FDA OKs Computerized Pillbox

The FDA has approved a new computerized pillbox called EMMA
that dispenses patients' prescription drugs at home to help prevent medication
errors.

EMMA (Electronic Medication Management Assistant) is roughly the size of a
bread box. It may be particularly helpful for older patients or people with
complex dosing schedules, notes the FDA.

EMMA stores prescription drugs, sounds an alert when patients are supposed
to take their medications, and releases the drugs into a delivery tray when
activated by the patient at the appropriate time.

The device, which plugs into a standard power outlet, is to be used under
the supervision of a licensed health care provider.

Doctors, pharmacists, or other health care professionals can access EMMA
online to tweak patients' dosing schedule or prescriptions, or to monitor
patients' access to their medications.

EMMA is made by INRange Systems of Altoona, Pa.

By Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by Louise Chang
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