JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Older adults often face challenges self-managing their medication due to physical and cognitive limitations, complex medication regimens and packaging of medications. Emerging “smart” medication dispensing, and adherence products (SMAPs) offer the options of automated dispensing, tracking medication intake in real time, and reminders and notifications. A 2021 review identified 51 SMAPs due to the rapid influx of digital technology; an update to this review is required.

Objective:

To identify new products, summarize and compare the key features of SMAPs.

Methods:

Grey and published literature and videos were searched on Google, YouTube, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. The first 10 pages of Google and the first 100 results of YouTube were screened by using 4 and 5 keyword searches, respectively. SMAPs were included if they were able to store and allow dispensation of medications, tracked real-time medication intake data, and could automatically analyze data. Products were excluded if they were stand-alone software applications, not marketed in English, not for in-home use, or only used in clinical trials. Five researchers independently screened and abstracted data.

Results:

The review identified 114 SMAPs, including 80 marketed and 34 prototypes, grouped into 14 types. Among the marketed products, 67.5% (n=54) are available for consumer purchase. Of these products, 25.9% (n=14) are available globally, and 77.8% (n=42) in North America.

Conclusions:

An expanding market for SMAPs designed with features specific to at-home patient use is emerging. Healthcare professionals can utilize these features to select and suggest products that meet their patients’ unique requirements.