Look out, your medicine is watching you

[Celebration]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A754720101108

Novartis AG plans to seek regulatory approval within 18 months for a pioneering tablet containing an embedded microchip, bringing the concept of "smart-pill" technology a step closer.

The initial program will use one of the Swiss firm's established drugs taken by transplant patients to avoid organ rejection. But Trevor Mundel, global head of development, believes the concept can be applied to many other pills.

"We are taking forward this transplant drug with a chip and we hope within the next 18 months to have something that we will be able to submit to the regulators, at least in Europe," Mundel told the Reuters Health Summit in New York.

[evirus]

1. that could actually be useful

but sadly what will probably be focused on is the paranoia aspect.

[trotsky]

2. Yes, incredibly useful.

But the subject line confirms your suspicions. The media goes for the fear-mongering angle, and some people lap it right up.

[laconicsax]

3. What possible use could this sort of technology have?

It's is obviously an insidious plot by PHARMA to poison us and read our e-mail.