we believe are genuinely making strides in this space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Disclosure\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Just like in previous years, we don’t accept any sponsorship or financial support. We do not have any interest or connection in any of the companies listed in the infographic either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">And how do I select them? \u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Through a lot of work. Throughout the year, I interview dozens of companies, I test and review devices and services. Plus, my analyses are based on discussions I have with actors across the digital health and AI landscape. From startups through government authorities to prominent innovators, I look for key values:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>A mindset for innovation\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Truly disruptive technology\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Viable business model\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Clear dedication to digital health or healthcare AI\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Active and transparent communication about their products\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Peer-reviewed studies about their technology are optional, but represent a bonus\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Companies are assigned to primary and secondary categories, such as AI, virtual reality, or health management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What has changed from 2025 to 2026?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The digital health and AI landscapes are always evolving, companies come and go, therefore there have been some changes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Got excluded\u003C\u002Fstrong>: A total of 23 companies from last year’s list are no longer present. The reasons vary: some have ceased operations or went bankcrupt, others have faded from the public eye, a few have pivoted to new directions or merged with other companies. While many of them still provide value, I simply found others that were more present and dynamic on the market. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here they are: 23andme, 3×4 Genetics, Acurable, BeatO, Bloomlife, Dante Labs, etectRX, Eyeque, Heart Sentinel, HeraMed, Hocoma, iDoc24, Imaware, Medwand, Microsoft Hololens, Nuance Communications, Oncompass Medicine, PilloVR, ResApp, SayHeart, Sensely, Urbandroid, and Woebot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Changed name\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Three companies have changed names. Arterys is called Tempus Radiology, Augmedix is Commure and Propeller Health is ResMed now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"566\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FThe-Medical-Futurist_The-Top-100-Health-Company-small-768x566.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-60231\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FThe-Medical-Futurist_The-Top-100-Health-Company-small-768x566.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FThe-Medical-Futurist_The-Top-100-Health-Company-small-1536x1132.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FThe-Medical-Futurist_The-Top-100-Health-Company-small.png 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F01\u002FThe-Medical-Futurist_The-Top-100-Health-Company-small.png\"\u003C\u002Fa>A high-resolution version is available here\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The new additions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here is the list of the newcomers: RingConn, RedDrop, YourBio, FusionVital, MediPredict, Whoop, Sidekick Health, Suki AI, Viz.ai, Qure.ai, Caresyntax, Moon Surgical, Turbine, Owkin, DeepScribe, Levels, BioIntelliSense, Kohler Health, Hyfe, Bioliberty, fundamental XR, Belong.life, and Eli.health.\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some insights about the 23 new additions.\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Health management is the center of gravity\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Look at how many of the new additions converge on health management, even when they come from different angles: RingConn, FusionVital, MediPredict, Whoop, Levels, BioIntelliSense, Kohler Health, Hyfe, Belong.life, and Eli.health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Health management has become the default destination. Devices, AI, lab testing, and platforms are converging toward continuous health oversight. That’s a structural change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Col start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Lab testing is moving closer to people, not hospitals\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>RedDrop, YourBio, and Eli.health stand out. All three focus on making lab testing easier, more frequent, and more accessible. It’s all about decentralized sampling. The lab is no longer a place, but it’s becoming a service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Col start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>AI companies are clustering around specific clinical friction points\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Problem-specific AI arises! AI for diagnosis, documentation, surgery, clinical trials or drug discovery. Just look at some of the newcomers:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Viz.ai → diagnostics and workflow acceleration\u003Cbr>Qure.ai → imaging diagnostics at scale\u003Cbr>DeepScribe, Suki AI → documentation and cognitive load\u003Cbr>Caresyntax → surgical intelligence\u003Cbr>Turbine, Owkin → drug discovery\u003Cbr>Belong.life → patient-facing AI support\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As usual, I’ll keep an eye on all of them and also keep watching the space for you. You just have to follow and subscribe to get all the insights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":841,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>I’m proud to introduce The Medical Futurist’s 100 Digital Health and AI Companies of 2026! We have been releasing this list every year since 2017 […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",30023,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[289,290,78,5,845],496,[],[],[],[112,541,405,296,850],5999,[852,63,117,118,119,120,121,299,300,122,123,853],"post-60229","category-health-sensors-trackers",{"id":842,"alt_text":855,"caption":855,"description":856,"media_type":151,"media_details":857,"post":774,"source_url":874},"TOP100 digital companies 2020 – The Medical Futurist","The Medical Futurist decided to compile the 100 most promising digital health companies in an easy-to-understand infographic",{"width":153,"height":154,"file":858,"sizes":859,"image_meta":873},"2020\u002F09\u002F0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01.png",{"medium":860,"large":863,"thumbnail":866,"medium_large":869,"1536x1536":870},{"file":861,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":862},"0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01-370x208.png",{"file":864,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":865},"0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01-768x432.png",{"file":867,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":868},"0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01-150x150.png",{"file":864,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":865},{"file":871,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"source_url":872},"0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F0907_top100_2020_infographics-cover-01.png",{"cta_type":74,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"key_takeaways":876,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[877,879,881],{"title":878},"\u003Cp>I’m proud to introduce The Medical Futurist’s 100 Digital Health and AI Companies of 2026!\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":880},"\u003Cp>Just like in previous years, we don’t accept any sponsorship or financial support. We do not have any interest or connection in any of the companies listed in the infographic either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":882},"\u003Cp>Here are also 3 insights about the 23 new additions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":884,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":74,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":835},"The Medical Futurist's 100 Digital Health And AI Companies Of 2026 - The Medical Futurist",{"self":886,"collection":891,"about":893,"author":895,"replies":897,"version-history":900,"predecessor-version":904,"wp:featuredmedia":908,"wp:attachment":911,"wp:term":914,"curies":925},[887],{"href":888,"targetHints":889},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F60229",{"allow":890},[37],[892],{"href":228},[894],{"href":231},[896],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[898],{"embeddable":51,"href":899},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=60229",[901],{"count":902,"href":903},1,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F60229\u002Frevisions",[905],{"id":906,"href":907},60233,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F60229\u002Frevisions\u002F60233",[909],{"embeddable":51,"href":910},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F30023",[912],{"href":913},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=60229",[915,917,919,921,923],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":916},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=60229",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":918},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=60229",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":920},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=60229",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":922},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=60229",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":924},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=60229",[926],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":928,"date":929,"date_gmt":930,"guid":931,"modified":933,"modified_gmt":934,"slug":935,"status":62,"type":63,"link":936,"title":937,"content":939,"excerpt":941,"author":285,"featured_media":943,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":944,"categories":945,"tags":949,"project_category":950,"contact_email_category":951,"yst_prominent_words":952,"class_list":959,"better_featured_image":965,"acf":986,"yoast_meta":992,"_links":994},58151,"2026-01-20T15:40:48","2026-01-20T14:40:48",{"rendered":932},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58151&_wpnonce=4c8646a66e&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-01-20T15:40:50","2026-01-20T14:40:50","8-top-pharma-trends-in-the-digital-health-and-ai-era","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F8-top-pharma-trends-in-the-digital-health-and-ai-era",{"rendered":938},"8 Top Pharma Trends In The Digital Health and AI Era",{"rendered":940,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>In the midst of the digital health era, the pharmaceutical industry has been experiencing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-things-that-will-dominate-the-2020s-for-pharma-companies\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a rapid evolution\u003C\u002Fa>. Thanks to the new paradigms that novel healthcare delivery approaches and digital health technologies have brought about, pharma companies need to adopt \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-ai-and-digital-health-future-of-pharma-prescription-for-change\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new strategies\u003C\u002Fa> and consider new investment opportunities to stay relevant in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In this article, we cover 8 major trends for pharma companies to consider in the digital health era. We rank them based on their return-on-investment (ROI) and return-on-vision (ROV). The latter is particularly relevant in this era considering its rapid rate of evolution. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To better appreciate the importance of ROV, we can consider the Apollo program. While it was focused on space exploration, the endeavour has resulted in a multitude of spin-off products across various fields. In the healthcare sector, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.space.com\u002F731-nasa-spin-offs-bringing-space-earth.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">those spin-offs range from\u003C\u002Fa> medical imaging to innovations in dental care. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such, current investments can have wide ranging applications in the future. From AI in drug development to digital therapeutics, a host of new technologies and trends hold promising ROI and ROV for pharma companies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>We share a collection of 8 major ones below, ordered from the most practical and promising to the least ones.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Artificial Intelligence for drug research and development\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The process of drug research and development has traditionally been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\">a time-consuming and labour-intensive one\u003C\u002Fa>. This has involved \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\">considerable trial-and-error research\u003C\u002Fa> before a drug can proceed to further developmental stages. This process can be made more time- and cost-efficient \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdrug-discovery-in-the-age-of-ai\u002F\">with the assistance of artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Fa> (AI).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52039\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-medium-font-size\">AI models, such as those developed by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.benevolent.com\u002F\">Benevolent AI\u003C\u002Fa>, can analyse \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fcouncils\u002Fforbesbusinesscouncil\u002F2024\u002F02\u002F29\u002Fai-is-rapidly-transforming-drug-discovery\u002F\">significant amounts of datasets\u003C\u002Fa> from scientific literature, clinical records and chemical databases in a more time efficient manner than humans can. From this information, they can precisely identify targets and how potential drugs will interact with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.schrodinger.com\u002F\">Schrödinger\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.google\u002Ftechnology\u002Fai\u002Fgoogle-deepmind-isomorphic-alphafold-3-ai-model\u002F\">Google DeepMind\u003C\u002Fa> have used AI for drug formulation. Their software predicts the behaviour of drug candidates and assess their safety and effectiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. New reimbursement models\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pharma companies can tap into the new healthcare experience that patients can have in the digital health era to offer more than just medication. By combining medication and technology packages, they can offer more enticing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Feurope\u002Fnews\u002Fitem\u002F13-11-2023-reimbursing-health-care-providers-for-the-use-of-digital-health-tools-is-key-to-accessing-new-technologies--study-shows\">reimbursement models\u003C\u002Fa> for both payers and providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-768x433.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26335\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-512x289.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>There have been several examples of such innovative models in the past that combine pharmaceuticals with technology. GSK has worked with Propeller Health \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002F48885\u002Fgsk-ventures-into-connected-inhaler-space-with-propeller-health-deal\">on smart inhalers\u003C\u002Fa>. Partners Healthcare Center and Japanese drug maker Daichii-Sankyo \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fdepth-pharma%E2%80%99s-digital-health-initiatives-move-commercialization\">teamed up\u003C\u002Fa> to bring a connected wearable for patients with atrial fibrillation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital tools \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Feurope\u002Fnews\u002Fitem\u002F13-11-2023-reimbursing-health-care-providers-for-the-use-of-digital-health-tools-is-key-to-accessing-new-technologies--study-shows\">have been shown to improve\u003C\u002Fa> health outcomes while minimising financial costs. With such offerings, pharma companies can make their products stand out while being beneficial for both patients and insurance providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Large language models for improved workflow and customer service\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Large language models (LLMs) have been popularised by tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Beyond the hype, the technology is a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-it-is-important-to-understand-multimodal-large-language-models-in-healthcare\">practical trend\u003C\u002Fa> in the pharma industry.  LLMs can boost a company’s efficiency by optimising internal operations and customer service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52139\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Roche’s internal LLM tool, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fdavedrodge_chatgpt-health-rochegpt-activity-7111805972209090561-ATUk\u002F\">Roche GPT\u003C\u002Fa>, assists the pharma company’s team in optimising repetitive tasks and share knowledge. The tool further supports their business by automating structured data extraction about therapies and patients from scientific articles and clinical test results. Pfizer has also deployed \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdigiday.com\u002Fmarketing\u002Fwith-charlie-pfizer-is-building-a-new-generative-ai-platform-for-pharma-marketing\u002F\">a similar tool\u003C\u002Fa> to help with its marketing efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>LLMs could further be used to improve customer service. With an LLM-powered chatbot, patients \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-it-is-important-to-understand-multimodal-large-language-models-in-healthcare\">can get answers to their queries\u003C\u002Fa> such as medication side effects in their native language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Automation in the supply chain\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The pharma industry’s supply chain stands to gain a lot by embracing automation in its midst. For example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaphorum.com\u002Frd\u002Freducing-drug-shortages-power-ai-pharma-supply-chain-management\">by integrating AI\u003C\u002Fa>, drug shortages can be averted. By analysing data from various sources, AI software can forecast potential disruptions and suggest adequate measures to ensure a steady supply of essential medication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-768x432.png\" alt=\"future of pharma\" class=\"wp-image-26469\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Automation in the supply chain does not only involve AI software but robotics is also part of the picture. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.densorobotics.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fmedical-pharmaceutical\u002F\">Denso Robotics\u003C\u002Fa>’ robots are capable of automating tasks in the manufacturing process. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fexoskeleton-technology\u002F\">Exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> are another example of robotics assistance. While not fully automating tasks, they augment manual factory workers’ ability to carry heavy loads and working in uncomfortable positions. In the future, we can even expect automated drone deliveries to be carried out within manufacturing sites and beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Digital therapeutics \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Using software as treatment might have sounded like a science fiction concept a decade or so ago, but this prospect is very real and promising with the advent of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-new-buzz-these-are-the-top-examples-of-digital-therapeutics\u002F\">digital therapeutics (DTx)\u003C\u002Fa>. DTx can be described as evidence-based software applications designed to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"pharmacy smart watch DTx\" class=\"wp-image-36065\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>The accessibility, privacy and minimal side effects that DTx provide have enticed pharma companies to invest in this trend. Pfizer has teamed with Sidekick Health to launch \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002F67510798\">a DTx solution for atopic dermatitis\u003C\u002Fa>. Eli Lilly also partnered with Sidekick Health to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Feli-lilly-taps-sidekick-health-tailor-smartphone-apps-breast-cancer-patients\">develop apps to support\u003C\u002Fa> breast cancer treatment. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2021\u002F11\u002F16\u002F22785609\u002Fvr-chronic-pain-fda\">RelieVRx\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdtxalliance.org\u002Fproducts\u002Fhellobetter-chronicpain\u002F\">HelloBetter\u003C\u002Fa> integrate cognitive behavioural therapy principles in their apps to ease chronic pain. We share more promising DTx examples in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-new-buzz-these-are-the-top-examples-of-digital-therapeutics\u002F\">a dedicated article\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. 3D bioprinting\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another scifi-like but promising trend in the industry is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-bioprinting-companies\u002F\">3D Bioprinting\u003C\u002Fa>. This technique involves the “printing” of living tissues, such as blood vessels, bones or skin, via the additive manufacturing technology of 3D printing. It requires living cells and a nurturing environment provided by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealth.howstuffworks.com\u002Fmedicine\u002Fmodern-technology\u002F3-d-bioprinting.htm#pt3\">a microgel\u003C\u002Fa>. The ability to print human tissues implies that the need for animal testing could be a thing of the past while demonstrating more accurate results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"TMF, bioprinting companies\" class=\"wp-image-21550\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Several companies have investigated 3D bioprinting over the years, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-bioprinting-companies\u002F\">with different rates of success\u003C\u002Fa>. However, the potential of the approach has caught the interest of major pharmaceutical players who have ongoing partnerships with 3D bioprinting companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Novo Nordisk and Aspect Biosystems \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aspectbiosystems.com\u002Fnews-resources\u002Fnovo-nordisk-partnership-to-develop-bioprinted-tissue-therapeutics-for-diabetes-and-obesity\">are collaborating\u003C\u002Fa> to develop bioprinted tissue therapeutics with the aim of developing treatments for diabetes and obesity. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Forganovo.com\u002Fabout\u002Fwho-we-are\u002F\">Organovo\u003C\u002Fa> uses its 3D bioprinting technology to create human models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This helps them better understand and develop drug therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. 3D printed drugs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While at a relatively nascent stage, 3D printed drugs have made strides since Spritam, the first 3D-printed prescription drug to treat symptoms of epilepsy, was \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Frobertszczerba\u002F2015\u002F08\u002F04\u002Ffda-approves-first-3-d-printed-drug\u002F#21226e315675\">approved by the FDA\u003C\u002Fa> in 2015. UK-based FabRx is already studying the efficacy and customisation of 3D printed drugs in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprinting.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffirst-3d-printed-pediatric-medicine-trials-to-begin-in-europe\u002F\">the first paediatric clinical trial\u003C\u002Fa> of such medications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36297\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited.png 1527w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>3D printing drugs is a promising trend for personalised medication based on individual patient’s needs. For example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprint.com\u002F261126\u002Fresearchers-3d-print-six-different-drugs-multi-layered-polypill\u002F\">multi-layered, 3D printed “polypills”\u003C\u002Fa> can contain several drugs in one pill to assist patients in medication adherence. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The ability to 3D print drugs can also decentralise drug manufacturing, bringing the production of medication closer to the point of care. Pharmacies could 3D print customised pills and improve medication access to underserved areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>8. \u003Cem>in silico\u003C\u002Fem> clinical trials\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fin-silico-trials-are-the-future\u002F\">\u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>clinical trials\u003C\u002Fa> promise to enable the conduction of experiments wholly via computer simulation, without the need for animal or human testing. By running drug trials on computer simulations of organs, this approach can be both time and cost effective while circumventing the side effects on live participants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png\" alt=\"in silico trials, synthetic data, artificial patient, TMF\" class=\"wp-image-24545\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>While this promise has yet to be fully realised, progress has been made towards it. The Wyss Institute \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwyss.harvard.edu\u002Ftechnology\u002Fhuman-organs-on-chips\u002F\">has developed organs-on-a-chip\u003C\u002Fa> to emulate the complex structures and functions of living human organs. Their technology has been leveraged by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Femulatebio.com\u002F\">Emulate Inc\u003C\u002Fa> for efficient drug development. The mathematical model of human physiology created by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhummod.org\u002F\">HumMod\u003C\u002Fa> has been used in \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fhummod.org\u002Fprojects\u002F\">several research projects\u003C\u002Fa>. Further envisioning a future trending towards \u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>trials, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vph-institute.org\u002F\">Virtual Physiological Human Institute\u003C\u002Fa> has been set up to encourage the effective adoption of \u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>medical research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The future of the pharma industry relies on patient design\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These 8 trends hold tremendous potential for the future of the pharmaceutical industry. From personalised care to efficient supply chains, pharma companies integrating such approaches can consider their investments beyond ROI but also as investments in the future of the field thanks to the considerable ROV they represent. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, such endeavours will be in vain if companies don’t embrace patient design. This entails the involvement of patients at the highest level of decision-making processes. In the digital health age, patients are more empowered than ever and want to have their voices heard in matters that impact their health. This is exemplified by patient-led \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fopenaps.org\u002F\">DIY artificial pancreas\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.digitaltrends.com\u002Fcool-tech\u002Fdiy-medicine-expert-interview\u002F\">DIY medicine\u003C\u002Fa> movements. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why is Patient Design Essential in Healthcare? \u002F Episode 6 - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FhjPcpVaJ9xU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The FDA has even acknowledged the importance of patient design and has established its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fadvisory-committees\u002Fcommittees-and-meeting-materials\u002Fpatient-engagement-advisory-committee\">Patient Engagement Advisory Committee\u003C\u002Fa>. Pharma companies should adopt a similar approach and include patient input in their midst. For example, they can utilise platforms such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.antidote.me\u002F\">Antidote\u003C\u002Fa> to help patients find the right clinical trial while cutting costs incurred due to delays in finding participants. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Patients can give invaluable insights to companies with their experience as medication users and benefit the drug development process. It’s a win-win situation that begins by adopting the principles of patient design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":942,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>We share a collection of 8 major ones below, ordered from the most practical and promising to the least ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",36305,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[289,5,946,674,947,180,948],802,489,515,[],[],[],[403,953,295,711,539,541,405,954,955,956,109,957,958],4491,1625,1885,3201,3341,4483,[960,63,117,118,119,120,121,299,123,961,715,962,963,964],"post-58151","category-health-insurance","category-personalized-medicine","category-robotics","category-science-fiction",{"id":943,"alt_text":74,"caption":74,"description":966,"media_type":151,"media_details":967,"post":984,"source_url":985},"Digital tools disrupting the supply chains of Pharma",{"width":153,"height":154,"file":968,"sizes":969,"image_meta":983},"2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02.png",{"medium":970,"large":973,"thumbnail":976,"medium_large":979,"1536x1536":980},{"file":971,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":972},"tmf_article_291_A-02-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-370x208.png",{"file":974,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":975},"tmf_article_291_A-02-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-768x432.png",{"file":977,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":978},"tmf_article_291_A-02-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-150x150.png",{"file":974,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":975},{"file":981,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"source_url":982},"tmf_article_291_A-02-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-1536x864.