Echo - innovation in medication

by Startacus Admin

Every year, the NHS spends close to £18 billion on medication. Anywhere up to half of the medication prescribed for long-term use is not taken as prescribed, however, with people forgetting to take it, putting off taking it, forgetting the correct dosage, or even running out and not getting around to picking up another prescription. This is, obviously, not an ideal state of affairs.

Echo is a UK MedTech startup created with the intention of removing barriers to medication adherence. Echo’s service is free and simple for anyone in England to use. All you need to do is add the medication you need - by searching for it or by scanning its barcode - and your GP to your account via the app, and Echo will get your prescription approved by your GP and have it posted to you for free, in discreet packaging.

The app automatically keeps track of how much medication you have left and gives you a simple two-tap option to request a refill, meaning it’s harder than ever to forget or neglect to refill a prescription.

Beyond receiving a prescription, the Echo app helps you keep on top of actually taking it, too. It will remind you when it is time to take your medication and what dosage, with an acknowledgement on your part that, again, makes it that bit harder to neglect. Other health-related reminders are available too, ensuring that you don’t forget to check in with your GP.

The value of Echo is obvious: not only does it stand to save the NHS billions in wasted medication every year, but it also makes it easier to manage long-term conditions and ongoing medication adherence, which keeps people safer and healthier.

And it's pretty clear that VC investors see the benefit too, as just last month this MedTech startup raised a reported £7m in VC funding. Now that's pretty healthy. 

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• #prescription
• #medical app
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• #echo

Published on: 5th November 2017