BT eyes technology revolution for pharma industry

New Delhi, Sep 25 (UNI) The pharmaceutical industry will lose patient trust within 10 years unless it learns to adapt to changes in the way healthcare will be created, delivered and managed, British Telecom (BT) said in a study.

In the study, BT said by 2016 healthcare will become a commodity in the way that energy is today.

''Technology will provide a joined up patient service to meet individual health requirements and demands on a daily basis.

Knowledge transfers of electronic record systems between hospitals, clinics and GPs are already speeding up treatment times,'' it said.

New developments like tele-health will provide virtual consultations that eliminate all but essential visits to hospitals and clinics, BT added.

BT has urged the pharmaceutical industry to adapt and build closer links with patients.

''Pharmas must create a direct dialogue with consumers if they want to become part of the new, joined-up healthcare network. As technology facilitates an increasingly close relationship between doctor and patients, pharmas need to reposition themselves,'' BT Global Services Managing Director Laurie Bowen said.

UNI