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},17427,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02.png",{"cta_type":74,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"key_takeaways":987,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[988,990],{"title":989},"\u003Cp>With the rapidly evolving pace of the healthcare landscape in the digital health era, pharmaceutical companies have to adopt new strategies and consider new investment opportunities to stay relevant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":991},"\u003Cp>We share 8 major trends, ranked based on their return-on-investment and return-on-vision; because a long-term vision is necessary to stay up-to-date in this space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":993,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":74,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":936},"8 Top Pharma Trends In The Digital Health and AI Era - The Medical Futurist",{"self":995,"collection":1000,"about":1002,"author":1004,"replies":1006,"version-history":1009,"predecessor-version":1013,"wp:featuredmedia":1017,"wp:attachment":1020,"wp:term":1023,"curies":1034},[996],{"href":997,"targetHints":998},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58151",{"allow":999},[37],[1001],{"href":228},[1003],{"href":231},[1005],{"embeddable":51,"href":341},[1007],{"embeddable":51,"href":1008},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58151",[1010],{"count":1011,"href":1012},7,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58151\u002Frevisions",[1014],{"id":1015,"href":1016},58183,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58151\u002Frevisions\u002F58183",[1018],{"embeddable":51,"href":1019},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F36305",[1021],{"href":1022},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58151",[1024,1026,1028,1030,1032],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":1025},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58151",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":1027},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58151",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":1029},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58151",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":1031},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58151",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":1033},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58151",[1035],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":1037,"date":1038,"date_gmt":1039,"guid":1040,"modified":1042,"modified_gmt":1043,"slug":1044,"status":62,"type":63,"link":1045,"title":1046,"content":1048,"excerpt":1050,"author":71,"featured_media":1052,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":1053,"categories":1054,"tags":1055,"project_category":1056,"contact_email_category":1057,"yst_prominent_words":1058,"class_list":1063,"better_featured_image":1065,"acf":1091,"yoast_meta":1099,"_links":1101},60151,"2026-01-14T11:24:43","2026-01-14T10:24:43",{"rendered":1041},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=60151&_wpnonce=d0673b2b65&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-01-14T11:24:44","2026-01-14T10:24:44","top-digital-health-and-healthcare-ai-trends-to-watch-in-2026","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-digital-health-and-healthcare-ai-trends-to-watch-in-2026",{"rendered":1047},"Top Digital Health And Healthcare AI Trends To Watch In 2026",{"rendered":1049,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>As a professional futurist, I don’t see any value in sharing hard predictions because it implies that only one future exists and it’s possible to predict milestones on its singular timeline. However, as there are multiple futures ahead and we have a direct impact on which one will unfold, I find highlighting trends more useful in today’s decision-making.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So, just like every year, I share not predictions for the upcoming year but medical and healthcare technological trends it’s worth paying attention to. As my job as The Medical Futurist is analyzing every single major announcement, study and press release, and even more importantly, making sense of those for a worldwide audience, there are some exciting trends and developments that stand out for 2026.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But before I do that, here are some quick comments on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-10-healthcare-technology-trends-to-watch-in-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">last year’s trends\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>2025 will be the year of practical longevity: perfectly happening!\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>AI scribes on the rise: 2025 was the year of AI scribes.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Ozempic’s connection to digital health: there are some remote care services offering GLP-1 agonists, but the connection with digital health devices is still not a mainstream idea.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>CGMs for not only diabetic patients: Millions of patients started using CGMs without having diabetes.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Generative AI across the healthcare spectrum: Show me a pharma company or even a regulator that doesn’t use generative AI today.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>SLMs bring AI to the masses: I think small language models that can mimic what LLMs to but even without access to the internet have a higher potential than what they have been used for so far.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Futures methods becoming mainstream: Sporadic examples exist, but we are still far from my vision of healthcare leaders using futures methods with ease. I was way too optimistic.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And now, here are some trends that are worth highlighting for 2026.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trends I’m very positive about\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1) LLMs join the race for healthcare\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As of the beginning of 2026, here is the current status of large language models in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>OpenAI launched ChatGPT health to encourage users to upload medical histories, records and data.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Anthropic did the same with Claude a few days later.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>In the meantime, Google has reportedly removed some AI Overviews for health-related questions following an investigation that found that some of the information was misleading. Gemini has no health version.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>DeepSeek has been quiet about health.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Grok: Last June, Elon Musk said: “You can upload your X-rays or MRI images to Grok and it will give you a medical diagnosis.” Which is outright dangerous. Still, they have no health-related version.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It seems we have two winners of generative AI’s healthcare race so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2) Blood collection at home\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine a world where routine blood tests no longer require a trip to the clinic. No waiting rooms, no needles, no appointments. Just you, at home, taking control of your health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We can witness the first versions of this technology, but the promise is there, and some companies have already started to deliver results. Virtually painless blood collection is already possible with easy-to-follow instructions and compatibility with various lab tests. I’ve \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fat-home-blood-sampling-tasso-reddrop-and-yourbio-reviews\">tested three of them already\u003C\u002Fa>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002FZZA9339-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58987\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002FZZA9339-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002FZZA9339.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">3) Robots taking blood: get used to it\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A few years ago, it sounded outright crazy to take blood samples with a robotic device. But now, robots like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwould-you-let-a-robot-take-your-blood-sample\">Vitestro’s device\u003C\u002Fa> have demonstrated the ability to draw blood with high accuracy, potentially surpassing human professionals in some instances and streamlining the blood-drawing process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fbertalanmesko_blood-draw-was-prone-to-automation-the-activity-7416741603748253696-hZtE?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAC6qX0But_B5KzU1igXjIINLJoazhoVNc0\">This new video\u003C\u002Fa> shows their Aletta® Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device™ performing a diagnostic blood draw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The patient sits in, the robot finds a suitable vein with ultrasound, helps position the arm and performs sample collection and bandage application. If multiple tubes are needed, it will fill them one by one. Everything is automated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The device is CE marked in Europe, but in the US, it is an investigational device and is not yet approved by the FDA. That will come too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">4) A shift in longevity from miracle drugs to an everyday approach\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Longevity is no longer about waiting for a miracle drug that will either reverse aging or make aging a chronic condition we can treat. Maybe that will come. But longevity has recently shifted towards being an everyday approach that everyone can learn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Just look at my own journey experiencing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Finside-the-worlds-most-comprehensive-longevity-package\">the world’s most comprehensive longevity package\u003C\u002Fa> and what I have learnt along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">5) Discovering healthcare navigators and concierge services\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the age of digital health and lifestyle medicine, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-rise-of-digital-health-coaches-health-navigators-and-medical-concierges\">three new patient-centered professions\u003C\u002Fa> are gaining prominence as healthcare becomes more complex and personalised: \u003Cem>digital health coaches\u003C\u002Fem>, who use technology (apps, wearables, AI insights) to provide tailored guidance on diet, exercise, mental well-being, and chronic condition support; \u003Cem>digital patient navigators\u003C\u002Fem>, who help individuals traverse the increasingly digitised healthcare system, improve access to services and address digital literacy gaps; and \u003Cem>medical or concierge doctors\u003C\u002Fem>, who offer enhanced, membership-based care with longer consultations, proactive lifestyle support, and closer follow-ups, blending traditional care with personalised wellness guidance: all reflecting a shift from episodic clinical encounters to continuous, technology-enabled lifestyle-oriented care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">6) The beginning of the HRV era\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Wearables and digital health devices have always had eras, first focusing on fitness activities, then sleep, then ECG, then smartwatches, and the list goes on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I think the newest era will be centered around understanding the importance of HRV or heart rate variability. HRV means the tiny fluctuations in the time intervals between consecutive heartbeats. These variations reflect the balance between the sympathetic (“fight-or-flight”) and parasympathetic (“rest-and-digest”) branches of the autonomic nervous system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F09\u002FZZA9142-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59055\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F09\u002FZZA9142-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F09\u002FZZA9142.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>By continuously monitoring HRV along with heart rate, respiration rate, and movement, the sensor can distinguish between periods of stress, recovery, physical activity, and sleep. Advanced algorithms then interpret these signals to reveal how the body responds to daily demands, offering an objective view of physiological load and resilience. I \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-health-sensor-that-gave-me-the-most-practical-insights\">tested one and shared my experience\u003C\u002Fa> with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">7) The year AI scribes break through\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>More and more health institutions share such stories about how AI scribes can help doctors focus fully on patients, improve visit summaries and reduce burnout. This is the promise of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-ai-scribes-in-2025-the-top-3-practical-benefits\">AI scribes\u003C\u002Fa>: to reduce the administrative burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>No matter what hurdles make their implementation hard, it still cannot be compared to physicians spending their precious time on administration. And it’s important that as the medical provider walks into an exam room, they let the patient know that they’re using a new note-taking tool that looks like any other app on a smartphone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If consent and transparency are not part of the conversation, a lot of lawsuits will come to light. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalxpress.com\u002Fnews\u002F2026-01-ai-exam-room-lawsuit-alleges.html\">For example\u003C\u002Fa>, a US medical practice started using AI scribes as part of a pilot to ease the administrative burden, and recently got sued because they “recorded conversations between doctors and their patients without written consent”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_435-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58461\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_435-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_435-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_435-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_435-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">8) Generative AI at pharma companies\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This trend is based on a simple observation. Show me a pharma company that doesn’t use large language models to optimize workflows within the organization or generative AI in drug discovery. Then describe why they have lost their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As proof of that, NVIDIA and Eli Lilly \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnvidianews.nvidia.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnvidia-and-lilly-announce-co-innovation-lab-to-reinvent-drug-discovery-in-the-age-of-ai\">just announced\u003C\u002Fa> the launch of a Co-Innovation AI Lab that will bring together a world-leading, multidisciplinary team of scientists, AI researchers and engineers to address the hardest problems in drug discovery. They will also pioneer robotics and physical AI to accelerate and scale medicine discovery and production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>My favorite kind of collaboration that I’ve been talking about for years: a pharma company teaming up with a tech giant, instead of looking at them as a competitor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Expect similar news from other pharma companies; however, Lilly took the biggest step forward by working together with the leading tech giant in the AI race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trends I’m more cautious about\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1) Earables having their momentum\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are so many different types of wearables measuring health data and vital signs, that maybe hearing-related technologies have been left out of the conversations so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS2950435X25000599#fig0015\">comprehensive study\u003C\u002Fa> of healthcare monitoring with earables analyzed how many things it’s possible today to measure or detect with devices put into our ears. The list is staggering: heart rate and heart rate variability and atrial fibrillation detection to blood pressure estimation, and tinnitus management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_432-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58249\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_432-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_432-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_432-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_432-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2) AI getting into the practical patient journey\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>AI is no longer a distant promise in healthcare, but it has quietly become a companion at every step of the patient journey. From the moment someone checks a symptom at home to the way they’re triaged in an emergency department or guided through recovery after discharge, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fai-in-the-patient-journey-infographic\">AI tools are weaving themselves into everyday care.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This transformation is less about robots replacing doctors and more about invisible digital helpers that translate reports, flag drug interactions, analyze scans, and even pick up subtle changes in a patient’s voice or vital signs. In this article, we explore how these technologies shape each stage of the patient experience — at home, on the road, in the hospital, and back home again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But, if a patient cannot afford to use ChatGPT Pro or a skin checking app, will they suffer the disadvantages?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">3) Has the time of medical tricorders finally come?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Think of the medical tricorder from Star Trek—a handheld marvel that turns uncertainty into clarity with a simple scan. It’s a decades-old concept and while some devices aimed at providing the benefits of combining multiple measurements in one device, they have failed. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, we’re now witnessing the gradual shift from clinic-based testing to home-based diagnostics. I tested one device, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-promise-of-the-medical-tricorder-meet-the-withings-beamo\">BeamO\u003C\u002Fa>, that might be built for that future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_440-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58761\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_440-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_440-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_440-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_440-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trends I don’t expect much from\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1) Digital twins directly for consumers\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The concept is amazing, but when you start using it in practice, the results will let you down. Recently, digital twins (AI‑powered, real‑time virtual replicas of individual patients) have emerged as one of the most transformative innovations in personalized medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-can-you-learn-from-your-digital-twin-biotwin-review\">tested such a service\u003C\u002Fa>, and what I have learn along the way is that we might be in the phase where many companies will call their products digital twins, just like how many companies announced that they would be using machine learning, while in fact, it might have only been an Excel spreadsheet and a macro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2) Digital health in our toilets\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The technology behind \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fis-it-time-to-equip-our-toilets-with-health-sensors\">smart toilets\u003C\u002Fa> can provide people with greater visibility into the health of their internal organs and help them make informed decisions. But do we really want tech companies to invade our safest place on Earth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This emerging trend might be apt for specific segments of the population, but it does raise newfound concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article__-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59825\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article__-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article__-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article__.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">3) Subscription-based wearables\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I like the idea of buying a wearable device and benefiting from using it to improve my health. If I have to buy additional services to analyze more data, I cannot get to love the concept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Still, it seems that companies developing health sensors or portable diagnostic devices are gradually seeing more value in subscription-based services than just purely selling their product.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>See Eko, Whoop, Kardia or Withings as examples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>In the meantime, we at The Medical Futurist, will be here to analyze everything that matters in healthcare and medicine for you, even in 2026.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1051,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>As a professional futurist, I don’t see any value in sharing hard predictions because it implies that only one future exists and it’s possible to […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",54109,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[290,78,5,845],[],[],[],[112,405,399,1059,708,296,544,1060,1061,1062],1683,2317,3293,5521,[1064,63,117,118,119,120,121,300,122,123,853],"post-60151",{"id":1052,"alt_text":74,"caption":74,"description":74,"media_type":151,"media_details":1066,"post":1089,"source_url":1090},{"width":153,"height":154,"file":1067,"filesize":1068,"sizes":1069,"image_meta":1087},"2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_394.png",763382,{"medium":1070,"large":1074,"thumbnail":1078,"medium_large":1082,"1536x1536":1083},{"file":1071,"width":159,"height":160,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1072,"source_url":1073},"tmf_article_394-370x208.png",68310,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_394-370x208.png",{"file":1075,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1076,"source_url":1077},"tmf_article_394-768x432.png",189131,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_394-768x432.png",{"file":1079,"width":170,"height":170,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1080,"source_url":1081},"tmf_article_394-150x150.png",24066,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_394-150x150.png",{"file":1075,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1076,"source_url":1077},{"file":1084,"width":175,"height":176,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1085,"source_url":1086},"tmf_article_394-1536x864.png",500966,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_394-1536x864.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195,"keywords":1088},[],54095,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_394.png",{"cta_type":74,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"key_takeaways":1092,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[1093,1095,1097],{"title":1094},"\u003Cp>Just like every year, I share not predictions for the upcoming year but medical and healthcare technological trends it’s worth paying attention to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1096},"\u003Cp>I highlight trends I’m very positive about, trends I’m more cautious about, and trends I don’t expect much from this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1098},"\u003Cp>In the meantime, we at The Medical Futurist, will be here to analyze everything that matters in healthcare and medicine for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1100,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":74,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1045},"Top Digital Health And Healthcare AI Trends To Watch In 2026 - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1102,"collection":1107,"about":1109,"author":1111,"replies":1113,"version-history":1116,"predecessor-version":1119,"wp:featuredmedia":1123,"wp:attachment":1126,"wp:term":1129,"curies":1140},[1103],{"href":1104,"targetHints":1105},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F60151",{"allow":1106},[37],[1108],{"href":228},[1110],{"href":231},[1112],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[1114],{"embeddable":51,"href":1115},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=60151",[1117],{"count":902,"href":1118},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F60151\u002Frevisions",[1120],{"id":1121,"href":1122},60153,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F60151\u002Frevisions\u002F60153",[1124],{"embeddable":51,"href":1125},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F54109",[1127],{"href":1128},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=60151",[1130,1132,1134,1136,1138],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":1131},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=60151",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":1133},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=60151",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":1135},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=60151",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":1137},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=60151",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":1139},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=60151",[1141],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":18,"date":1143,"date_gmt":1144,"guid":1145,"modified":1147,"modified_gmt":1148,"slug":1149,"status":62,"type":63,"link":1150,"title":1151,"content":1153,"excerpt":1155,"author":71,"featured_media":670,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":1157,"categories":1158,"tags":1159,"project_category":1168,"contact_email_category":1169,"yst_prominent_words":1170,"class_list":1174,"better_featured_image":1184,"acf":1193,"yoast_meta":1204,"_links":1207},"2025-11-17T10:05:42","2025-11-17T09:05:42",{"rendered":1146},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=15834","2025-11-17T10:05:44","2025-11-17T09:05:44","top-10-trends-shaping-future-pharma","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-10-trends-shaping-future-pharma",{"rendered":1152},"The 10 Trends Shaping the Future of Pharma",{"rendered":1154,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The pharma industry has taken a big swung into digital transformation. All participants invest in digital health topics. But as with all trending issues, and there is a lot of fuss that is hard to see through. As the medical community increasingly acknowledges the importance of digital health, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-we-believe-in-the-medical-futurist-mission-statement\" target=\"_blank\">the cultural shift\u003C\u002Fa> we so often talk about is still a way to go. To change that, the first step is always getting to know what’s coming. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>In this article, we collected the trends changing the pharmaceutical industry.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And if you want to have a more in-depth analysis of the topic, read our related ebook, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fthefutureofpharma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Technologies Shaping the Future of Pharma\u003C\u002Fa>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What Pharma Executives Secretly Think About the Future - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F1HD9r_Tt6QU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Have patients in the advisory board of pharmaceutical giants\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As patients take their health and through that their own future into their hands with the help of digital health, they also should be treated as equal partners in the hospitals, pharmacies – and even pharma companies. Drug producers should have an advisory board including patients who have experience with the given company’s products.