SMART MEDICATION BOX IN HOME MEDICATION MANAGEMENT: PROGRESS, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE TRENDS

Abstract

The rapid aging of the global population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases have rendered medication management a critical public health challenge. Poor medication adherence among elderly patients leads to compromised therapeutic outcomes, higher complication rates, and increased healthcare costs. Smart medication boxes, which integrate Internet of Things (IoT) technology, embedded systems, and cloud computing, have emerged as promising tools to address these challenges through functions including timed reminders, automated dispensing, medication logging, remote monitoring, and emergency calling. This paper presents a systematic review of technological advancements, product development, and research trends in smart medication boxes. The technical architecture encompassing hardware components and software functions is comprehensively analyzed. Representative products from both international and domestic markets are compared, highlighting differences in functional completeness, cost-effectiveness, and age-friendly design. Key challenges including system reliability, user acceptance, data security, and standardization are identified and discussed. Future development directions incorporating artificial intelligence-assisted decision-making, 5G-enabled edge computing, and policy integration are proposed. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, product developers, and policymakers engaged in smart aging and digital health technologies.