Text-alert pills to combat TB
TEXT messages are the latest strategy in the battle against tuberculosis.
Smart SIM cards, which know if and when a patient has taken their antibiotics, are being considered by the World Health Organisation's Stop TB department.
London-based SIMpill has developed a small pill bottle that holds a SIM card. When the bottle is opened, the SIM delivers a message with a unique pill box ID number to a central server. If the message is not delivered at a designated time, the server automatically alerts the patient by phone to take their medication.
The aim is to use the text messaging service for patients in the world's most remote locations and a report has revealed that a pilot project has already been successful.
Treatment for tuberculosis is a combination of strong antibiotics that must be taken for at least six months.
A pilot study in South Africa with the SIMpill showed that 86-92pc of patients were taking their medication on a daily basis after 10 months with a treatment success rate of 94pc.
- Clodagh Sheehy