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It would be easier to develop new products if the exact needs of the customers are well-known. Only with their help would it become possible to create a healthcare system that is futuristic even decades after the first plans were drawn. This is called \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.jmir.org\u002F2022\u002F8\u002Fe39178\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.jmir.org\u002F2022\u002F8\u002Fe39178\">patient design\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient-768x432.png\" alt=\"e-physician\" class=\"wp-image-23649\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Digital health strategy “around the pill”\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Rather than focusing on traditional drug manufacturing and marketing, pharma companies will put more emphasis on new approaches relying on technology to appeal more to providers and payers. “Around the pill” is more than the production and the sale of drugs: it is about \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>developing a drug and attaching a digital health technology to it\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These are often patient-support programs, that are often non-clinical solutions, that can boost patient outcomes and benefit the entire health system. These initiatives create win-win situations, patients receiving more than just a pill, while pharma companies can build on the data and the feedback they receive – and the likely loyalty of patients who appreciate the extra care. If done well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Good solutions however are not easy to make. There are only a handful of good examples, one of these is that of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F4-examples-of-merging-gaming-digital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">mySugr\u003C\u002Fa>. The startup’s approach for diabetes management is a gamified approach, wherein they reimagined diabetes as a Tamagotchi-like monster that can be tamed. By completing challenges, earning points and receiving personalized insights, the app \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdiabetestimes.co.uk\u002Fwebinar-will-help-people-with-diabetes-to-build-resilience-post-pandemic\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">incentivises patients\u003C\u002Fa> to keep their glucose level at a desirable one. The idea was so good pharma giant Roche acquired mySugr in 2017 and kept the team to continue growth. The company went on to pair the app with its existing Accu-Chek Guide glucose meter to create the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mysugr.com\u002Fen\u002Fdiabetes-bundle\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">mySugr Bundle\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Digital pills\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital pills, medications with embedded electronic circuits can be good solutions for specific patients with specific conditions. These refer to ingestible medications with embedded electronic circuits rather than smartphone logging apps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, such pills could help with medication adherence in people taking medicines regularly. The first pill approved by the FDA was \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.abilifymycite.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Ablify Mycite\u003C\u002Fa> (by since-dissolved pharma startup \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-ventures-that-flew-too-close-to-the-sun\" target=\"_blank\">Proteus\u003C\u002Fa>), a drug that was aimed at helping psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. As a patient swallows the pill, the acidic environment in the stomach activates the pill’s sensor, which thereafter begins to send Bluetooth signals to an external patch. It will then notify the smartphone app that the pill was taken. Such pills are game-changers for patients with severe conditions like schizophrenia and severe depression, as for them, missing a medication can have serious consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As we wrote in our related article, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-present-and-future-of-digital-pills\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">The Present And Future Of Digital Pills\u003C\u002Fa>, another company, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fetectrx.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">etectRx\u003C\u002Fa> gives patients more control over when monitoring starts. Their FDA-approved solution \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2019\u002F12\u002Fnew-smart-pill-maker-gains-fda-approval\u002F?rf=1\" target=\"_blank\">involves a removable lanyard\u003C\u002Fa> rather than a patch, which patients can remove after taking their medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29169\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The present and the possible future of digital pills\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. \u003Cem>In silico\u003C\u002Fem> trials\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In silico experiments are conducted by means of a computer simulation. Besides its time and cost-effectiveness, in silico trials completely circumvent animal testing and side effects on human and animal participants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In silico trials can completely \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com\u002Fnews\u002F157250\u002Fin-silico-trial-successfully-replicates-human-clinical-research-results\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">replicate human clinical research\u003C\u002Fa>, according to a recent study. Research indicates that these trials are clearly efficient. However, it was not until COVID-19 that these became more widely used. The pandemic \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.clinicalomics.com\u002Ftopics\u002Fpatient-care\u002Fcardiovascular-disease\u002Freplace-reduce-refine-in-silico-trials-in-the-spotlight\u002F\">broke down the reluctance\u003C\u002Fa> of medical professionally against such use of technology, as the need for quick and effective trials was imminent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Virtual reality against painkillers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Virtual reality (VR) is becoming a reality in hospitals as we speak. As a doctor, you could assist in the OR without ever lifting a scalpel. If you are a medical student, you could study the human body more closely and prepare better for real-life surgeries. As a patient with mental health problems, you could \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psychologytoday.com\u002Fblog\u002Fknow-your-mind\u002F201605\u002Fhow-virtual-reality-could-transform-mental-health-treatment\">fight your possible fear of heights, schizophrenia or paranoia\u003C\u002Fa> more successfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, one of the most successful applications of medical VR is in the field of stress release and pain reduction for patients suffering from chronic pain. Perhaps pharma companies should consider stepping into the field instead of creating new types of painkillers. Brennan Spiegel and his team at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-used-clinical-practice\u002F\">experimenting with the technology\u003C\u002Fa>. They even found a significant drop in pain scores in the case of VR therapies. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002FBrennanSpiegel?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor\" target=\"_blank\">Spiegel believes\u003C\u002Fa> the future will be VR pharmacies with specialists prescribing the appropriate VR treatment to patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Virtual Reality Could Make Healthcare More Pleasant - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FkgtnVl3k4Ik?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. Precision medicine through pharmacogenomics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fghr.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fprimer\u002Fprecisionmedicine\u002Fdefinition\">National Institutes of Health (NIH)\u003C\u002Fa> formulated it, precision medicine is “an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person.” There are various trends in precision medicine connected to pharma. On the one hand, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fprecision-medicine-best-hope-fight-cancer\u002F\">researchers experiment\u003C\u002Fa> with cancer drugs that directly attack cancerous cells without damaging other tissues; for example \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancercenter.com\u002Fcervical-cancer\u002Ftargeted-therapy\u002F\">in treating cervical cancer\u003C\u002Fa>. On the other hand, medical experts try to incorporate genetics into the process of creating targeted therapies and personalized treatments. Pharmacogenomics is one way to go about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC2014592\u002F\">Pharmacogenomics\u003C\u002Fa> is defined as the study of variability in drug response due to the genetic code. It argues that despite general sentiments, medications do not have the same effect on people. There are already some, who expressly \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pharmgkb.org\u002Fguideline\u002FPA166104949\">recommend genetic testing before any prescription of e.g.\u003C\u002Fa> Warfarin, a type of anti-blood-clotting drug takes place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. 3D printing drugs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Researchers worldwide are working on possible solutions: from a group that printed a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.xinhuanet.com\u002Fenglish\u002F2020-11\u002F24\u002Fc_139540203.htm\" target=\"_blank\">miniature kidney,\u003C\u002Fa> through technological solutions like BioAssemblyBot \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002Fbioprinting-hand-36609058\" target=\"_blank\">we wrote about earlier, \u003C\u002Fa>to entirely \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprintingindustry.com\u002Fnews\u002Fcarnegie-researchers-develop-fresh-new-method-of-3d-bioprinting-fully-sized-human-heart-models-179829\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new methods\u003C\u002Fa> that can lead to patient-specific heart tissue printing. The list is long and set in a clinical setting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>UK-based \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fabrx.co.uk\u002Fabout\">FabRx\u003C\u002Fa> believes they will be able to commercialize printed tablets within the next 5-10 years, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-bioprinting-overview\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3D printing\u003C\u002Fa> will probably become available in every major hospital in the next decade. Whether we will also print out drugs at home or at least at the pharmacy on the corner of the street? The latter is more imaginable, but maybe in 20 years, 3D printers as home-based pharmacies will also not be considered as elements of science fiction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"3D-printed drugs?! Yes! - The Medical Futurist #shorts\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F6GWxfuMd_RA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>8. Medical decision making with artificial intelligence (AI)\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>AI has been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fartificial-intelligence-will-redesign-healthcare\u002F\">revolutionizing healthcare\u003C\u002Fa> – through mining medical records, designing treatment plans, speeding up medical imaging, or even drug creation for that matter. Artificial intelligence-based \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fd43747-021-00045-7\" target=\"_blank\">strategies for drug development\u003C\u002Fa> are on the rise and so is their adoption. A.I. makes finding new drugs cheaper and more effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS2452302X1600036X#:~:text=Although%20the%20drug%20development%20takes,daunting%20and%20difficult%20to%20navigate.\" target=\"_blank\">estimates\u003C\u002Fa>, on average it takes about 12 years and $2.9 billion for an experimental drug to advance from concept to market. AI can downsize these numbers significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30807\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9. Need for new FDA and drug regulations\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I believe that there is a consensus in the medical community that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-the-fda-and-drug-regulations-2\u002F\">regulations concerning drug production\u003C\u002Fa>, moreover digital health devices or health apps are obsolete. Regulatory agencies are unprepared for the waves of digital innovation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We could notice it with the appearance of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fliving-with-an-artificial-pancreas\u002F\">#wearenotwaiting \u003C\u002Fa>Twitter movement for patients suffering from diabetes. They started to use the so-called artificial pancreas without FDA or any other approval because the patients had the impression it works and they needed it. With the rapid innovation of digital health solutions, regulators need a more rapid response in order to get ahead of possibly dangerous DIY solutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41746-023-00873-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Generative AI has recently joined\u003C\u002Fa> this unprecedented regulatory discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another example of regulations going after innovation is the case of direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. They appeared approximately ten years ago on the market. However, in 2014 the FDA restricted 23andme’s operations saying that the health information services were not clear or complete enough for customers. So, the genetic testing company scaled back its activity mostly to provide data about ancestry. They have \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.greensboro.com\u002Fnews\u002Flocal_news\u002Fsisters-find-each-other-through-dna-analysis\u002Farticle_e280fbab-74ab-50c0-b327-20770f646f42.html\">linked together long-lost family members\u003C\u002Fa> and have built family trees. In 2017, however, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2017\u002F04\u002F23andme-won-back-right-foretell-diseases\u002F\">the FDA re-approved 23andme’s services\u003C\u002Fa>, which aim to tell people to which diseases they are susceptible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>10. Augmented reality to make drug descriptions more fun\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>AR has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Faugmented-reality-in-healthcare-will-be-revolutionary\u002F\">many exciting applications in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>: nurses can find veins easier with an \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.accuvein.com\u002F2015\u002F11\u002Faccuvein-cited-as-a-premier-augmented-reality-application\u002F\">AR vein scanner, AccuVein\u003C\u002Fa> or describe their eye condition better to their doctor through \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fitunes.apple.com\u002Fus\u002Fapp\u002Feye-decide-patient-engagement\u002Fid454280553?mt=8\">EyeDecide\u003C\u002Fa>. There are already great signs that AR will enter the field of pharma soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Look at drug descriptions, for example. Have you ever been curious about how a drug works in your body? Even if you got interested in discovering how the distant world of pills and medicaments work, I bet you lost all your enthusiasm after you read the boring and undecipherable drug description. Now, augmented reality is here to change it. With the help of AR, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F2016\u002F04\u002F26\u002F6-surprising-trends-shaping-the-future-of-pharma\u002F\">patients can see how the drug works in 3D in front of their eyes instead of just reading long descriptions on the bottle\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>It’s time to embrace what is crystal clear. Digital health is changing care, the practice of medicine and how pharma innovations reach patients.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cp>[subscribe image=”false” type=”article-horizontal”]Subscribe to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cb>The Medical Futurist℠ Newsletter\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>News shaping the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Advice on taking charge of your health\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Reviews of the latest health technology\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>[\u002Fsubscribe]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1156,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>The drug sends a message to a caregiver after the patient swallowed it. The doctor prescribes virtual reality treatments for migraines. Do you think it is science fiction? You are mistaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[78,5],[685,1160,394,1161,89,694,1162,393,1163,1164,697,699,95,1165,1166,1167,682],653,357,445,450,145,289,527,329,[],[],[1171,112,403,539,1172,405,406,407,399,708,1173],4967,1611,2063,[1175,63,117,118,119,120,121,122,123,725,1176,413,1177,133,734,1178,412,1179,1180,737,739,139,1181,1182,1183,722],"post-15834","tag-pharmacogenetics","tag-pharmacology","tag-virtual-reality","tag-vr","tag-augmented-reality-2","tag-innovation","tag-ar","tag-nanotechnology",{"id":670,"alt_text":746,"caption":747,"description":748,"media_type":151,"media_details":1185,"post":766,"source_url":767},{"width":153,"height":154,"file":750,"sizes":1186,"image_meta":1192},{"medium":1187,"large":1188,"thumbnail":1189,"medium_large":1190,"1536x1536":1191},{"file":753,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":754},{"file":756,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":757},{"file":759,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":760},{"file":756,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":757},{"file":763,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"source_url":764},{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":1194,"subtitle":74,"cta_type":439,"cta_color":74,"related_books":1197,"key_takeaways":1199},[21,1195,1196],15585,17208,[1198,26],24759,[1200,1202],{"title":1201},"\u003Cp>In this article, we collected the trends changing the pharmaceutical industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1203},"\u003Cp>It’s time to embrace what is crystal clear: digital health is changing healthcare, the practice of medicine and how pharma innovations reach patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1205,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1206,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1150},"The 10 Trends Shaping the Future of Pharma - The Medical Futurist","The medical community gradually acknowledges digital health but doesn't embrace it entirely. Familiarize yourself with the future of pharma!",{"self":1208,"collection":1213,"about":1215,"author":1217,"replies":1219,"version-history":1222,"predecessor-version":1226,"wp:featuredmedia":1230,"wp:attachment":1232,"wp:term":1235,"curies":1246},[1209],{"href":1210,"targetHints":1211},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F15834",{"allow":1212},[37],[1214],{"href":228},[1216],{"href":231},[1218],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[1220],{"embeddable":51,"href":1221},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=15834",[1223],{"count":1224,"href":1225},20,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F15834\u002Frevisions",[1227],{"id":1228,"href":1229},59529,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F15834\u002Frevisions\u002F59529",[1231],{"embeddable":51,"href":809},[1233],{"href":1234},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=15834",[1236,1238,1240,1242,1244],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":1237},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=15834",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":1239},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=15834",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":1241},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=15834",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":1243},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=15834",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":1245},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=15834",[1247],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":1249,"date":1250,"date_gmt":1251,"guid":1252,"modified":1254,"modified_gmt":1255,"slug":1256,"status":62,"type":63,"link":1257,"title":1258,"content":1260,"excerpt":1262,"author":71,"featured_media":1264,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":1265,"categories":1266,"tags":1270,"project_category":1277,"contact_email_category":1279,"yst_prominent_words":1280,"class_list":1285,"better_featured_image":1297,"acf":1320,"yoast_meta":1331,"_links":1333},14484,"2025-06-17T10:12:28","2025-06-17T08:12:28",{"rendered":1253},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=14484","2025-06-17T10:12:29","2025-06-17T08:12:29","the-amazing-future-of-dentistry-and-oral-health","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-amazing-future-of-dentistry-and-oral-health",{"rendered":1259},"9 Technologies That Will Shape The Future Of Dentistry",{"rendered":1261,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most common childhood fears is going to the dentist. Who would not relate? Sitting in a huge chair illuminated by blinding light, enduring lengthy seated sessions with someone looking and poking inside your mouth using edgy and frightening devices, producing sounds like the screams of tortured souls from hell. And finally, when the misery is over, that same someone tells you not to eat your favourite sweets and instructs you to brush your teeth regularly. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We’ve all been through this as a kid and childhood memories stick with us, just recalling this might send a shiver down your spine. No one likes to go to the dentist although everyone knows how crucial oral health is and how strongly it is connected to our overall health. But an armada of new technologies\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">from virtual reality through artificial intelligence (AI) to CRISPR will revolutionise dentistry and our whole attitude towards oral health in the future.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Sitting in the dentist's chair - Future of Dentistry\" class=\"wp-image-14485\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair-512x268.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fsitting-in-the-dentist-s-chair-458x239.jpg 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like in the case of \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-specialties-with-the-biggest-potential-in-the-future\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other medical specialties\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, disruptive innovations will have a huge impact on how dentistry will be practiced and how patients will take care of themselves in the future. Can you imagine that you might get your 3D-printed prosthesis in an hour instead of 4-5 sessions at the dentist? How about having a teledentist consultation? Or being able to grow new teeth at the age of 80? \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let’s see how these can be the case in the future thanks to the following 9 technologies.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>1. Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Already, dentists \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS1991790220301434#:~:text=AI%20has%20been%20used%20mainly,with%20superior%20quality%20patient%20care.\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">employ software\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get insights into clinical decision-making, but \u003C\u002Fspan>AI is changing the face of dentistry, just like it is in many other fields. For dentists, it’s transforming diagnosis, decision-making, and treatment planning. For patients, it promises more accurate care and better outcomes. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.frontiersin.org\u002Farticles\u002F10.3389\u002Ffdmed.2023.1085251\u002Ffull\" target=\"_blank\">This study\u003C\u002Fa> summarises how AI is adding value to various segments of the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Operative dentistry: finding cavities earlier\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even with X-rays, dentists sometimes miss small cavities, especially in tricky spots like between teeth. AI can detect early-stage dental caries and vertical root fractures more accurately than traditional methods in a cost-effective way. Problems that get treated earlier, prevent the need for major work later – a huge win for all of us as patients. This is not science fiction, using neural networks can better \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rdhmag.com\u002Fcareer-profession\u002Farticle\u002F14185563\u002Fartificial-intelligence-ai-in-dentistry\" target=\"_blank\">detect dental decay\u003C\u002Fa> (and periodontal disease) from radiographs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Periodontics: protecting your gums\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Gum disease (periodontitis) can be hard to spot in its early stages, but it’s a major cause of tooth loss. AI helps dentists catch it early, so treatment can be simpler and more effective. It’s like adding an expert gum specialist to the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Orthodontics: planning the perfect smile\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Creating the ideal orthodontic treatment plan (braces and Co.) is time-consuming and takes lots of measurements and analysis. AI models help orthodontists create the best treatment plans, and predict how the result will look like. This means faster results and less guesswork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>AI in oral and maxillofacial pathology: early detection, targeted treatments\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Oral cancers and other serious issues can lurk undetected with biopsies being the only way to diagnose them. AI is getting good at analysing scans and microscope slides. It can identify suspicious areas that need closer examination and can help distinguish between tumor types. This can lead to earlier cancer detection and more targeted treatment. Researchers in 2019 \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41598-019-49710-z\" target=\"_blank\">developed a machine learning method\u003C\u002Fa> to accurately quantify immune cells in the vicinity of oral cancer cells. This gives better insights into the spread of and resistance to cancer; thereby \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalxpress.com\u002Fnews\u002F2019-09-ai-chances-surviving-oral-cancer.html\" target=\"_blank\">helping in determining\u003C\u002Fa> the chances of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Prosthodontics: designing better restorations\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Crowns, dentures, and other restorations have to be custom-made for a perfect fit – a time-consuming process. Various AI models can assist this process by generating perfect dental crowns and dentures through CAD integration and improving shade matching. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30807\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To think even more ahead: \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frise-in-population-genomics-local-government-in-india-will-use-blockchain-to-secure-genetic-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genomic data\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can offer a \u003C\u002Fspan>deeper understanding \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for personalised care. With AI tools having access to such information, they can instantly offer the best treatment options and probabilities of success.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Smart toothbrush\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While AI helps dental professionals provide better treatments, smart toothbrushes enable all of us to take better care of our teeth. Our home will be filled with connected, smart devices in the future, so why would our bathroom be an exception?\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> At first, it might feel a bit strange to let a sensor into one of your most intimate activities, tooth brushing, but it makes a lot easier to maintain oral hygiene and prevent plaque or cavities. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kolibree.com\u002Fen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kolibree smart electric toothbrush\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes sure you are brushing your teeth the right way through its app and offers kids fun games to keep up the good habit of regularly cleaning their teeth. Philips’ \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.usa.philips.com\u002Fc-m-pe\u002Felectric-toothbrushes#triggername=color_white\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sonicare smart toothbrush\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comes packed with sensors in its handle. These provide real-time feedback via a companion app warning you if you are applying too much pressure, where you are brushing and even coach the user as to how to brush properly. And there are so many such devices \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fs?k=smart+toothbrush&crid=1MFD8ISN5WMO0&sprefix=smart+tooth%2Caps%2C180&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_11\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the market\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fsmart-toothbrush-768x439.jpg\" alt=\"smart toothbrush\" class=\"wp-image-56057\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fsmart-toothbrush-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fsmart-toothbrush-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fsmart-toothbrush.jpg 1792w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While having a personal coach to optimise your daily oral hygiene might sound enticing, not everyone is enthusiastic about the technology. Firstly, dental experts emphasise \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002Fwirecutter\u002Fblog\u002Fsmart-toothbrushes-dont-recommend\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the need for proper brushing techniques\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002Fwirecutter\u002Freviews\u002Fbest-electric-toothbrush\u002F#what-about-smart-toothbrushes\" target=\"_blank\">these devices won’t improve upon\u003C\u002Fa>. Rather, it’s a dental professional who can demonstrate the proper techniques at your next appointment. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, by buying smart toothbrushes from companies like\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pg.com\u002Fprivacy\u002Fenglish\u002Fprivacy_statement.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Procter & Gamble\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.usa.philips.com\u002Fa-w\u002Fmobile-privacy-notice\u002Fsonicare-connected-app-gdpr.html\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Philips Oral Healthcare\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you agree to their privacy policies that enable them to share your data with third parties. Now that \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health data is the new oil\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, companies will want to profit off of these in as many ways as possible. So you might want to adopt a smart toothbrush from a company that gives you more control over your data or one that doesn’t share it with third parties at all.