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Five ways AI can improve medication adherence

News
May 15, 2025
Blog, Maxor

Join us for the latest in our series, AI in healthcare. Learn how AI is transforming the way we track, predict, and promote medication adherence.

Medication adherence, or the extent to which patients take their medications as prescribed, is a critical factor in managing chronic conditions. For treatment to be effective, patients need to take their medications at least 80 percent of the time. Overall, patient adherence rates are estimated to be around 50 percent. That means 50% of patients are non-adherent.

The consequences of non-adherence are significant. It can lead to poor health outcomes, shorter lifespans, increased hospitalizations, and more than $500 billion in avoidable healthcare costs each year. In the United States alone, approximately 125,000 deaths a year are linked to medication non-adherence.

So how can we improve these outcomes? Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool to help patients stay on track. Here are five ways AI is making a difference:

1. Machine learning

Machine learning can analyze large datasets to identify patterns and risk factors related to medication adherence. It has already been used to predict adherence in conditions like type 2 diabetes and opioid use disorder. These insights allow healthcare providers to identify patients at higher risk for non-adherence and intervene earlier.

2. Smart pill bottles

Modern electronic pill bottles can track when the bottle is opened, send reminders about missed doses, and share data directly with providers.

For example, a study involving patients with multiple sclerosis found that those who received medication reminders had better adherence and were more likely to take their medication on time. Another study of breast cancer patients showed a 97.3 percent adherence rate among those who received reminders, compared to 88.3 percent among those who did not.

3. Mobile apps

Around 90 percent of U.S. adults own a smartphone, and nearly two-thirds have used a health app in the past year. Medication reminder apps can prompt users to take their medications and help track usage over time. These apps also promote engagement, which is often associated with healthier behaviors.

4. Chatbots

AI-powered chatbots can collect data on medication-taking habits and flag potential issues. They can also provide personalized support, answer questions, and encourage patients to stick with their treatment plans.

5. Smart drug-device combinations

The Food and Drug Administration approved its first digital drug-device combination nearly a decade ago. The product included a pill embedded with an ingestible sensor that tracked whether the medication was taken and sent the data to providers.

Today, there are also FDA-approved smart insulin pens and inhalers that help patients and providers monitor adherence and improve chronic disease management.

Final thoughts

Improving medication adherence benefits everyone. It leads to better patient outcomes, fewer hospitalizations, and significant cost savings. With AI, we have new tools to identify, support, and engage patients in ways that make a real impact.

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