Pharma Goes High-Tech: The IoT Revolution

The pharmaceutical industry is always up for new tech, and the Internet of Things is one of the hottest trends. In fact, more than 60% of hospitals around the world are already using IoT devices for all kinds of healthcare applications. And it's only going to grow – by 2025, IoT adoption in healthcare is set to hit a huge 87%.

This blog explores how IoT and mobile apps can team up to make pharmaceutical services even better. So, let’s get started!

The Scoop on IoT and Mobile Apps: What You Need to Know

The Internet of Things (IoT) connects everyday devices to the Internet, and when you team it up with mobile apps, it creates super effective, real-time solutions that can totally boost pharmaceutical services and improve patient care.

IoT 101

In simple terms, IoT connects everyday objects to the internet. These gadgets are packed with sensors and software. So, they can send and receive data automatically without anyone having to step in. 

IoT can monitor drug storage conditions, track shipments, and even make sure patients are sticking to their treatments. In fact, using IoT for medication management can improve adherence rates by 30%. Take, for instance, sensors in a medicine box that track when it’s opened, giving patients an alert when it’s time to take their meds. 

For example, Cubet created a system that handles drug schedules ranging from 2 minutes to 14 hours. We used an IoT device with sensors to make sure the delivery was spot-on. The device sends updates via Bluetooth to a mobile app, and all the data is synced with a website where delivery histories and details can be checked. The project boosted accuracy and efficiency in drug delivery.

Connecting Mobile Apps with IoT Devices

When you connect IoT with mobile apps, you can access a whole new level of possibilities. How? Well, let's make it easier to understand:

1. Imagine the mobile app as the control hub. 
2. It gets all the data from the IoT devices and processes it. 
3. The mobile app shows the data in a way that’s easy to understand. 

So, you could get an alert on your phone if the temperature of a vaccine storage drops too low or if a patient skips their dose. 

Here are the steps for connecting a mobile app to an IoT device:

1. Device Setup

Set up an IoT device, such as a sensor or wearable. This means powering it up and making sure it’s properly configured to start gathering data. For example, you need to calibrate a temperature sensor in a vaccine storage facility so it can accurately monitor and report the temperature.

2. Mobile Application Development

Build a mobile app to work with an IoT device. It's a bit like tuning a walkie-talkie. Both the app and the device need to be on the same “frequency” to communicate properly. Basically, you've to set up the app so it can understand and make sense of the data coming from the device and show it in a way that’s easy for users to understand.

3. Cloud or Gateway Integration

The data from the IoT device gets sent to the cloud or a local hub. This means the information travels over the internet to a secure server or a local spot. Then, the mobile app takes this data through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), so it can show you the latest info whenever you need it. That's cloud integration.

4. Real-Time Data Sync

Your mobile app gets the latest info as it happens. For example, if you’re tracking the temperature in a storage facility, the app will show you live updates. This way, you can keep an eye on various aspects and act quickly if something goes off track.

Keeping IoT Safe in Pharma

Even one tiny security flaw can put patients at risk. What if hackers messed with the temperature settings of your medication storage? The drugs could end up getting ruined, which is a big deal. So, IoT security is super important in pharmaceuticals. 

The Need for Security

IoT in pharma involves sensitive patient info, crucial inventory, and strict regulations. If an IoT system gets compromised, it could lead to some serious problems. For instance, it might leak sensitive patient information or mess up the supply chain for important medications. In reality, about 92% of healthcare organizations have faced a data breach in the last three years. That's a pretty big deal!

Common IoT Security Protocols

1. Encryption

The first step you need to take is to encrypt the data as it moves between devices and mobile apps. This is like locking the data in a safe. Even if a hacker tries to access it, they won’t be able to understand what’s inside.

2. Authentication

Devices and apps need to make sure they're talking to the right people or systems. This usually means using methods like:

• Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
• Public key infrastructure (PKI)
• Token-based authentication

Such methods confirm that both sides are legitimate and not pretending to be someone else. 

3. Firmware Updates

Regularly updating firmware helps fix security holes. When IoT devices first arrive, they usually come with just basic security. As time goes on, you need to keep updating them to keep them secure.