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Augmented Reality\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might be familiar with \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Faugmented-reality-in-healthcare-will-be-revolutionary\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Augmented Reality\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (AR) through social media apps; it’s the same technology that Snapchat uses to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=Pc2aJxnmzh0&ab_channel=Vox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">superimpose filters\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on your face during your guilt trip selfie with a dog face filter. But AR also found a home in dentistry for both educational and clinical purposes.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image Navigation’s \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fimage-navigation.com\u002Fhome-page\u002Fdentsim\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DentSim Simulator\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pairs AR with a mannequin on which students can perform procedures while receiving immediate feedback as their movements are tracked. This helps them identify faster where they should improve and develop their skills in the process. It’s already in by 8,500 students in dental schools around the world.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30911\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Faugmented-reality-in-dentistry-with-logo-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In dental practice, the technology is more prevalent in reconstructive and aesthetic procedures in order to help patients know what they will look like after the treatment. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsmartteksas.com\u002Faugmented-reality-smile-application\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SmartTek\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> developed an AR app that uses a phone or tablet’s camera to overlay virtual depictions of the improved set of teeth prior to the procedure. This allows patients and dentists to configure features of their teeth such as height and spacing to their liking before they even enter the surgery room.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Virtual Reality in dentistry\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not to be confused with AR, Virtual Reality (VR) completely closes off the outside world with a dedicated headset and immerses the user in a virtual environment. By slipping such a headset on their head, students and aspiring dental surgeons \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.voanews.com\u002Fa\u002Fepisode_absence-person-classes-dentistry-courses-use-virtual-reality-4725316\u002F6117310.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">can be transported to the OR from their couch\u003C\u002Fa>; while patients can visualise a calming landscape while seated at the dreaded dentist’s chair to improve their experience.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, only a few students can peek over the shoulder of the surgeon during an operation and it is challenging to learn the tricks of the trade like that. With a virtual reality camera, surgeons can stream operations globally and allow medical students to actually be there in the OR using their VR goggles. Dentistry even outpaced other fields of medicine in adopting this method. Back in 2015, Nobel Biocare \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fvrscout.com\u002Fnews\u002Fdental-surgery-virtual-reality\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">held the first dental surgery\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> filmed through VR and allowed observers to virtually assist the whole procedure from the surgeon’s perspective. In comparison, the first VR-recorded surgery was performed at \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2016\u002Fapr\u002F14\u002Fcutting-edge-theatre-worlds-first-virtual-reality-operation-goes-live\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Royal London Hospital\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2016. The technology can further be used to help dentists \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build on their empathy skills\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through simulations putting them in the shoes of their patients or in challenging situations. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-scaled.gif\" alt=\"medical virtual simulation\" class=\"wp-image-24685\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the patient side, VR might be the solution to our dentist’s office anxiety. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fjournals.plos.org\u002Fplosone\u002Farticle?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0091276\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An experiment showed\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that VR can be used as an effective distraction tool in dentistry. Patients wore goggles which displayed calming natural scenes, and remembered the treatments more positively afterwards. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Teledentistry\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are reluctant to go to the dentist, imagine how hard it is for children, patients with special needs or the elderly in nursing homes. Another issue is distance: people living in rural areas rarely get access to a dentist and hardly ever have the possibility of choice. This can change significantly with the spread of teledentistry. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teledentistry services offered by companies like \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theteledentists.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Teledenists\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mouthwatch.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MouthWatch\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provide easier access to oral and dental care; are significantly cheaper for patients; shift towards cheaper prevention practices; and allow patients to consult with otherwise unavailable medical professionals. For instance, MouthWatch’s TeleDent service offers an all-in-one teledentistry platform allowing patients to capture images, send relevant information to a dentist remotely, and do a live consult. The dentist might start a video chat with the patient and the caregiver so that the medical professional can actually see and talk to the patient, build rapport, help connect them and bring them into the office (if necessary).\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30913\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F0625_berlin_teledentistry-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The American Dental Association issued \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ada.org\u002Fabout\u002Fgovernance\u002Fcurrent-policies\u002Fada-policy-on-teledentistry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a policy on teledentistry\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that offers guidance on the modalities that such services can follow. This sets the pace in making teledentistry a general practice.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. Computer-assisted design and 3D-printing \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing does not need any introduction considering the buzz it generated in healthcare a while ago with \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-printing-in-medicine-and-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the technology’s potential to print\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> medicines, prosthetics and even organ replicas. Its importance was \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-tech-here-to-stay-after-covid-19\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">also highlighted during the COVID-19 crisis\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to bypass supply chains to meet hospitals’ demands. As the technology is set to become an integral part of healthcare practice, it will also become incorporated into dental labs.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer-assisted manufacture (CAM), including 3D-printing, are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">already revolutionising the sector; \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">they are turning them into low-cost, more effective digital labs. Traditionally, when a patient needs a crown, a dentist must make a mould of the tooth and fashion a temporary crown, then wait for the dental laboratory to make a permanent one.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30915\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.webmd.com\u002Foral-health\u002Fadvances-in-dental-care-whats-new-at-the-dentist#2\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAD\u002FCAM technology\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the tooth is drilled to prepare it for the crown and a picture is taken with a computer. This image is then relayed to a machine that manufactures the crown right in the office. With a 3D printer doing the hard work, dental labs eliminate the bottleneck of manual modelling and let the business grow. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.stratasys.com\u002Findustries\u002Fdental\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stratasys\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealth.desktopmetal.com\u002Fdental-3d-printing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Desktop Health,\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fformlabs.com\u002Fblog\u002F3d-printed-teeth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FormLabs\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer such high-tech solutions for dental labs.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printers \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdental.formlabs.com\u002Feu\u002Fblog\u002Fdigital-dentistry-dental-3d-printing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are also able to produce\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> orthodontic models, surgical guides, aligners, retainers and more dental equipment faster and more precisely; tasks that would take longer with traditional methods. This helps improve workflows, reducing error and the amount of labor needed, which ultimately endows the technology with time and cost-efficiency.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. Intra-oral camera\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the greatest inconveniences\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while being seated in\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the dentists’ chair is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that sometimes, no matter how wide you open your mouth, the dentist still\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cannot see what they would like to see, even by using the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">trusty \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dental mirror. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such situations are not only uncomfortable \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for both the patient and the doctor\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but also painful. However, the advent of\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> intra-oral cameras \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can remedy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this exact problem.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mouthwatch.com\u002Fintraoral-cameras\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MouthWatch\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.duerrdental.com\u002Fen\u002Fproducts\u002Fimaging\u002Fvistacam-intraoral-camera-systems\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dürrdental\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.carestreamdental.com\u002Fus\u002Fen\u002Fintraoralcamera\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carestream Dental\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are some of the many companies to have launched intra-oral cameras on the market. The cameras’ unique liquid lens technology works like the human eye to ensure effortless image capture to deliver clear, detailed images patients can really understand.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>8. Regenerative dentistry\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We’ve come to expect to have our teeth fall off with age or with damage and have them replaced by prostheses. However, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fsj.bdj.2014.961\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regenerative dentistry\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> challenges this preconceived idea with developments that can lead to self-healing teeth and biological therapy for damaged teeth. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A Japanese startup, Toregem Biopharma will launch clinical trials in September of what is believed to be the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fasia.nikkei.com\u002FBusiness\u002FPharmaceuticals\u002FWorld-s-first-tooth-regenerating-drug-to-enter-testing-in-Japan\" target=\"_blank\">first-ever treatment that can regrow teeth\u003C\u002Fa>. The drug is designed to help patients missing some or all of their teeth from birth – a condition named congenital anodontia. However, the Kyoto University-affiliated startup hopes to eventually offer a solution to patients who lost their teeth later in life as well. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previously, researchers from the University of Nottingham and Harvard University\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Feurope.newsweek.com\u002Fdental-fillings-heal-teeth-stem-cells-harvard-cavities-477415?rm=eu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">developed dental fillings\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that allow teeth to heal themselves. These fillings stimulate stem cells to promote the growth of dentin, or the main constituent of our teeth. This effectively enables patients to regrow teeth damaged through dental disease and potentially eliminate the need for root canals!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discoveries from researchers at Karolinska Institutet \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fscitechdaily.com\u002Fregenerative-dentistry-breakthrough-biological-therapy-for-damaged-teeth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can accelerate development\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the field of regenerative medicine. They were able to map the differentiation pathways of the cells that make up human teeth. They also discovered new cell types and cell layers in teeth that can impact tooth sensitivity.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Isn’t it exciting to think that you might not need to have false teeth to replace your own when you are old, but you might grow new ones? The tooth fairy will be very excited for sure!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9. CRISPR\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CRISPR is a ground-breaking genome editing method offered by Mother Nature herself, but researchers have discovered its immense potential only recently. As explored in our dedicated articles, it might \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcrispr\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">become the ultimate weapon against cancer\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or, more controversially, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-could-crisprcas9-do-tomorrow\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help design babies in the future\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. And the field of dentistry will also benefit from the technology as well.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-22535 is-style-default\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"491\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing.jpg\" alt=\"digital health technologies\" class=\"wp-image-22535\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F12\u002FCRISPR_Gene-Editing-512x289.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.verdict.co.uk\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So what could CRISPR achieve in dentistry? Well quite a lot, in fact. Chinese researchers \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.todaysrdh.com\u002Fwhat-is-crispr-and-how-could-it-change-dentistry\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are conducting studies\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the technology to isolate and switch off oral cancer-associated genes. Other researchers are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002F30329221\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">using CRISPR\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to alter the functioning of bacteria responsible for plaque formation. Their endeavour could even lead to the reduction or outright prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. But please don’t give up on brushing your teeth just yet!\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>The bright future of dental medicine\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is amazing how more and more disruptive innovations will be at our disposal – either for improving oral health (and getting rid of the dentist-related fear and anxiety) as a patient or upgrading your practice as a professional. Our task at The Medical Futurist is to follow the latest innovations and keep pace with the growing possibilities in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Be sure to pick up a copy of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Ffuture-of-medical-specialties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our e-book\u003C\u002Fa> to learn more about the technological future of medical specialties!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup.png\" alt=\"future of medical specialties\" class=\"wp-image-23819\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F0415_tmfs_mockup-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n",{"rendered":1263,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>One of the most common human fears is going to the dentist, although we all know  how crucial oral health is and how strongly it is connected to our overall health. Let’s see what new technologies can do to  revolutionise dentistry – and our attitudes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",30915,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[1267,290,518,673,78,5,519,845,1268,675,1269],498,516,514,[1271,694,1272,88,1273,1164,1274,100,82,89,1162,1275,1276],597,598,671,206,517,570,[702,703,1278,396,704],949,[],[1281,296,1282,407,1283,1284],1725,2261,1715,1719,[1286,63,117,118,119,120,121,1287,300,554,714,122,123,555,853,1288,716,1289,1290,734,1291,132,1292,1180,1293,144,126,133,1178,1294,1295,741,742,1296,414,743],"post-14484","category-3d-printing","category-medical-education","category-virtual-reality","tag-dentistry","tag-oral-health","tag-machine-learning","tag-digital","tag-gc1","tag-crispr","project_category-educators",{"id":1264,"alt_text":74,"caption":74,"description":1298,"media_type":151,"media_details":1299,"post":1249,"source_url":1319},"An armada of new technologies from virtual reality through A.I. to CRISPR will revolutionise dentistry in the future. ",{"width":153,"height":154,"file":1300,"sizes":1301,"image_meta":1318},"2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo.png",{"medium":1302,"large":1305,"thumbnail":1308,"medium_large":1311,"1536x1536":1312,"2048x2048":1315},{"file":1303,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":1304},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-370x208.png",{"file":1306,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":1307},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-768x432.png",{"file":1309,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":1310},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-150x150.png",{"file":1306,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":1307},{"file":1313,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"source_url":1314},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-1536x864.png",{"file":1316,"width":590,"height":591,"mime-type":311,"source_url":1317},"3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-2048x1152.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F3d-printing-dentistry-with-logo.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":1321,"cta_type":439,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"related_books":1325,"key_takeaways":1326},[1322,1323,1324],13061,13172,13916,[771,207,1198],[1327,1329],{"title":1328},"\u003Cp>Disruptive innovations will have a huge impact on how dentistry will be practiced and how patients will take care of their oral health in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1330},"\u003Cp>These technologies will result in better and more personalized care, faster solutions, often at lower costs than today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1259,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1332,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1257},"Let's look at the top digital technologies from virtual reality through A.I. to CRISPR that will revolutionise dentistry in the future.",{"self":1334,"collection":1339,"about":1341,"author":1343,"replies":1345,"version-history":1348,"predecessor-version":1352,"wp:featuredmedia":1356,"wp:attachment":1359,"wp:term":1362,"curies":1373},[1335],{"href":1336,"targetHints":1337},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14484",{"allow":1338},[37],[1340],{"href":228},[1342],{"href":231},[1344],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[1346],{"embeddable":51,"href":1347},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=14484",[1349],{"count":1350,"href":1351},66,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14484\u002Frevisions",[1353],{"id":1354,"href":1355},58855,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14484\u002Frevisions\u002F58855",[1357],{"embeddable":51,"href":1358},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F30915",[1360],{"href":1361},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=14484",[1363,1365,1367,1369,1371],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":1364},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=14484",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":1366},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=14484",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":1368},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=14484",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":1370},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=14484",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":1372},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=14484",[1374],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":1376,"date":1377,"date_gmt":1378,"guid":1379,"modified":1377,"modified_gmt":1378,"slug":1381,"status":62,"type":63,"link":1382,"title":1383,"content":1385,"excerpt":1387,"author":71,"featured_media":1389,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":1390,"categories":1391,"tags":1392,"project_category":1396,"contact_email_category":1397,"yst_prominent_words":1398,"class_list":1399,"better_featured_image":1404,"acf":1428,"yoast_meta":1442,"_links":1445},51531,"2025-06-02T09:58:28","2025-06-02T07:58:28",{"rendered":1380},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=51531&_wpnonce=1ecf55c219&status=auto-draft&type=post","drugs-vs-digital-therapeutics-a-symbiotic-rivalry","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdrugs-vs-digital-therapeutics-a-symbiotic-rivalry",{"rendered":1384},"Drugs Vs. Digital Therapeutics – A Digital Symbiosis",{"rendered":1386,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>For centuries, we have administered medical aid through a pill bottle or, in more serious instances, an IV drip. But the recent decade has seen us propelled into a new universe, where healing doesn’t just come from pharmacies but also from app stores. This shift has been brought about by the rise of Digital Therapeutics (DTx), healing that can be administered right through our smartphones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The title, Drugs vs. DTx, is a classic case of the “it’s complicated” relationship status. On one hand, they stand toe-to-toe, each offering unique modes of healing, on the other, they do their best when working together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defining DTx\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital therapeutics deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions driven by high-quality software programs to prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder or disease. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>Think of it like traditional drugs, but instead of swallowing a pill, you’re tapping on an app.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But this isn’t just a novel concept. They hold the promise of improved health outcomes, greater accessibility, and cost-effectiveness in patient care when used based on proper evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Dance of Difference\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Recently, The Medical Futurist published an insightful infographic, highlighting the key differences between traditional drug-based therapies and digital therapeutics. This graphic visualisation captures how this new approach to treatment could help us achieve the same old goal of helping patients get better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002FDrugs-Vs-DTx.jpg\" alt=\"TMF Drugs Vs DTX Infographic\" class=\"wp-image-51535\" width=\"856\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002FDrugs-Vs-DTx.jpg 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002FDrugs-Vs-DTx-768x1350.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002FDrugs-Vs-DTx-874x1536.jpg 874w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In many ways, DTx tools are easier and quicker to develop, they’re cheaper, and they navigate a different regulatory channel. The monitoring is a whole different ball game, as DTx allows for real-time, automatic monitoring. As we discussed, it is also very different from the user experience point of view: I head to the app store instead of the pharmacy, and I use an app instead of swallowing pills. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital therapeutics are more than just a novel concept. They hold the promise of improved health outcomes, greater accessibility, and cost-effectiveness in patient care when used based on proper evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Privacy + Access = Wider Reach\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-new-buzz-these-are-the-top-examples-of-digital-therapeutics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">previous article\u003C\u002Fa>, we explored DTx and its benefits. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>DTx solutions are typically delivered through smartphone apps. In other words, via \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psychiatrictimes.com\u002Fview\u002Ffrom-theory-to-real-world-practice-clinical-integration-of-digital-therapeutics\" target=\"_blank\">a channel pretty much everyone has access to\u003C\u002Fa>. Accessibility is one of the key factors for any new solution to become widely used.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But there is another upside: it allows a certain kind of privacy, bringing treatments to the patients’ homes, and removing stigmas typically connected to a number of therapies, either in substance abuse care or in mental health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Great potential & unique risks\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mckinsey.com\u002Findustries\u002Flife-sciences\u002Four-insights\u002Fthe-health-benefits-and-business-potential-of-digital-therapeutics\" target=\"_blank\">report by McKinsey\u003C\u002Fa> lists great examples: “Research has shown that digital disease management can drive a 45 percent reduction in the three-month rate of major adverse cardiovascular events and a 50 percent reduction in the 30-day readmission rates for patients after acute myocardial infarction.” These impressive figures show what traditional and digital therapeutics together can do. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41746-023-00777-z\" target=\"_blank\">interesting study\u003C\u002Fa> highlights an often-overlooked factor as well: sociocultural influences that can impact the efficacy of DTx. External conditions, such as demographic factors, sociocultural and cognitive abilities, strongly influence what medicine can do and this is equally valid for traditional and digital therapeutics. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While DTx apps won’t have side effects like traditional drugs, they do have their own set of challenges. Digital barriers, privacy and data security issues are among these.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eight key elements of DTx\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to the McKinsey report, impactful digital therapeutics solutions typically contain most, if not all, of the following eight elements:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Regular monitoring, measurement, and feedback through connected medical devices\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Keeping payers (patients) and providers in the loop\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Personalised coaching and support\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Gamified behavioral modification\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Building a thriving community\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Unified digital health ecosystems\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Patient education\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Advanced analytics to predict and prevent health events\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, if we look at it from a little distance, these all point towards giving patients better tools for health management. No rocket science here, just additional steps towards patient empowerment, and better partnerships between healthcare professionals and patients. