While Voice assistants and chatbots have started to make inroads in clinical care with patient information and scheduling apps, biotech and pharma are now starting to jump in the game. Gartner predicted that by 2020, 30% of web browsing sessions will be done using voice assistants or virtual reality.

Here are a few ways communication-based technology is shaping the future of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Prescription reminders

People suffering from chronic illness, such as diabetes or cardiac disease, often have to take up to a dozen pills. They have to remember to take them at specific intervals and get them refilled. This often leads to noncompliance unless a caregiver is really on top of things. Pillo is a voice-activated intelligent assistant that not only dispenses medications, but also gives therapy reminders and health reminders.

Several home health companies and assisted living facilities are also piloting voice assistants. Libertana Home Health found the voice apps become “friends” to their clients, offering companionship and a sense of comfort, along with health assistance.

Clinical trial adherence

In 2017, global drug development solution provider ICON introduced a pilot Voice Assistant that records patient-submitted outcome data and collects responses. This data will shape the future structure and design of future clinical trials.

Laboratory systems

On the B2B front, the laboratory space is ripe for voice penetration. Lab researchers are often gloved up or gowned up, so voice could lead to efficiency gains during experiment design or inventory management.

HelixAI is developing a voice-powered app that helps scientists with protocols. I see this being a huge help for student researchers who are learning lab safety or need to access reference information at the lab bench.

Keeping manufacturing clean

Several academic institutions have developed voice interfaces for instrumentation controls. Most of the potential contamination in food and drug processing is caused by humans passing on pathogens through their hands, so voice controls may lead to substantial gains in quality control.

We’re at the start of a long road

Voice is at the stage websites and email were in the early 1990s. There will be huge gains as companies figure out the applications that help humans while not invading privacy. If you want to get on the voice train early, contact one of our specialists.

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