4. Secure APIs

When mobile apps connect to IoT devices, they usually do it through APIs. You must keep these connections secure. Basically, you've to make sure no one can get their hands on your data without your say.

Breaking Down Bluetooth Bumps in Healthcare

Bluetooth is a popular choice for connecting IoT devices with mobile apps. After all, it’s energy-efficient and convenient. For example, wearable health trackers, glucose monitors, and smart pill dispensers all use Bluetooth to send data back and forth. This way, keeping track of health data becomes easier without the hassle of cables.

Bluetooth Challenges

Bluetooth is pretty handy but still not perfect. Let’s find out some of the issues you might run into:

1. Interference

Bluetooth uses ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio waves. They run at around 2.4 gigahertz (that’s 2.4 billion waves per second). But it can get interfered with by other devices. So, in a busy hospital or lab filled with all sorts of electronic gear, this interference can be a real problem.  

2. Security

It's possible for someone with bad intentions to hack into a device using tricks like “bluejacking.” For medical devices, this could be a huge problem. What if someone messes with a device that tracks patient info or controls their treatment? It could seriously compromise patient safety or disturb how the device works.

3. Range Limitations

Bluetooth's effective range is limited. In large medical facilities, devices might be too far apart to maintain stable connections without additional network extenders or more sophisticated infrastructure.

Mastering Bluetooth in Pharma: Tips and Tricks for Better Connectivity

Using Bluetooth in sensitive areas like healthcare can be tricky, so you must stick to best practices to keep everything secure and reliable.

Encryption 

Encryption helps keep the data between IoT devices and mobile apps safe. It's like putting a lock on your data. Strong encryption makes sure that sensitive info, like patient details or drug storage conditions, stays private, even if unauthorized parties try to intercept the connection. 

Firmware Patching

Firmware patching is another vital practice. IoT devices have firmware that can get old and potentially risky over time. Regular updates help fix any security holes and keep hackers away, making sure your critical data stays safe.

Bluetooth Range

Keeping devices and mobile apps within this range in places like pharmacies prevents issues like lost signals or partial data. Bluetooth doesn’t work over huge distances, so you need to make sure your devices are close enough to each other for a strong connection. This way, everything communicates smoothly and reliably.

Getting the Most Out of Your IoT Device Data

Data is the heart of IoT systems, but keeping track of it isn’t easy. The amount of data can be huge in pharmaceutical IoT. Every pill dispenser, sensor, or wearable constantly sends data around the clock – that’s a lot of information to handle!

Key Data Management Aspects

1. Data Storage

All IoT data needs to be kept safe, whether it’s stored in the cloud or on local servers. This could include the following aspects:

• temperature logs for medication storage
• reports on whether patients are sticking to their treatment plans
• stats on how often devices are used

Basically, you've to make sure all that important info stays secure and accessible.

2. Data Integrity

Make sure the data is spot-on and hasn’t been tampered with. Even tiny errors can lead to big problems, especially in the case of medication dosages or patient health info.

3. Data Access

Who gets to see the data? Setting access permissions makes sure that only the right people can see or change the information. They could include the following:

• pharmacists
• doctors
• warehouse managers 

4. Data Analytics

After you collect the data, you need to make sense of it to get any value. Advanced data analytics tools can really help here – they can predict the following:

• when you might run low on medications
• if patients aren’t sticking to their treatment plans
• even figure out the best routes for delivering medical supplies

Conclusion

IoT technology can give a superpower to your supply chains, making sure medications are delivered perfectly and on time. Plus, it helps in keeping track of patients' treatments and meeting all regulatory rules. Think of it as connecting your mobile apps to gadgets, dealing with Bluetooth issues, keeping data safe, and handling a lot of info – the possibilities are huge!

Jumping on board with advanced IoT tech can help pharmaceutical services shift from just reacting to issues to being proactive with data-driven strategies. This move improves efficiency and guarantees that patients get top-notch care. 

Whether you’re improving how drugs are stored, keeping an eye on patient adherence, or making your operations smoother, Cubet has the IoT tools to keep you ahead. It’s time to get in touch with us and move into the future.