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fitting DTx into the traditional medical toolbox\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So, how do we make room for DTx in the millennia-old framework of medicine? It’s a fascinating question. We all understand drugs. That was our trusted tool, the “go-to” remedy for all our health issues. DTx is a brand new “weapon” in our arsenal, with fresh characteristics, waiting to fit into the established framework.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In conclusion, it’s not about Drugs vs DTx. It’s about Drugs & DTx, leveraging the strengths of both for maximal benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1388,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Drugs and Digital Therapeutics are competing comrades, bringing better results together. However, healing with apps is a cultural shock we need to get used to. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",51539,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[673,5,947,675],[1393,1394,1395],7339,7341,7841,[396,704],[],[],[1400,63,117,118,119,120,121,714,123,962,716,1401,1402,1403,414,743],"post-51531","tag-dtx","tag-digital-therapeutics","tag-prescription-apps",{"id":1389,"alt_text":74,"caption":74,"description":74,"media_type":151,"media_details":1405,"post":1376,"source_url":1427},{"width":153,"height":154,"file":1406,"filesize":1407,"sizes":1408,"image_meta":1426},"2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_375.png",306679,{"medium":1409,"large":1413,"thumbnail":1417,"medium_large":1421,"1536x1536":1422},{"file":1410,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1411,"source_url":1412},"tmf_article_375-370x208.png","59339","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_375-370x208.png",{"file":1414,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1415,"source_url":1416},"tmf_article_375-768x432.png","158898","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_375-768x432.png",{"file":1418,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1419,"source_url":1420},"tmf_article_375-150x150.png","21663","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_375-150x150.png",{"file":1414,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1415,"source_url":1416},{"file":1423,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1424,"source_url":1425},"tmf_article_375-1536x864.png","404496","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_375-1536x864.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_375.png",{"cta_type":439,"cta_color":74,"related_books":1429,"related_posts_footer":1431,"related_posts":16,"subtitle":74,"key_takeaways":1435},[601,445,1430],31417,[1432,1433,1434],51353,46719,51417,[1436,1438,1440],{"title":1437},"\u003Cp>Drugs and digital therapeutics (DTx) have a symbiotic relationship. While DTx brings unique advantages, it works best in conjunction with traditional therapeutics. Together, they can deliver impressive results, such as reducing readmission rates and managing chronic conditions more effectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1439},"\u003Cp>DTx represent a whole new pathway of healing that requires a bit of acclimatization: we visit app stores in addition to the pharmacy and use our phones next to, or sometimes in place of, swallowing pills\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1441},"\u003Cp>DTx has its unique potential and challenges, from real-time, automatic monitoring capabilities and higher adherence to digital barriers and data security issues\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1443,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1444,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1382},"Drugs Vs. Digital Therapeutics - A Digital Symbiosis - The Medical Futurist","Drugs and Digital Therapeutics are competing comrades, bringing better results together. However, healing with apps requires some getting used to.",{"self":1446,"collection":1451,"about":1453,"author":1455,"replies":1457,"version-history":1460,"predecessor-version":1464,"wp:featuredmedia":1468,"wp:attachment":1471,"wp:term":1474,"curies":1485},[1447],{"href":1448,"targetHints":1449},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F51531",{"allow":1450},[37],[1452],{"href":228},[1454],{"href":231},[1456],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[1458],{"embeddable":51,"href":1459},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=51531",[1461],{"count":1462,"href":1463},18,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F51531\u002Frevisions",[1465],{"id":1466,"href":1467},51627,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F51531\u002Frevisions\u002F51627",[1469],{"embeddable":51,"href":1470},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F51539",[1472],{"href":1473},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=51531",[1475,1477,1479,1481,1483],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":1476},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=51531",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":1478},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=51531",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":1480},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=51531",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":1482},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=51531",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":1484},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=51531",[1486],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":1488,"date":1489,"date_gmt":1490,"guid":1491,"modified":1493,"modified_gmt":1494,"slug":1495,"status":62,"type":63,"link":1496,"title":1497,"content":1499,"excerpt":1501,"author":71,"featured_media":1503,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":1504,"categories":1505,"tags":1506,"project_category":1520,"contact_email_category":1521,"yst_prominent_words":1522,"class_list":1536,"better_featured_image":1551,"acf":1584,"yoast_meta":1597,"_links":1600},13689,"2025-05-19T08:58:28","2025-05-19T06:58:28",{"rendered":1492},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13689","2025-05-19T08:58:30","2025-05-19T06:58:30","medical-robots","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-robots",{"rendered":1498},"From Surgeries To Keeping Company: The Place Of Robots In Healthcare",{"rendered":1500,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Assisting surgeries, disinfecting rooms, dispensing medication, keeping company: believe it or not these are the tasks medical robots will soon undertake in hospitals, pharmacies, or your nearest doctor’s office. These new ‘colleagues’ will definitely make a difference in every field of medicine. Here’s our overview to understand robotics in healthcare better so that everyone can prepare for the appearance of mechanic helpers in medical facilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One important notice as a prelude to this topic. In many people’s minds – unconsciously – artificial intelligence and robots get mixed up: when they hear about AI, they automatically imagine robots. However, the two are not (necessarily) the same: the ‘brain’ is in the software, the robot is just an actuator.    Most of the below examples are not intelligent, not by human standards, nor even at the problem-solving level of large language models.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Metallic allies for the benefit of the vulnerable\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While there are concerns about machines replacing people in the workforce, we believe there are advantages to the renewal of the distribution of tasks. Machines don’t need sleep or food, don’t have prejudices, and definitely won’t grunt about why they need to complete the same monotonous tasks for the thousandth time – for example washing up to the hospital floor or bringing medicine up the 10th floor. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Thus, we could imagine how healthcare robots could take over administrative and\u002For monotonous tasks that people like to skip anyway; while medical professionals, doctors, and nurses can truly devote their precious time to the job that they signed up for – caring for the sick and vulnerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why Are We Afraid Of Androids But Love Humanoid Robots? - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FsbTl_9dTo7Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With some preparation and forethought, we can make sure the human touch stays relevant in medicine while taking advantage of our metallic allies. For this reason, we collected here the most useful robots in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Robotic nurses dressing mannequins and bed-bathing patients\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Delicate movement, like gently handling an elderly patient is traditionally the most challenging task to robots, who are much faster developing in intellectual tasks than matching humans in fine-motor skills. But there is undoubtedly impressive progress. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It was huge news in 2022 when a two-armed robot \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newscientist.com\u002Farticle\u002F2315052-robotic-nurse-can-dress-a-mannequin-in-a-hospital-gown\u002F#ixzz7Q9FU2G7i\" target=\"_blank\">could grasp a folded hospital gown\u003C\u002Fa> and dress a medical mannequin lying on a bed. The technology is still not yet ready for use by people, but it is an experimental step towards artificial nurses in hospitals. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Frobotic-nurse-dressig-a-mannequin2.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42041\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Science.org\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Fan Zhang and Yiannis Demiris at Imperial College London tested their robot in a scenario that closely mimicked the Certified Nursing Assistant test used in US healthcare, in which a trainee nurse has to put an open-backed robe on a person with weak or paralysed arms. Instead of a human, however, they used a mannequin designed for medical training. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Personal Robotic Lab at the Imperial College has multiple fascinating projects underway, aiming to offer assistance in tasks like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fieeexplore.ieee.org\u002Fdocument\u002F10517379\" target=\"_blank\">bed-bathing patients\u003C\u002Fa>, or Blueberry, a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imperial.ac.uk\u002Fpersonal-robotics\u002Fparticipate\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">dual-arm assistive wheelchair\u003C\u002Fa> that may one day assist in everyday tasks like eating and opening doors. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Surgical robots for surgical precision\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Surgery is an unpleasant experience at best. The waiting lists can be long depending on available manpower and resources. Thus, surgical robots are the prodigies of surgery. According to market analysis, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.computerworld.com\u002Farticle\u002F1658250\u002Fa-robot-will-likely-assist-in-your-future-surgery.html\" target=\"_blank\">the industry is about to boom\u003C\u002Fa>. By 2027, global surgical \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.saranextgen.com\u002Fhomeworkhelp\u002Findex.php?id=3071\">robotics sales are expected to reach \u003C\u002Fa>$14.8 billion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The most commonly known surgical robot is the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.intuitive.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts-and-services\u002Fda-vinci\" target=\"_blank\">da Vinci Surgical System\u003C\u002Fa>, and believe it or not, it was introduced almost 25 years ago! It features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate to a far greater extent than the human hand. While the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic system at all times, they can carry out more precise operations than previously thought possible. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The field has developed with lightning speed in recent years, with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002F5-things-that-could-shape-surgical-robotics-in-the-next-decade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">major new trends\u003C\u002Fa> and a market with a good number of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002F10-surgical-robotics-companies-worth-following-in-2024\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">established players\u003C\u002Fa>. Clinical use is already accepted, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fneocis-brings-in-20m-for-robotic-dental-surgeries\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new FDA approvals\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Faim-medical-robotics-starting-1st-human-clinical-study-for-mri-compatible-surgical-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new trials\u003C\u002Fa> are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fmicrobot-medical-completes-1st-clinical-trial-of-surgical-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">underway\u003C\u002Fa> targeting new niches, like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fcmr-surgical-begins-1st-pediatric-clinical-trial-with-versius\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">pediatric surgeries\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Medtronic Robotic-Assisted Surgery Solutions\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FMT8DrPaJVEg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Blood drawing and disinfector robots help put ‘care’ back into healthcare\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During a hospital stay, patients interact with nurses the most. Like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-nurses-superheros-aided-by-technology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shiva, the eight-armed Indian goddess, they are there, usually in 12-hour shifts\u003C\u002Fa>, to draw blood, check your vital signs, monitor your condition and take care of your hygiene if needed. They are often overwhelmed by physically and mentally daunting tasks, and the result is often an unpleasant experience for everyone involved. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotic nurses will help carry this burden in the future. They are designed to be able to carry out repetitive and monotonous tasks, so human staff can have more energy to deal with issues that require human decision-making skills, creativity, and most of all, care and empathy. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A few years ago, we wrote about Veebot, a robot capable of drawing blood quickly and effectively. Since then, the concept has become a reality. In 2022, Vitestro announced their ‘Autonomous blood drawing device’, which has performed 1500 blood draws on over 1000 patients. They have started a\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fvitestro.com\u002Fvitestro-starts-trial-in-autonomous-blood-drawing-with-enrollment-of-first-patients-in-a-d-o-p-t\u002F#:~:text=Vitestro-,Vitestro%20starts%20largest%2Dscale%20clinical%20trial%20worldwide%20for%20autonomous%20blood,blood%20drawing%20device%20(image).\" target=\"_blank\"> large-scale clinical trial\u003C\u002Fa> involving 10,000 patients, expected to last two years, with plans to obtain CE marking by the end of 2024.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Watch this robot draw blood from a patient\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FIpdTeGPruFA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faethon.com\u002Fproducts\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Autonomous mobile delivery robots\u003C\u002Fa> might also become the favorite of nurses. These can carry around a multitude of racks, carts, or bins up to 500 kilograms in the form of medications, laboratory specimens, or other sensitive materials – so the hospital staff can do other, more important assignments. And when it’s done, the robot returns to the charging dock for a sip of energy, waiting for the next job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Robotic assistance for a better life\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But robotics in healthcare means so much more than drawing blood or carrying around racks. With remote-controlled medical robots, caretakers can interact with their patients, check on their living conditions and the need for further appointments. This would help efficiency a great deal by eliminating time-consuming home visits. We have seen a number of examples, Canada experimenting with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC8808201\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">robot-comrades\u003C\u002Fa> since the 2016 introduction of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbc.ca\u002Fnews\u002Fcanada\u002Ftoronto\u002Frobot-alzheimers-1.3696249\" target=\"_blank\">Ludwig\u003C\u002Fa>, and some elderly care facilities in Ireland introducing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.irishtimes.com\u002Fbusiness\u002Finnovation\u002Fthe-irish-robot-helping-older-people-live-independently-1.4628719\" target=\"_blank\">Stevie\u003C\u002Fa> to their residents. And we could go on and on with the examples of social robots involved in elderly care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"Stevie the robot helps an elderly patient\" class=\"wp-image-40845\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A human-sized, smiling robot combines the very best in cutting-edge technology and human touch to provide frequent check-ins and non-medical care for residents in long-term care settings. By doing so, it reduces the costs of care while raising the patient satisfaction index by simply being there for the elderly all the time. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Telemedical network for increasing accessibility \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Chances are you have been in a situation before where, if an accident were to happen, medical professionals would not have been able to reach you in time. To some of us in the developed world, it’s a rare occurrence. But even in 2024, millions live outside the reach of conventional emergency services be it in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fremarkable-examples-of-telemedicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Vanuatu or the Inuit communities up North in Canada\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.teladoc.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Teladoc\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.doctorondemand.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Doctor on Demand\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthtap.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Health Tap\u003C\u002Fa>, or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.americanwell.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">American Well\u003C\u002Fa> patients in remote areas have access to high-quality emergency consultations for stroke, cardiovascular, dermatological problems, or any other complaints. On the patient’s side, it can be accessed on a tablet or personal computer, and clinicians can also use the same type of device as best suits their needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"InTouch Health in Action | InTouch Health's Telehealth Network\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FgUfxgwJfq3M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. The power of exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Rather than move around independently to clean surfaces or handle deliveries, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-state-of-exoskeletons-in-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> wrap around the user’s body to support them physically. This offers tremendous assistance to those with disabled limbs, and rehabilitation is where exoskeletons initially made much progress in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>California-based \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feksobionics.com\u002Feksohealth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Ekso Bionics\u003C\u002Fa> is one of the best-known companies that develop bionic suits to provide power to the upper and lower body of patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, and acquired brain injuries. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Exoskeletons started finding their place in healthcare systems. In 2023 ReWalk (now called Lifeward) \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Frewalk-robotics-announces-solidified-medicare-coverage-for-personal-exoskeleton\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">announced\u003C\u002Fa> that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule for reinbursing their exoskeleton technology, which was followed by another similar announcement \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fir.eksobionics.com\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fdetail\u002F756\u002Fekso-bionics-receives-final-payment-determination-for\" target=\"_blank\">from Ekso Bionics\u003C\u002Fa>. We can expect further announcements to come, as there are over a dozen \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.accessdata.fda.gov\u002Fscripts\u002Fcdrh\u002Fcfdocs\u002FcfTPLC\u002Ftplc.cfm?id=PHL&min_report_year=2009\" target=\"_blank\">approved exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> on the FDA’s list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While still relatively niche, the exoskeleton market has expanded in recent years. The Exoskeleton Report last \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fexoskeletonreport.com\u002F2021\u002F12\u002Fupdated-directory-of-exoskeleton-companies-and-industry-statistics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">updated its report in 2021\u003C\u002Fa>, which listed 118 companies worldwide working on 172 exoskeletons that were on sale or soon to be commercialized. Their directory listed 67 medical exoskeleton companies in 2024, some \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fglobal.toyota\u002Fen\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fcorporate\u002F30609584.html?_ga=2.42558818.672635075.1578376035-1427653775.1578376035\" target=\"_blank\">definitely surprising\u003C\u002Fa>. It represents a significant rise from the start of 2020, which registered 80 such companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You have seen them in movies, taken advantage of them in video games and now they are here for real: exoskeletons. For example, a gait-training exoskeleton suit \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-jaw-drapping-stories-of-digital-health-technology-saving-lives\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">helped Matt Ficarra, paralysed from the chest down, walk down the aisle\u003C\u002Fa> on his wedding day. But nothing stands as powerful a statement as the example of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Folympics.com\u002Fen\u002Fparis-2024\u002Folympic-torch-relay\u002Ftorchbearers\u002Fkevin-piette\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Piette\u003C\u002Fa>, a French para-athlete, who became an Olympic torchbearer wearing a self-balancing exoskeleton developed by France’s Wandercraft – a company that already \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wandercraft.eu\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">has regulatory-approved robotic structures\u003C\u002Fa>. In his “civilian” life Piette works as an exoskeleton pilot, helping the company with product development. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Atalante : Early stage standing and overground walking\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FoDzJmiFNa7w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Robots in the supply chain\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Medical robots can not only undertake monotonous and repetitive tasks but also those that are potentially dangerous for humans – such as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbostondynamics.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fstretch\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">moving heavy boxes\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=tFrjrgBV8K0\" target=\"_blank\">testing chemical protection clothing\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Beyond robots that could be placed in situations potentially harmful to humans, robotics could have a big impact \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frobotics-blockchain-redesign-pharma-supply-chain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">on pharmaceutical distribution chains\u003C\u002Fa>, too. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotic medical dispenser systems, medication management solutions help any given facility “right-size” its system for its volume. It is also an emerging best practice that these robots are designed with robust data mining capabilities, so pharmacies can gain valuable insights about their traffic and efficiency all the time. If medical robots were used for such tasks, pharmacists would have the time and the incentive to participate in the social aspect of healing: educate people about preventive measures, give practical advice, and therefore make sure that healthcare truly becomes caring. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"516\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot-768x516.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42023\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot-1536x1031.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Robots disinfecting hospital rooms\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are an unfortunate consequence that anyone can be exposed to when admitted to or even visiting a hospital. In the U.S., \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cdc.gov\u002Fhealthcare-associated-infections\u002Fphp\u002Fdata\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">the CDC estimates\u003C\u002Fa> that 1 in 31 patients has at least one infection associated with their hospital care. The Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine found in 2020 that \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cebm.net\u002Fcovid-19\u002Fthe-ongoing-problem-of-hospital-acquired-infections-across-the-uk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">17.6% of COVID-19 infections\u003C\u002Fa> were likely due to HAIs in England. With the help of UV disinfection medical robots, we can reduce these numbers significantly. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthline.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fdoes-uv-kill-coronavirus#uvc-light-and-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Studies have shown\u003C\u002Fa> that UV-C can reduce the amount of live coronavirus on surfaces by 99.7% in 30 seconds and 99.9% of airborne coronaviruses in about 25 minutes. And several companies are coupling UV-C with robots which are themselves impervious to infections. Danish company UVD Robots \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fautomaton\u002Frobotics\u002Fmedical-robots\u002Fautonomous-robots-are-helping-kill-coronavirus-in-hospitals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shipped hundreds of its disinfectant robots\u003C\u002Fa> around the world during the pandemic. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fhospital-disinfection-robot-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42027\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fhospital-disinfection-robot-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fhospital-disinfection-robot.jpg 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another disinfectant robot, Violet, can completely disinfect a CT scanner room in 15 minutes; a procedure that would take a human radiographer \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F5825860\u002Fcoronavirus-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">up to 60 minutes\u003C\u002Fa>. Xenex \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F18\u002Fhow-china-is-using-robots-and-telemedicine-to-combat-the-coronavirus.html\" target=\"_blank\">says that\u003C\u002Fa> its LightStrike UV disinfection robots can disinfect dozens of rooms per day per robot. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Nanorobots swimming in blood\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2016, we released an article dedicated to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnanotechnology-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">nanotechnology in medicine\u003C\u002Fa>. In it, we shared examples like “nanoswimmers” developed by researchers that could pave the way for programmed drug delivery. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, practically all of the nanorobots came from research labs which were more proof-of-concepts than practical applications. Although news reports around the technology \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fenglish.radio.cz\u002Fbrno-scientists-developing-nanorobots-surgery-attacking-cancer-cells-8715866\" target=\"_blank\">still mostly revolve around\u003C\u002Fa> the theoretical\u002Fconceptual aspects, you can also find promising initiatives with good early results, like these \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.ki.se\u002Fnanorobot-with-hidden-weapon-kills-cancer-cells\" target=\"_blank\">cancer-killing nanobots\u003C\u002Fa> tested in mice. