Home Pill Dispenser Operating Technologies: Automation Mechanisms Comparison

Treatment non-adherence is a widespread problem in healthcare context, which puts the health of many patients at risk and significantly affects the costs of the healthcare system. The solution to this problem has promoted the use of pill dispensers for the controlled distribution of therapy at home. This paper provides a general overview of the current state of the art of home pill dispensers’ operating principles. The analysis, which is technical in nature, focuses on the mechanical features as well as the operational and functional mechanisms. Three macro-categories of devices are identified, which differ in their functional mechanisms and design characteristics. The different dispensers belonging to each group are analyzed, and the categories are compared. The results, presented using a schematic approach, provide an indication of the technologies used to produce these devices.