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is how digital health technologies often evolve: from conceptual stages in labs, through various iterations and testing stages before rolling out to a wider audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the emergence of digestibles and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-shaping-the-future-of-pharma-e-book\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">digital pills\u003C\u002Fa>, we get closer to nanorobots step by step. On that front: researchers from the Max Planck Institute have been experimenting with exceptionally \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.gizmag.com\u002Fscallop-microbots-swim-body-max-planck\u002F34589\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">micro-sized – smaller than a millimeter – robots that literally swim through your bodily fluids \u003C\u002Fa>and could be used to deliver drugs or other medical relief in a highly targeted way. These scallop-like microbots are designed to swim through non-Newtonian fluids, like your bloodstream, around your lymphatic system, or across the slippery goo on the surface of your eyeballs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fjanetwburns\u002F2016\u002F05\u002F19\u002Ftiny-origami-robot-captures-intruders-patches-holes-in-stomach\u002F#827ca632208c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">origami robot\u003C\u002Fa>, despite its size, is just as impressive as a super-strong carrier one. When swallowed, the capsule containing it dissolves in the patient’s stomach and unfolds itself. Controlled by a technician with the help of magnetic fields it can patch up wounds in the stomach lining or safely remove foreign items such as swallowed toys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ingestible origami robot\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F3Waj08gk7v8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsocial-robots-are-robotic-pets-any-worse-than-the-real-ones\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Social companion robots\u003C\u002Fa> to cheer up and keep you company\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence, social companion robots started to take shape: these human or animal-shaped, smaller or bigger mechanic creatures are able to carry out different tasks and have interactions with humans and their environment. In the future, they might become every parent’s little helper in the kitchen, might support the guard dog in keeping the house safe, might teach the children and be their companion and support the elderly, from reminding them to take their medication to keep them company when they feel lonely. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some early examples on the market, like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FPepper_(robot)#:~:text=Production%20of%20Pepper%20was%20paused,2021%2C%20due%20to%20weak%20demand.\" target=\"_blank\">Pepper\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F7\u002F23\u002F21325644\u002Fjibo-social-robot-ntt-disruptionfunding\" target=\"_blank\">Jibo\u003C\u002Fa> sadly went out of business due to weak demand, while others still have exorbitant price tags, like the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.paroseal.co.uk\u002Fpurchase\" target=\"_blank\">therapeutic robot Paro\u003C\u002Fa>, which looks like a seal and costs a fortune, or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fozrobotics.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuddy-social-companion-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Buddy\u003C\u002Fa>, which also carries a hefty price tag. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some of these pioneers had touch sensors, cameras, and microphones, thus their owners could get into discussions with them, ask them to find a great concert for that night or just remind them about their medications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper-768x511.jpg\" alt=\"Pepper medical robot\" class=\"wp-image-42029\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper.jpg 1623w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Small and big, smiley and faceless, surgical and pharma dispensing ones: robotics moves in all shapes and forms with big leaps into healthcare. That might be scary for many, but they have the potential to do good: to bring medical care to regions where there is none to be found; to make the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals cheaper and more efficient; to lighten the load of medical professionals; to help people walk again. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To reap the benefits and avoid the potential dangers of such a technological revolution, we need to keep ourselves informed about the strides that science makes so that we can better prepare and adapt to the not-so-distant future where medical robots play a crucial role and work closely with us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1502,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Medical robots will soon undertake many tasks in hospitals, pharmacies, or your nearest doctor’s office, making a difference in every field of medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",57617,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[78,5,180],[95,1507,82,682,84,1508,1509,1510,1167,1511,394,1512,1513,1514,1515,1516,1517,1518,697,1519],1502,543,304,669,723,376,968,377,1042,423,1155,1499,1501,[396],[],[1523,1524,407,1525,1059,1526,1283,1527,708,1528,1529,709,1530,1531,1532,1533,1534,1535],2375,2377,2381,2391,2395,2397,1739,2131,3187,2145,3347,2371,2373,[1537,63,117,118,119,120,121,122,123,963,139,1538,126,722,128,1539,1540,1541,1183,1542,413,1543,1544,1545,1546,1547,1548,1549,737,1550,414],"post-13689","tag-social","tag-future-of-hospital","tag-medical","tag-blood","tag-telemedicine","tag-robot","tag-social-companion","tag-robotics-2","tag-social-companion-robot","tag-surgery","tag-telemedical","tag-medical-robot","tag-nanorobot",{"id":1503,"alt_text":74,"caption":74,"description":74,"media_type":151,"media_details":1552,"post":1488,"source_url":1583},{"width":1553,"height":1554,"file":1555,"filesize":1556,"sizes":1557,"image_meta":1581},6667,3750,"2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428.png",673622,{"medium":1558,"large":1562,"thumbnail":1566,"medium_large":1570,"1536x1536":1571,"2048x2048":1575},{"file":1559,"width":159,"height":160,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1560,"source_url":1561},"tmf_article_428-370x208.png",25399,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-370x208.png",{"file":1563,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1564,"source_url":1565},"tmf_article_428-768x432.png",60778,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-768x432.png",{"file":1567,"width":170,"height":170,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1568,"source_url":1569},"tmf_article_428-150x150.png",11081,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-150x150.png",{"file":1563,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1564,"source_url":1565},{"file":1572,"width":175,"height":176,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1573,"source_url":1574},"tmf_article_428-1536x864.png",140174,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-1536x864.png",{"file":1576,"width":1577,"height":1578,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1579,"source_url":1580},"tmf_article_428-2048x1152.png",2048,1152,200339,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195,"keywords":1582},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":1585,"cta_type":439,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"related_books":1589,"key_takeaways":1590},[1586,1587,1588],14848,57335,57079,[601,445,602],[1591,1593,1595],{"title":1592},"\u003Cp>As robotics technology continues to advance, it will play a crucial role in enhancing medical care, improving pharmaceutical processes, and supporting patients and healthcare workers alike. Future robotic roles include assisting in surgeries, disinfecting rooms, dispensing medication, and providing companionship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1594},"\u003Cp>By taking over administrative, repetitive, and physically demanding tasks, robots can ease the workload of healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus more on patient care and decision-making that requires human empathy and expertise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1596},"\u003Cp>The integration of robotics in healthcare requires careful preparation and understanding to ensure that the human element remains central to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1598,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1599,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1496},"Benefits of Robotics in Healthcare: Tasks Medical Robots Will Undertake","Medical robots will soon undertake many tasks in hospitals, pharmacies, or your nearest doctor's office, making a difference in every field of medicine.",{"self":1601,"collection":1606,"about":1608,"author":1610,"replies":1612,"version-history":1615,"predecessor-version":1619,"wp:featuredmedia":1623,"wp:attachment":1626,"wp:term":1629,"curies":1640},[1602],{"href":1603,"targetHints":1604},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13689",{"allow":1605},[37],[1607],{"href":228},[1609],{"href":231},[1611],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[1613],{"embeddable":51,"href":1614},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13689",[1616],{"count":1617,"href":1618},58,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13689\u002Frevisions",[1620],{"id":1621,"href":1622},58785,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13689\u002Frevisions\u002F58785",[1624],{"embeddable":51,"href":1625},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F57617",[1627],{"href":1628},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13689",[1630,1632,1634,1636,1638],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":1631},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13689",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":1633},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13689",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":1635},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13689",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":1637},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13689",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":1639},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13689",[1641],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":1643,"date":1644,"date_gmt":1645,"guid":1646,"modified":1648,"modified_gmt":1649,"slug":1650,"status":62,"type":63,"link":1651,"title":1652,"content":1654,"excerpt":1656,"author":285,"featured_media":1658,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":1659,"categories":1660,"tags":1661,"project_category":1662,"contact_email_category":1663,"yst_prominent_words":1664,"class_list":1668,"better_featured_image":1670,"acf":1701,"yoast_meta":1707,"_links":1709},58769,"2025-05-13T06:22:17","2025-05-13T04:22:17",{"rendered":1647},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58769&_wpnonce=4438816ffe&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-05-13T06:22:18","2025-05-13T04:22:18","what-pharma-executives-secretly-think-about-the-future-but-wont-admit-publicly","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-pharma-executives-secretly-think-about-the-future-but-wont-admit-publicly",{"rendered":1653},"What Pharma Executives Secretly Think About the Future (But Won’t Admit Publicly)",{"rendered":1655,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>From in-silico trials to 3D printed drugs, the future of the pharmaceutical landscape \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-10-trends-shaping-future-pharma\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">is set to look\u003C\u002Fa> wildly different from just a few decades ago. However, this presumed evolution is based on what is publicly known so far. Executives from the pharma industry have their own vision for the future, which they rarely voice publicly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After giving hundreds of keynote speeches to pharma companies, I’ve had numerous candid conversations with pharma leaders. These have provided insights into what the executives think about the future, but might not be known publicly. Sometimes, their private visions diverge from their public ones, and this article shares what they won’t admit publicly through four lenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Promising trends vs reality check: trends with lagging adoption \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital health developments have led to a radical change in care delivery and the very role of patients themselves. Progress in this field promises to reorient care around individual patients’ needs by treating patients as equal-level partners. We’ve even collected \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-10-trends-shaping-future-pharma\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the 10 most promising trends\u003C\u002Fa> changing the future of the pharma industry. However, several of those trends, despite being significant, have been lagging behind in adoption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the major trends, patient-centricity, aims to prioritise the needs and perspectives of patients from the drug development to the commercialisation process. This focus could, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fcouncils\u002Fforbesbusinesscouncil\u002F2024\u002F09\u002F13\u002Fhow-pharmaceutical-companies-can-harness-patient-centric-technology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in theory\u003C\u002Fa>, boost pharma companies’ marketing positioning, improve customer trust and enhance health outcomes. But in reality, companies are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fpulse\u002Fwhat-challenges-implementing-patient-centric-clinical-ballestra-lrxqe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">facing challenges\u003C\u002Fa> in implementing such an approach due to limited patient engagement, ethical considerations and resistance to change in traditional drug development processes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient-768x432.png\" alt=\"e-physician\" class=\"wp-image-23649\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>A technology that could help patients \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fpulse\u002Fmedicine-packaging-augmented-reality-missed-pharma-mesk%C3%B3-md-phd\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">better understand the functioning of drugs\u003C\u002Fa> is augmented reality (AR). For example, by scanning a QR code on a drug label, they could see how that particular medicine works interactively in 3D, with details of its intended users and potential side effects. This would save them from reading long text descriptions and really make the experience more fun. However, AR has not been adopted at scale for such purposes in the pharma industry and has mostly remained \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fpulse\u002Fmedicine-packaging-augmented-reality-missed-pharma-mesk%C3%B3-md-phd\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contained in pilot projects\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some 3D printed drugs made strides some years ago by getting \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Frobertszczerba\u002F2015\u002F08\u002F04\u002Ffda-approves-first-3-d-printed-drug\u002F#21226e315675\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FDA approvals\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprinting.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffirst-3d-printed-pediatric-medicine-trials-to-begin-in-europe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">undergoing clinical trials\u003C\u002Fa>. The technology could even tailer medication doses to individual patients; but only one company, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fabrx.co.uk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FabRx\u003C\u002Fa>, has been spearheading this field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Due to the challenges in adopting these trends and technologies, pharma leaders will likely shift their focus away from them, despite their promise, and lean towards more feasible options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Fears and excitements: trends pharma execs are really excited about\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is palpable enthusiasm around artificial intelligence (AI) globally, and pharma leaders do not want to miss out on the potentials of the technology. This is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F8-top-pharma-trends-in-the-digital-health-and-ai-era\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one trend that they can get behind\u003C\u002Fa> and have been doing so to assist in numerous tasks within their businesses. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the technology, the traditionally \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">time-consuming and labour-intensive\u003C\u002Fa> drug design process can be made more efficient. For example, the generative AI model developed in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fir.recursion.com\u002Fnews-releases\u002Fnews-release-details\u002Frecursion-announces-completion-nvidia-powered-biohive-2-largest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">collaboration between NVIDIA and Recursion Pharmaceuticals\u003C\u002Fa> demonstrated its unique screening prowess. It can screen more than 2.8 quadrillion small molecule-target pairs \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fbernardmarr\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F19\u002Fhow-generative-ai-is-accelerating-drug-discovery\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in a week\u003C\u002Fa>; a significant time-saver compared to the 100,000 years it would take for this process with traditional methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>AI models, such as those developed by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.benevolent.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Benevolent AI\u003C\u002Fa>, can analyse significant amounts of datasets from scientific literature, clinical records and chemical databases in a more time efficient manner than humans can. From this information, they can precisely identify targets and how potential drugs will interact with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.schrodinger.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Schrödinger\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.google\u002Ftechnology\u002Fai\u002Fgoogle-deepmind-isomorphic-alphafold-3-ai-model\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google DeepMind\u003C\u002Fa> have used AI for drug formulation. Their software predicts the behaviour of drug candidates and assess their safety and effectiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52039\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>AI technology, in particular large language models (LLMs), has also had practical uses within the pharma industry. Roche’s internal LLM tool, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fdavedrodge_chatgpt-health-rochegpt-activity-7111805972209090561-ATUk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roche GPT\u003C\u002Fa>, assists the company’s team in optimising repetitive tasks and sharing knowledge. It also supports their business by automating structured data extraction about therapies and patients from scientific articles and clinical test results. A similar tool has also been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdigiday.com\u002Fmarketing\u002Fwith-charlie-pfizer-is-building-a-new-generative-ai-platform-for-pharma-marketing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">deployed by Pfizer\u003C\u002Fa> to help with its marketing efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such AI tools can significantly improve a company’s efficiency by optimising internal operations and customer service; and is thus attracting pharma leaders who do not want to be left out from this new technological wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Blind spots and missed opportunities: trends that don’t get enough attention\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pharma executives are aware that the real competitive edge may lie not in flashy one-time pilots, but in quietly perfecting new business models and organisational structures. This is why many consider some seemingly-niche trends as blind spots and missed opportunities that deserve much more attention. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To better meet the needs of patients in the digital health era, executives are eyeing new reimbursement models. Recognising the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Feurope\u002Fnews-room\u002F13-11-2023-reimbursing-health-care-providers-for-the-use-of-digital-health-tools-is-key-to-accessing-new-technologies--study-shows\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">potential of digital health tools\u003C\u002Fa> such as remote monitoring and mobile health apps, pharma companies are shifting away from simply medication prescription and towards a more holistic, more attractive healthcare experience for patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One early example is Roche’s acquisition of diabetes management app \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mysugr.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MySugr\u003C\u002Fa>. It can pair with the pharma company’s Accu-Chek blood glucose meters to automatically log blood sugar readings and augment diabetics’ management of their condition. GSK also made a similar move by partnering with Propeller Health \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002F48885\u002Fgsk-ventures-into-connected-inhaler-space-with-propeller-health-deal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on smart inhalers\u003C\u002Fa>; while Partners Healthcare Center and Japanese drug maker Daichii-Sankyo \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fdepth-pharma%E2%80%99s-digital-health-initiatives-move-commercialization\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">teamed up\u003C\u002Fa> to bring a connected wearable for patients with atrial fibrillation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital tools \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Feurope\u002Fnews-room\u002F13-11-2023-reimbursing-health-care-providers-for-the-use-of-digital-health-tools-is-key-to-accessing-new-technologies--study-shows\">have been shown\u003C\u002Fa> to improve health outcomes while minimising financial costs. By combining medication and technology packages, pharma companies can make their products stand out while being beneficial for both patients and insurance providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-768x433.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26335\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-512x289.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>As pharma companies look into the future, there is the clear need to focus on digital health trends and technologies. Major players in the pharma industry have established in dedicated digital health units to help shape the future of their company. Bayer \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bayer.com\u002Fmedia\u002Fen-us\u002Fbayer-launches-unit-to-develop-new-precision-health-consumer-products\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">launched a unit\u003C\u002Fa> focused on developing precision health consumer products. Similarly, AstraZeneca \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2023-11-20\u002Fastrazeneca-starts-health-tech-business-to-add-ai-to-pharma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">formed a health tech unit\u003C\u002Fa> to integrate AI into its pharmaceutical offerings. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, such bids to stay relevant in the digital health era do not always pan out positively. This \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaphorum.com\u002Fnews\u002Fbiogen-shuts-digital-health-unit-and-exits-apple-alliance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">was the case with Biogen\u003C\u002Fa>, which closed down its digital health unit and ended its collaboration with Apple on a digital health app for Parkinson’s disease. Pharma leaders consider such reversals as a missed opportunity to build a lasting digital presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. The Big Debate: high-risk, high-reward trends\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What keeps pharma executives up at night is what we can call “The Big Debate”. This relates to trends that could deliver the biggest results, but they come with high risks in case they don’t pan out due to the high investments involved. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One such trend is that of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fin-silico-trials-are-the-future\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>clinical trials\u003C\u002Fa>.  Such trials are undertaken via computer simulations, circumventing animal or human testing while being both time- and cost-effective. Significant progress has been made in this space such as the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwyss.harvard.edu\u002Ftechnology\u002Fhuman-organs-on-chips\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">organs-on-a-chip developed by the Wyss Institute\u003C\u002Fa> to emulate the complex structures and functions of living human organs. Their technology has been leveraged by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Femulatebio.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Emulate Inc\u003C\u002Fa> for efficient drug development. The mathematical model of human physiology created by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhummod.org\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HumMod\u003C\u002Fa> has been used in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhummod.org\u002Fprojects\u002F\">several research projects\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The vast potential of \u003Cem>in silico\u003C\u002Fem> clinical trials has put the technology on the radar of pharma executives. However, they are more cautious about its impact in the near future as the field is still evolving, but they acknowledge its importance in the long run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png\" alt=\"in silico trials, synthetic data, artificial patient, TMF\" class=\"wp-image-24545\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-are-digital-therapeutics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Digital therapeutics\u003C\u002Fa> (DTx) refer to evidence-based software applications designed to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions. As they can generally be accessed through a smartphone or web browser, they offer new levels of accessibility and privacy while also presenting minimal side effects. As such, pharma leaders see a future where DTx are a central part of their business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is a growing number of DTx solutions for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-new-buzz-these-are-the-top-examples-of-digital-therapeutics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a range of conditions\u003C\u002Fa>. For example, Pfizer has teamed with Sidekick Health to launch a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002F67510798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DTx solution for atopic dermatitis\u003C\u002Fa>. Eli Lilly also partnered with Sidekick Health \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Feli-lilly-taps-sidekick-health-tailor-smartphone-apps-breast-cancer-patients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">to develop apps\u003C\u002Fa> to support breast cancer treatment. However, a future with DTx hinges on evidence from randomized trials to convince broader adoption. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another high-risk\u002Fhigh-reward trend is that of collaborations with tech giants. With the latter \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rbccm.com\u002Fen\u002Fgib\u002Fhealthcare\u002Fepisode\u002Fbig_tech_vs_big_pharma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">increasingly flirting with\u003C\u002Fa> the health and wellness, they have partnered with pharma companies on several projects. One example is the partnership \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pharmaceutical-technology.com\u002Ffeatures\u002Fbig-tech-big-pharma-collaboration-recipe-for-success\u002F?cf-view\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">between Boehringer Ingelheim and Google\u003C\u002Fa> to apply quantum computing in pharmaceutical research and development. This can give pharma companies a significant boost, even leading to mergers. However, there is the risk of such partnerships falling apart, such as the downfall of 23andMe, which \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002F23andme-glaxosmithkline-pharma-deal\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">collaborated with GlaxoSmithKline\u003C\u002Fa>, but the company has recently filed for bankruptcy. On the other hand, executives are worried that they are helping future competitors learn the ropes of their own market and slowly making themselves obsolete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What will be the next big pharma trend?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While these insights reflect what pharma executives aren’t voicing out loud, there are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-10-trends-shaping-future-pharma\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">several trends\u003C\u002Fa> that will shape the future of pharma. They must balance headline-grabbing innovation with meaningful change, some of which might be beyond their control, and they will have to contemplate their integration within their business models. We will be regularly reporting on such trends, so be sure to keep an eye out for future articles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1657,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>From in-silico trials to 3D printed drugs, the future of the pharmaceutical landscape is set to look wildly different from just a few decades ago. Here is why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",58777,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[290,5],[],[],[],[113,1665,1666,109,1667,958,112,711,295,539,1172,405],1637,1721,3857,[1669,63,117,118,119,120,121,300,123],"post-58769",{"id":1658,"alt_text":74,"caption":74,"description":74,"media_type":151,"media_details":1671,"post":1643,"source_url":1700},{"width":1672,"height":1673,"file":1674,"filesize":1675,"sizes":1676,"image_meta":1698},3000,1687,"2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_441.png",1549951,{"medium":1677,"large":1681,"thumbnail":1685,"medium_large":1689,"1536x1536":1690,"2048x2048":1694},{"file":1678,"width":159,"height":160,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1679,"source_url":1680},"tmf_article_441-370x208.png",42477,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_441-370x208.png",{"file":1682,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1683,"source_url":1684},"tmf_article_441-768x432.png",127801,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_441-768x432.png",{"file":1686,"width":170,"height":170,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1687,"source_url":1688},"tmf_article_441-150x150.png",17352,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_441-150x150.png",{"file":1682,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1683,"source_url":1684},{"file":1691,"width":175,"height":176,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1692,"source_url":1693},"tmf_article_441-1536x864.png",414757,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_441-1536x864.png",{"file":1695,"width":1577,"height":1578,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1696,"source_url":1697},"tmf_article_441-2048x1152.png",699870,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_441-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195,"keywords":1699},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_441.png",{"subtitle":74,"key_takeaways":1702,"cta_type":74,"cta_color":74,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[1703,1705],{"title":1704},"\u003Cp>The pharmaceutical industry is set to be shaped by several digital health advances, but executives have their own vision for the future of this industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1706},"\u003Cp>In this article, we share insights into the trends and technologies that pharma leaders are focusing on for the future of the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1708,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":74,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1651},"What Pharma Executives Secretly Think About the Future (But Won't Admit Publicly) - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1710,"collection":1715,"about":1717,"author":1719,"replies":1721,"version-history":1724,"predecessor-version":1728,"wp:featuredmedia":1732,"wp:attachment":1735,"wp:term":1738,"curies":1749},[1711],{"href":1712,"targetHints":1713},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58769",{"allow":1714},[37],[1716],{"href":228},[1718],{"href":231},[1720],{"embeddable":51,"href":341},[1722],{"embeddable":51,"href":1723},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58769",[1725],{"count":1726,"href":1727},3,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58769\u002Frevisions",[1729],{"id":1730,"href":1731},58779,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58769\u002Frevisions\u002F58779",[1733],{"embeddable":51,"href":1734},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F58777",[1736],{"href":1737},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58769",[1739,1741,1743,1745,1747],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":1740},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58769",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":1742},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58769",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":1744},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58769",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":1746},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58769",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":1748},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58769",[1750],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":1752,"date":1753,"date_gmt":1754,"guid":1755,"modified":1757,"modified_gmt":1758,"slug":1759,"status":62,"type":63,"link":1760,"title":1761,"content":1763,"excerpt":1765,"author":71,"featured_media":1767,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":1768,"categories":1769,"tags":1771,"project_category":1772,"contact_email_category":1773,"yst_prominent_words":1774,"class_list":1781,"better_featured_image":1784,"acf":1808,"yoast_meta":1814,"_links":1816},58707,"2025-04-24T09:58:24","2025-04-24T07:58:24",{"rendered":1756},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58707&_wpnonce=daae3761ed&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-04-25T11:35:43","2025-04-25T09:35:43","mapping-the-future-of-healthcare-six-practical-foresight-methods-you-can-use-today","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmapping-the-future-of-healthcare-six-practical-foresight-methods-you-can-use-today",{"rendered":1762},"Mapping the Future of Healthcare: Six Practical Foresight Methods You Can Use Today",{"rendered":1764,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>In an era of exponential change, foresight isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. As technologies, systems, and societal expectations reshape medicine at an unprecedented speed, the ability to anticipate and prepare for the future has become an essential skill for healthcare professionals. That’s why I created “Map to the Future,” a practical guide that introduces six actionable futures methods tailored specifically for the healthcare field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It features case studies in medicine, healthcare and pharma too!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>This guide is not about abstract theory. It’s a toolkit to help you understand what lies ahead, make sense of disruption, and design better, more resilient systems. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdrive.google.com\u002Ffile\u002Fd\u002F1TTASvCFVPQcnhA8Dv-EowdJwebFj64nQ\u002Fview?usp=sharing\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdrive.google.com\u002Ffile\u002Fd\u002F1TTASvCFVPQcnhA8Dv-EowdJwebFj64nQ\u002Fview?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">You can access it for free here\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here’s a brief tour of the six methods featured in the book\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Vision Writing\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Explore the future through storytelling\u003Cbr>This method uses narrative imagination to step into possible futures. By writing from the perspective of a person in a future scenario—such as a 2040 medical student attending VR-based clinicals—you build empathy and uncover insights about human challenges, emotional responses, and social consequences. Start with: a diary entry, news headline, or press release set in the future. Ask: what does daily life look like?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Forecasting\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Make data-driven predictions\u003Cbr>Forecasting leverages historical and current data to estimate the likelihood of future outcomes. Used widely in policy and public health, it supports probabilistic thinking over binary conclusions. Start with: a specific question and measurable timeframe. Assign probability estimates and update them as new information arises.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"3\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Scenario Analysis\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Prepare for multiple futures\u003Cbr>Rather than predicting a single outcome, scenario analysis generates several plausible futures based on key drivers and uncertainties. This method enhances strategic agility and decision-making. Start with: defining one key driver and one major uncertainty. Then build four scenario narratives based on combinations of these factors.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"4\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The Futures Whee\u003C\u002Fstrong>l: Visualize ripple effects\u003Cbr>A great team tool, the futures wheel maps primary, secondary, and tertiary consequences of an event or trend. It promotes systems thinking and uncovers indirect outcomes. Start with: a central future event (e.g., autonomous ambulances). Brainstorm cascading consequences outward.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"5\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Trend Analysis\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Spot patterns that shape the future\u003Cbr>This method identifies evolving signals across data sources, industries, and social behavior. Trend analysis is crucial for proactive planning and early response. Start with: scanning news, social media, journals, and reports. Look for repeated signals and early signs of broader shifts.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"6\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Horizon Scanning\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Detect weak signals and wild cards\u003Cbr>For those aiming to prepare for the unexpected, horizon scanning seeks early, low-visibility signs of change and rare but disruptive events. Start with: unconventional sources, speculative papers, or niche innovations. Evaluate their potential long-term impact and relevance.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing the Right Method\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A handy decision tree in the guide helps you match your purpose with the best method:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F04\u002FScreen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-768x436.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58711\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F04\u002FScreen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-768x436.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F04\u002FScreen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM.png 1513w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your Next Step\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This guide makes foresight practical, visual, and intuitive. Whether you’re a medical student, a healthcare leader, or simply future-curious, you can begin shaping the future today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also, check out my new book on the topic, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0DP9K3FB7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Your Map to the Future\u003C\u002Fa>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1766,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>In an era of exponential change, foresight isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. As technologies, systems, and societal expectations reshape medicine at an unprecedented speed, the […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",58709,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[1770,78,5],6261,[],[],[],[1775,1776,1777,1059,1666,1778,1779,1780],3635,3643,4545,2293,2407,3569,[1782,63,117,118,119,120,121,1783,122,123],"post-58707","category-forecast",{"id":1767,"alt_text":74,"caption":74,"description":74,"media_type":151,"media_details":1785,"post":1752,"source_url":1807},{"width":1786,"height":1787,"file":1788,"filesize":1789,"sizes":1790,"image_meta":1805},1513,858,"2025\u002F04\u002FScreen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-001.png",73155,{"medium":1791,"large":1795,"thumbnail":1800,"medium_large":1804},{"file":1792,"width":159,"height":160,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1793,"source_url":1794},"Screen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-001-370x208.png",33004,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F04\u002FScreen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-001-370x208.png",{"file":1796,"width":165,"height":1797,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1798,"source_url":1799},"Screen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-001-768x436.png",436,73717,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F04\u002FScreen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-001-768x436.png",{"file":1801,"width":170,"height":170,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1802,"source_url":1803},"Screen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-001-150x150.png",16772,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F04\u002FScreen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-001-150x150.png",{"file":1796,"width":165,"height":1797,"mime-type":311,"filesize":1798,"source_url":1799},{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195,"keywords":1806},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F04\u002FScreen-Shot-04-24-25-at-09.51-AM-001.png",{"cta_type":74,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"key_takeaways":1809,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[1810,1812],{"title":1811},"\u003Cp>This guide is not about abstract theory. It’s a toolkit to help you understand what lies ahead, make sense of disruption, and design better, more resilient systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1813},"\u003Cp>It features case studies in medicine, healthcare and pharma too!\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1815,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":74,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1760},"Mapping the Future of Healthcare: Six Practical Foresight Methods You Can Use Today - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1817,"collection":1822,"about":1824,"author":1826,"replies":1828,"version-history":1831,"predecessor-version":1834,"wp:featuredmedia":1838,"wp:attachment":1841,"wp:term":1844,"curies":1855},[1818],{"href":1819,"targetHints":1820},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58707",{"allow":1821},[37],[1823],{"href":228},[1825],{"href":231},[1827],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[1829],{"embeddable":51,"href":1830},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58707",[1832],{"count":1726,"href":1833},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58707\u002Frevisions",[1835],{"id":1836,"href":1837},58717,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58707\u002Frevisions\u002F58717",[1839],{"embeddable":51,"href":1840},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F58709",[1842],{"href":1843},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58707",[1845,1847,1849,1851,1853],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":1846},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58707",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":1848},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58707",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":1850},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58707",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":1852},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58707",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":1854},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58707",[1856],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":1858,"date":1859,"date_gmt":1860,"guid":1861,"modified":1863,"modified_gmt":1864,"slug":1865,"status":62,"type":63,"link":1866,"title":1867,"content":1869,"excerpt":1871,"author":285,"featured_media":670,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":1873,"categories":1874,"tags":1875,"project_category":1882,"contact_email_category":1883,"yst_prominent_words":1884,"class_list":1889,"better_featured_image":1897,"acf":1906,"yoast_meta":1918,"_links":1921},38085,"2025-04-14T07:05:21","2025-04-14T05:05:21",{"rendered":1862},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=38085&_wpnonce=b5385bd3f9&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-04-14T07:05:22","2025-04-14T05:05:22","the-future-of-medication-management","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-medication-management",{"rendered":1868},"What Is The Technological Future Of Medication Management?",{"rendered":1870,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>When a patient heads to a healthcare institution and is prescribed medicines, one might expect them to stick to the regimen to improve their health. \u003Cstrong>However, \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.cureatr.com\u002F10-strategies-improve-patient-compliance-with-medication\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>up to 50% of patients\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> fail to adhere to their medications as prescribed. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And around the world, millions are taking medicines. In the U.K., \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.singlecare.com\u002Fblog\u002Fnews\u002Fprescription-drug-statistics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">over 26% of adults\u003C\u002Fa> take prescription medications. Across the Atlantic ocean, in the U.S., \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.singlecare.com\u002Fblog\u002Fnews\u002Fprescription-drug-statistics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">some 66% of the adult population\u003C\u002Fa> take prescription drugs. Down in the South Hemisphere, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.singlecare.com\u002Fblog\u002Fnews\u002Fprescription-drug-statistics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">around 35% of Australians\u003C\u002Fa> take such medicine on a daily basis. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With those millions of medicine-taking people comes the inevitable risk of medication errors. In England alone, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bmj.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fnewsroom\u002F237-million-medication-errors-made-every-year-in-england\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">researchers found\u003C\u002Fa> that over 237 million medication errors are made every year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, these add up to the losses incurred both financially and, more importantly, in terms of patient lives. One way to tackle these issues is through medication management. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rcn.org.uk\u002Fclinical-topics\u002Fmedicines-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">defines medicine management as\u003C\u002Fa> “the clinical, cost-effective and safe use of medicines to ensure patients get the maximum benefit from the medicines they need, while at the same time minimising potential harm”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, the methods employed have been stagnant for long and still leave room for improvements, as the numbers show. As healthcare steadily pivots towards digital health, what future do the relevant, novel technologies paint for medication management? Stick with us as this is what we will explore in this article.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Medication management, compliance and the empowered patient\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When it comes to medication management, there are two key sides: the administrative (clinician\u002Fpharmacist) and the patient side. This means that issues can sprout from either end of the spectrum and at every stage of the process from prescribing to dispensing. Considering recent statistics from the U.K. alone, medication errors cost the NHS around £98 million and over 1700 lives every year; and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bmj.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fnewsroom\u002F237-million-medication-errors-made-every-year-in-england\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">researchers consider these\u003C\u002Fa> losses as “definitely avoidable”. On a global scale, it’s easy to project the magnitude \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pillsy.com\u002Farticles\u002Fmedication-adherence-stats\" target=\"_blank\">to be severalfold\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This represents a significant burden that is preventable but that novel technologies in the digital health era can help address. However, the same era is defined by the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fempowered-patients-in-the-digital-age\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">empowered patient\u003C\u002Fa>. Equipped with digital health tools, having access to their own health data and engaged in online patient communities, the latter are more proactive in managing their care. As such, being tasked to comply with their treatment regimen in the traditional, passive way is an obsolete, if not offensive, approach for the empowered patient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FPatient-Doctor-Partnership-768x360.png\" alt=\"empowered patient\" class=\"wp-image-23467\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FPatient-Doctor-Partnership-768x360.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FPatient-Doctor-Partnership-1536x721.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FPatient-Doctor-Partnership-512x240.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FPatient-Doctor-Partnership.png 1547w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>The patient of the digital health age would rather be more proactive in this process. Engaging them in medication management can thankfully be made possible through digital health approaches and we’ll consider those in the next section.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Medication management in the digital health age\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the accessibility of connected devices and remote care, patients and their physicians can share a new dynamic to manage medication. Physicians can prescribe digital health tools to assist patients in managing their medications while also enabling them to monitor adherence. For their part, patients can turn to their doctors remotely in case of concerns. Below are 5 digital health tools that could improve medication management and enable this new dynamic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Smart pill dispensers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digitally enabled pill dispensers like the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjoin.herohealth.com\u002Fqjzo-g\u002Fmanage-my-meds\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hero Automatic Medication Dispenser\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medacube.com\u002Fpages\u002Fhow-it-works\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MedaCube\u003C\u002Fa> deliver audible and visual cues to remind patients to take their medications at the right time and dose. Caregivers and physicians can even track adherence through the companion app.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How Hero Works\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FaFsxHO4Nltk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Medication reminder apps\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For a software-based option, patients can adopt apps like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcarezone.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CareZone\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medisafeapp.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Medisafe\u003C\u002Fa>. These help manage medication regimens and can sync the data with a caregiver or doctor. With this approach, they can be notified when refills are needed or when the patient doesn’t respond to several missed dosage alerts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Digital therapeutics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other types of software also hold promise in the future of medication management, in particular \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-are-digital-therapeutics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">digital therapeutics\u003C\u002Fa> (DTx). These evidence-based, clinically evaluated software undergo regulatory oversight to ensure their safe and effective use as well as their clinical impact. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One such DTx product is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdtxalliance.org\u002Fproductinsulia\u002F\">Insula\u003C\u002Fa>, a prescription-only software that assists type 2 diabetics to manage their condition. It recommends patients personalised insulin doses as well as acts as a coach in managing their diabetes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36065\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Digital pills\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The longer-term goal would be to integrate a tracking option in pills themselves, and this is where digital pills come into play. While adoption is still in the early stages, some companies are working on drugs with ingestible electronics for adherence monitoring purposes. Of note, not all drugs will bear the same technology; as digital pills are more appropriate in niche areas where compliance can and should be improved with this tech. For example, patients with severe mental health conditions or the elderly having challenges adhering to their medications can benefit more from digital pills. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>etectRx’s \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2019\u002F12\u002Fnew-smart-pill-maker-gains-fda-approval\u002F?rf=1\" target=\"_blank\">FDA-approved digital pill\u003C\u002Fa> gives patients more control over when monitoring starts. It involves a removable lanyard rather than a patch, which patients can remove after taking their medicine. Infármate’s \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcordis.europa.eu\u002Farticle\u002Fid\u002F418365-pill-tracking-device-promises-targeted-personalised-care\" target=\"_blank\">SIGUEMED\u003C\u002Fa> comes with a trackable blister pack, alerting caregivers when patients take a pill. A companion app informs of the right time to take the pill and alerts contact persons if a mistake has been made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Telemedical platforms\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All of these above options can be supplemented by telemedicine consultations. Through these, patients and physicians can routinely hold remote consultations to ensure proper adherence of patients’ to medications. The latter can in turn use such platforms to request advice or raise concerns with their physicians. Given their rising adoption \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">as a result of the pandemic\u003C\u002Fa>, patients and physicians can leverage the availability of such platforms for medication management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>While these tools hold promise in medication management and enable the digital health patient to become more proactive in their care, they are not definitive solutions. They might not be accessible in all communities due to lack of resources, but their assistance can nevertheless help put a dent in the avoidable burden associated with medication management.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1872,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>As healthcare steadily pivots towards digital health, what future do the relevant, novel technologies paint for medication management? \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[673,78,5],[1511,1876,1877,698,1878,1879,1880,1881,1394,101],759,804,220,1385,5035,6255,[396,704,705],[],[1885,544,1886,1887,1171,112,1888,405,407,399],1803,2163,3239,5141,[1890,63,117,118,119,120,121,714,122,123,1542,1891,1892,738,1893,1894,1895,1896,1402,145,414,743,744],"post-38085","tag-apps","tag-empowered-patients","tag-e-patient","tag-patients","tag-smart-pill","tag-nhs",{"id":670,"alt_text":746,"caption":747,"description":748,"media_type":151,"media_details":1898,"post":766,"source_url":767},{"width":153,"height":154,"file":750,"sizes":1899,"image_meta":1905},{"medium":1900,"large":1901,"thumbnail":1902,"medium_large":1903,"1536x1536":1904},{"file":753,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":754},{"file":756,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":757},{"file":759,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":760},{"file":756,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":757},{"file":763,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"source_url":764},{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},{"cta_type":74,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"related_books":1907,"related_posts_footer":1909,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":1913},[1908,26],24763,[1910,1911,1912],36821,36643,36507,[1914,1916],{"title":1915},"\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.cureatr.com\u002F10-strategies-improve-patient-compliance-with-medication\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Up to 50% of patients\u003C\u002Fa> fail to adhere to their medications as prescribed. Some technologies could help improve that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1917},"\u003Cp>While these tools hold promise in medication management and enable the digital health patient to become more proactive in their care, they are not definitive solutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1919,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1920,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1866},"What Is The Technological Future Of Medication Management? - The Medical Futurist","Equipped with digital health tools, empowered patients are the key in medicatiion management. The question is if patients want to be empowered.",{"self":1922,"collection":1927,"about":1929,"author":1931,"replies":1933,"version-history":1936,"predecessor-version":1939,"wp:featuredmedia":1943,"wp:attachment":1945,"wp:term":1948,"curies":1959},[1923],{"href":1924,"targetHints":1925},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F38085",{"allow":1926},[37],[1928],{"href":228},[1930],{"href":231},[1932],{"embeddable":51,"href":341},[1934],{"embeddable":51,"href":1935},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=38085",[1937],{"count":1462,"href":1938},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F38085\u002Frevisions",[1940],{"id":1941,"href":1942},58675,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F38085\u002Frevisions\u002F58675",[1944],{"embeddable":51,"href":809},[1946],{"href":1947},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=38085",[1949,1951,1953,1955,1957],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":1950},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=38085",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":1952},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=38085",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":1954},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=38085",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":1956},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=38085",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":1958},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=38085",[1960],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},{"id":1962,"date":1963,"date_gmt":1964,"guid":1965,"modified":1967,"modified_gmt":1968,"slug":1969,"status":62,"type":63,"link":1970,"title":1971,"content":1973,"excerpt":1975,"author":285,"featured_media":1977,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":1978,"categories":1979,"tags":1982,"project_category":1983,"contact_email_category":1984,"yst_prominent_words":1985,"class_list":1988,"better_featured_image":1992,"acf":2024,"yoast_meta":2032,"_links":2034},58581,"2025-03-14T10:00:00","2025-03-14T09:00:00",{"rendered":1966},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58581&_wpnonce=83e38d9357&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-03-13T15:59:15","2025-03-13T14:59:15","5-digital-health-areas-to-be-impacted-by-the-fda-layoffs","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-digital-health-areas-to-be-impacted-by-the-fda-layoffs",{"rendered":1972},"5 Digital Health Areas To Be Impacted By The FDA Layoffs",{"rendered":1974,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>In the early days of Facebook, the company’s progress was guided by the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhbr.org\u002F2019\u002F01\u002Fthe-era-of-move-fast-and-break-things-is-over\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">“move fast and break things” principle\u003C\u002Fa>. To a certain extent, this was the motto across the tech industry to put products on the market. This principle emphasized the benefit of speed and experimentation, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.masterclass.com\u002Farticles\u002Fmove-fast-and-break-things\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">often with mistakes and disruption\u003C\u002Fa> in relation to regulations and traditional practices, over a slow and cautious pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With tech moguls now working closely with the second Trump administration, this concept has been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fcommentisfree\u002F2025\u002Ffeb\u002F09\u002Fwhile-trump-is-moving-fast-and-breaking-things-americans-wanting-to-escape-should-come-to-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">adopted at a governmental level\u003C\u002Fa> in the US. As a result, things are indeed moving fast, and breaking, with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F19\u002Ffda-layoffs-could-shift-regulatory-burden-health-systems-ai-prognosis\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">thousands of jobs\u003C\u002Fa> across key agencies have been eliminated. This includes sensitive sectors such as healthcare where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the world’s leading regulatory agency, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">experienced widespread layoffs and scrambling rehires\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As this happened in a matter of weeks of the new administration taking office, it leads to concerns over the FDA’s future; especially in new and rapidly evolving areas such as digital health and healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) which were markedly affected by the layoffs. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such disruptions \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fcommentisfree\u002F2025\u002Ffeb\u002F09\u002Fwhile-trump-is-moving-fast-and-breaking-things-americans-wanting-to-escape-should-come-to-australia\">might still be \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fcommentisfree\u002F2025\u002Ffeb\u002F09\u002Fwhile-trump-is-moving-fast-and-breaking-things-americans-wanting-to-escape-should-come-to-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">o\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fcommentisfree\u002F2025\u002Ffeb\u002F09\u002Fwhile-trump-is-moving-fast-and-breaking-things-americans-wanting-to-escape-should-come-to-australia\">n the table\u003C\u002Fa> over the coming years of this new administration, it is worth considering the emerging digital health sectors that could be the most impacted. Moreover, will another agency take up the FDA’s role as the world’s leading regulatory body in the medical and healthcare space? We consider these aspects in this article.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What’s behind the FDA layoffs?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In February 2025, as part of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a cost-cutting approach\u003C\u002Fa> initiated by the White House and the Department of Government Efficiency, which is led by billionaire Elon Musk, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Fworld\u002Fus\u002Fus-fda-asks-fired-scientists-return-including-some-reviewing-musks-neuralink-2025-02-22\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a thousand employees\u003C\u002Fa> were fired from the FDA. As with other agencies affected by this “move fast, break things” approach, the FDA terminations targeted those \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in their probationary period\u003C\u002Fa>, which is usually the first two years of federal employment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, this impacted \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F19\u002Ffda-layoffs-could-shift-regulatory-burden-health-systems-ai-prognosis\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new and rapidly evolving\u003C\u002Fa>, but important, areas like digital health and healthcare AI, where the agency was building up its capacity for regulation as these areas quickly advanced in the past few years. For example, the job cuts \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-neuralink-reviewers-fired-musk-s-doge-cuts-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">affected 20 employees\u003C\u002Fa> from the FDA’s Office of Neurological and Physical Medicine devices. This \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-neuralink-reviewers-fired-musk-s-doge-cuts-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">included individuals\u003C\u002Fa> reviewing Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which was under pressure for alleged animal deaths during testing of its neurotech device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“These people are indispensable,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nbcnews.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fhealth-news\u002Ffda-rehires-staff-medical-devices-division-mass-layoffs-rcna193501\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a former FDA employee\u003C\u002Fa> said. “Many of these roles require so much training and specialization and are so important for keeping people alive.” Indeed, the fired employees included physicians and cybersecurity experts responsible for the approval and safety monitoring of products ranging from X-ray machines to surgical implants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ffda-office-768x511.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58583\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ffda-office-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ffda-office.jpg 1521w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>These layoffs were met with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">significant pushback\u003C\u002Fa> from medical device industry lobbyists who fund the FDA with millions of dollars annually to hire extra scientists to review products. In fact, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">about $3.3 billion\u003C\u002Fa> or approximately half of the FDA’s budget originates from fees paid by drugmakers, device and tobacco companies. As such, the Musk-led cuts won’t be as significant to their aim at reducing the federal budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The lobbyists \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\">cautioned that\u003C\u002Fa> the job cuts would lead to slower product approvals and a scarcity of new treatment options for patients. Following their call for reversal, the FDA did move to reinstate \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Ffda-works-reverse-layoffs-rehire-lost-staff-reports\" target=\"_blank\">a reported 300 people\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Digital health fields that might get impacted by the FDA lay-offs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the rehires, this leaves a vacuum in key areas of FDA’s regulatory oversight – due to the US President’s executive order to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.biopharmadive.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-hhs-cuts-impact\u002F740499\u002F\">limit the rate\u003C\u002Fa> of future hiring – and a sense of uncertainty amidst the broader medical community. With the new administration only recently taking office, there remains the possibility of a future reduction in the FDA workforce. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The immediate effects of the reduction of the FDA’s work will mean that the agency will take longer to review applications, which will cascade into reduced efficiency and overall oversight. With fewer hires, the agency’s expertise and expansion in emerging healthcare fields will further diminish. We consider some that are more likely to be impacted below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-768x432.png\" alt=\"Top medical technologies\" class=\"wp-image-25448\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Digital health devices \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The majority of the layoffs impacted the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), with a reported \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.raps.org\u002Fnews-and-articles\u002Fnews-articles\u002F2025\u002F2\u002Fexperts-fda-layoffs-will-slow-device-reviews,-impa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">200 device staff positions\u003C\u002Fa> made redundant. As such, this could affect the review and regulation of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F21\u002Fhealth\u002Ffda-trump-layoffs-device-and-food-safety.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">digital health devices\u003C\u002Fa> such as brain implants, new surgical staplers and insulin-delivery systems. The turnover rate of assessing their safety and subsequent approval is likely to be reduced and new digital health devices will take longer to be available in the US market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Healthcare AI\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>FDA employees specializing in healthcare AI were hit particularly hard by the terminations. It is estimated that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medtechdive.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-cdrh-cuts-device-industry-impact\u002F740528\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">half of that division\u003C\u002Fa> was laid off. The approval of such new technologies is among the most challenging and complicated; and a reduced workforce overseeing them will face additional challenges in keeping up with the breakneck speed of AI development. It is crucial to ensure the reliability of such tools when AI software such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F21\u002Fhealth\u002Ffda-trump-layoffs-device-and-food-safety.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MRI scan analysers and cancer detection tools\u003C\u002Fa> are actively being reviewed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Digital therapeutics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ften-ways-technology-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Digital therapeutics\u003C\u002Fa> (DTx) are an emerging digital health approach which involves the delivery of clinically-backed solutions via software (usually smartphone apps). They can aid in reducing readmission rates and managing chronic conditions more effectively. As a larger number of software are developed and backed by research, the FDA might not have the capacity to regulate this expanding landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx-768x1350.png\" alt=\"TMF Drugs Vs Digital Therapeutics\" class=\"wp-image-51983\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx-768x1350.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx-874x1536.png 874w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx-1165x2048.png 1165w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Software as a Medical Device (SaMD)\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imdrf.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fdocs\u002Fimdrf\u002Ffinal\u002Ftechnical\u002Fimdrf-tech-131209-samd-key-definitions-140901.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">defined by the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF)\u003C\u002Fa> as “software intended to be used for one or more medical purposes that perform these purposes without being part of a hardware medical device”. Examples \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fmedical-devices\u002Fsoftware-medical-device-samd\u002Fwhat-are-examples-software-medical-device\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">range from\u003C\u002Fa> smartphone apps that allow radiological images to be read for diagnostic purposes, to bespoke software that interfaces with medical devices such as a glucose monitor to assess the readings. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the increasing reliance on companion or even standalone software in the digital health age, the use of SaMD \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fmedical-devices\u002Fdigital-health-center-excellence\u002Fsoftware-medical-device-samd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">continues to increase\u003C\u002Fa>. Regulators are expected to assess this increasing volume of software in a timely manner, but restructuring at the FDA might not facilitate this task. This can result in a slower pace of innovation in commercially-available SaMD which might otherwise assist patients and physicians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. 3D printing\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The FDA’s CDRH \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fmedical-devices\u002F3d-printing-medical-devices\u002Ffdas-role-3d-printing\" target=\"_blank\">also evaluates 3D-printed medical devices\u003C\u002Fa> to determine safety and effectiveness. 3D printing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-printing-in-medicine-and-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">has been a promising\u003C\u002Fa> approach in healthcare for decades but their rate of market availability has been stifled by regulatory hurdles. With the CDRH’s reduced capacity, this digital health area is likely to slow down further, preventing widespread access to products such as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-3d-printing-drugs-pharmacies-closer-think\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">3D printed drugs\u003C\u002Fa> to facilitate medication adherence and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-printing-in-medicine-and-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">3D printed biomaterials\u003C\u002Fa> to replace failing organs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Ultimate List of What We Can 3D Print in Healthcare - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F9XYLRaVqzNY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Will another agency take over the FDA’s lead?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The recent layoffs at the FDA do not (hopefully) presage the demise of the agency. Its importance is widely recognized, as reflected by lobbyists who aided towards the rehiring of some employees. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“The disarray caused by the wholesale termination of a wide swath of device centre staff was counterproductive and appears to have caused a variety of unintended and negative results,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said Steve Silverman\u003C\u002Fa>, a former FDA device official who now runs a consulting firm. “It’s encouraging to see a shift in the opposite direction that recognizes the critical expertise of these staffers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, this state of affairs adds a sense of uncertainty to what has been, so far, considered the world’s leading and most forward-looking regulatory agency in medicine and healthcare. The prevailing notion of potential future layoffs could further make current FDA employees \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.raps.org\u002Fnews-and-articles\u002Fnews-articles\u002F2025\u002F2\u002Fexperts-fda-layoffs-will-slow-device-reviews,-impa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more risk-averse\u003C\u002Fa> and more cautious about making controversial approval decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As a result, other agencies might take over the FDA’s role in pushing innovations further. The European Union’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ema.europa.eu\u002Fen\u002Fabout-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">European Medicines Agency\u003C\u002Fa> (EMA), established in 1995, could be an option with its decades of experience and collaboration across member states. However, there \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.euractiv.com\u002Fsection\u002Fhealth-consumers\u002Fnews\u002Fstudy-highlights-eus-fragmented-access-to-new-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">remains a fragmentation\u003C\u002Fa> in individual states regarding access to new therapies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"EMA Working for every patient in Europe - (multi-language)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FkuCuWSLslGI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such fragmentation might persist, with other agencies such as China’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fenglish.nmpa.gov.cn\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Medical Products Administration\u003C\u002Fa> (NMPA) and the more recent \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nepad.org\u002Fmicrosite\u002Fafrican-medicines-agency-ama\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">African Medicines Agency\u003C\u002Fa> (AMA) leading innovation in specific digital health fields, rather than the sector as a whole. This further reflects the uncertainties brought upon by the recent “move fast and break things” principle brought to key agencies like the FDA. As a consequence, it is worth contemplating a future where other agencies take up the mantle of leaders in digital health innovation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1976,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>In the early days of Facebook, the company’s progress was guided by the “move fast and break things” principle. To a certain extent, this was […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",58589,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[289,290,78,5,1980,1981],800,799,[],[],[],[1986,1987,112,405,399],4859,5067,[1989,63,117,118,119,120,121,299,300,122,123,1990,1991],"post-58581","category-healthcare-policy","category-security-privacy",{"id":1977,"alt_text":74,"caption":74,"description":74,"media_type":151,"media_details":1993,"post":1962,"source_url":2023},{"width":1994,"height":1995,"file":1996,"filesize":1997,"sizes":1998,"image_meta":2021},2316,1302,"2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs.jpg",398001,{"medium":1999,"large":2003,"thumbnail":2007,"medium_large":2011,"1536x1536":2012,"2048x2048":2016},{"file":2000,"width":159,"height":160,"mime-type":161,"filesize":2001,"source_url":2002},"tmf-fda-layoffs-370x208.jpg",12317,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-370x208.jpg",{"file":2004,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":161,"filesize":2005,"source_url":2006},"tmf-fda-layoffs-768x432.jpg",33802,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-768x432.jpg",{"file":2008,"width":170,"height":170,"mime-type":161,"filesize":2009,"source_url":2010},"tmf-fda-layoffs-150x150.jpg",4712,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-150x150.jpg",{"file":2004,"width":165,"height":166,"mime-type":161,"filesize":2005,"source_url":2006},{"file":2013,"width":175,"height":176,"mime-type":161,"filesize":2014,"source_url":2015},"tmf-fda-layoffs-1536x864.jpg",107937,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-1536x864.jpg",{"file":2017,"width":1577,"height":2018,"mime-type":161,"filesize":2019,"source_url":2020},"tmf-fda-layoffs-2048x1151.jpg",1151,190107,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-2048x1151.jpg",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195,"keywords":2022},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs.jpg",{"subtitle":74,"key_takeaways":2025,"cta_type":74,"cta_color":74,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[2026,2028,2030],{"title":2027},"\u003Cp>Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) experienced widespread layoffs in key departments overseeing the safety of digital health technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":2029},"\u003Cp>We consider 5 digital health areas that could be the most impacted by such restructuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":2031},"\u003Cp>The events also raise an air of uncertainty about the FDA’s leading role in regulating the medical space and encouraging innovation; raising the question of whether other agencies could take up its role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":2033,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":74,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1970},"5 Digital Health Areas To Be Impacted By The FDA Layoffs - The Medical Futurist",{"self":2035,"collection":2040,"about":2042,"author":2044,"replies":2046,"version-history":2049,"predecessor-version":2052,"wp:featuredmedia":2056,"wp:attachment":2059,"wp:term":2062,"curies":2073},[2036],{"href":2037,"targetHints":2038},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58581",{"allow":2039},[37],[2041],{"href":228},[2043],{"href":231},[2045],{"embeddable":51,"href":341},[2047],{"embeddable":51,"href":2048},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58581",[2050],{"count":1726,"href":2051},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58581\u002Frevisions",[2053],{"id":2054,"href":2055},58595,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58581\u002Frevisions\u002F58595",[2057],{"embeddable":51,"href":2058},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F58589",[2060],{"href":2061},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58581",[2063,2065,2067,2069,2071],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":2064},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58581",{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":2066},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58581",{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":2068},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58581",{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":2070},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58581",{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":2072},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58581",[2074],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},[2076],{"id":21,"date":656,"date_gmt":657,"guid":2077,"modified":660,"modified_gmt":661,"slug":662,"status":62,"type":63,"link":663,"title":2078,"content":2079,"excerpt":2080,"author":71,"featured_media":670,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"sticky":51,"template":74,"format":75,"meta":2081,"categories":2082,"tags":2083,"project_category":2084,"contact_email_category":2085,"yst_prominent_words":2086,"class_list":2087,"better_featured_image":2088,"acf":2097,"yoast_meta":2103,"_links":2104},{"rendered":659},{"rendered":665},{"rendered":667,"protected":16},{"rendered":669,"protected":16},{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":74},[673,78,5,674,675],[697,698,699,700,677,678,679,680,82,681,682,683,684,99,685,686,687,394,688,101,689,690,691,692,693,694,695,696],[702,703,704,705],[],[112,405,407,399,708,709,710,711],[713,63,117,118,119,120,121,714,122,123,715,716,737,738,739,740,717,718,719,720,126,721,722,723,724,143,725,726,727,413,728,145,729,730,731,732,733,734,735,736,741,742,743,744],{"id":670,"alt_text":746,"caption":747,"description":748,"media_type":151,"media_details":2089,"post":766,"source_url":767},{"width":153,"height":154,"file":750,"sizes":2090,"image_meta":2096},{"medium":2091,"large":2092,"thumbnail":2093,"medium_large":2094,"1536x1536":2095},{"file":753,"width":186,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"source_url":754},{"file":756,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":757},{"file":759,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"source_url":760},{"file":756,"width":189,"height":190,"mime-type":311,"source_url":757},{"file":763,"width":432,"height":433,"mime-type":311,"source_url":764},{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},{"cta_type":439,"cta_color":74,"subtitle":74,"related_books":2098,"related_posts_footer":2099,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":2100},[770,771],[773,774,775],[2101,2102],{"title":778},{"title":780},{"yoast_wpseo_title":782,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":783,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":663},{"self":2105,"collection":2109,"about":2111,"author":2113,"replies":2115,"version-history":2117,"predecessor-version":2119,"wp:featuredmedia":2121,"wp:attachment":2123,"wp:term":2125,"curies":2131},[2106],{"href":787,"targetHints":2107},{"allow":2108},[37],[2110],{"href":228},[2112],{"href":231},[2114],{"embeddable":51,"href":234},[2116],{"embeddable":51,"href":798},[2118],{"count":801,"href":802},[2120],{"id":805,"href":806},[2122],{"embeddable":51,"href":809},[2124],{"href":812},[2126,2127,2128,2129,2130],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":51,"href":815},{"taxonomy":256,"embeddable":51,"href":817},{"taxonomy":259,"embeddable":51,"href":819},{"taxonomy":262,"embeddable":51,"href":821},{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":823},[2132],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},[2134],{"id":26,"date":2135,"date_gmt":2136,"guid":2137,"modified":2139,"modified_gmt":2140,"slug":2141,"status":62,"type":2142,"link":2143,"title":2144,"content":2146,"excerpt":2148,"author":2150,"featured_media":2151,"comment_status":73,"ping_status":73,"template":74,"yst_prominent_words":2152,"class_list":2155,"better_featured_image":2158,"acf":2176,"yoast_meta":2196,"_links":2199},"2019-09-06T22:00:04","2019-09-06T20:00:04",{"rendered":2138},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_type=book&p=24764","2023-03-12T18:14:56","2023-03-12T17:14:56","technologies-shaping-the-future-of-pharma","book","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fbooks\u002Ftechnologies-shaping-the-future-of-pharma\u002F",{"rendered":2145},"How Technologies are Shaping the Future of Pharma",{"rendered":2147,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>We designed this e-book to serve as a collection of relevant examples, best practices and exciting ideas that can help any pharmaceutical company prepare for change. Many pharma companies have been trying to hop on the “digital train”. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fthefutureofpharma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This e-book\u003C\u002Fa> was meant to prove that instead of a train of innovation, stakeholders should think in terms of spaceships and while there is still time to embrace digital health and patient empowerment, those that do it faster will get exponentially ahead of their competitors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":2149,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>We designed this e-book to serve as a collection of relevant examples, best practices and exciting ideas that can help any pharmaceutical company prepare for […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",10,49977,[399,2153,2154],2349,4977,[2156,2142,2157,118,120,121],"post-24764","type-book",{"id":2151,"alt_text":74,"caption":74,"description":74,"media_type":151,"media_details":2159,"post":26,"source_url":2175},{"width":2160,"height":2161,"file":2162,"filesize":2163,"sizes":2164,"image_meta":2174},320,415,"2019\u002F09\u002Ffuture-of-pharma.png",23355,{"medium":2165,"thumbnail":2170},{"file":2166,"width":2167,"height":187,"mime-type":311,"filesize":2168,"source_url":2169},"future-of-pharma-320x208.png","320","49756","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002Ffuture-of-pharma-320x208.png",{"file":2171,"width":184,"height":184,"mime-type":311,"filesize":2172,"source_url":2173},"future-of-pharma-150x150.png","21008","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002Ffuture-of-pharma-150x150.png",{"aperture":195,"credit":74,"camera":74,"caption":74,"created_timestamp":195,"copyright":74,"focal_length":195,"iso":195,"shutter_speed":195,"title":74,"orientation":195},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002Ffuture-of-pharma.png",{"leanpub_url":2177,"buy_button_text":2178,"preview":2179},"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fthefutureofpharma?utm_source=books&utm_medium=referral","Get it on Leanpub",[2180,2182,2184,2186,2188,2190,2192,2194],{"image":2181},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F1114_pharma_ebook_2022-cover-copy.png",{"image":2183},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FTechnologies-Shaping-The-Future-of-Pharma-UPDATED-03.png",{"image":2185},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FTechnologies-Shaping-The-Future-of-Pharma-UPDATED-04.png",{"image":2187},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FTechnologies-Shaping-The-Future-of-Pharma-UPDATED-05.png",{"image":2189},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FTechnologies-Shaping-The-Future-of-Pharma-UPDATED-06.png",{"image":2191},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FTechnologies-Shaping-The-Future-of-Pharma-UPDATED-07.png",{"image":2193},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FTechnologies-Shaping-The-Future-of-Pharma-UPDATED-08.png",{"image":2195},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002FTechnologies-Shaping-The-Future-of-Pharma-UPDATED-09.png",{"yoast_wpseo_title":2197,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":2198,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":2143},"How Technologies are Shaping the Future of Pharma - The Medical Futurist","This e-book serves as a collection of relevant examples, best practices and exciting ideas that can help pharmaceuticcal companies prepare for change.",{"self":2200,"collection":2205,"about":2208,"author":2211,"replies":2214,"wp:featuredmedia":2217,"wp:attachment":2220,"wp:term":2223,"curies":2226},[2201],{"href":2202,"targetHints":2203},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fbook\u002F24764",{"allow":2204},[37],[2206],{"href":2207},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fbook",[2209],{"href":2210},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fbook",[2212],{"embeddable":51,"href":2213},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F10",[2215],{"embeddable":51,"href":2216},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=24764",[2218],{"embeddable":51,"href":2219},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F49977",[2221],{"href":2222},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=24764",[2224],{"taxonomy":265,"embeddable":51,"href":2225},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=24764",[2227],{"name":49,"href":50,"templated":51},1785956496164]