Taking prescribed medicine incorrectly kills millions of patients a year worldwide. Manle Technology founder Long Tianwei is on a mission to fix that
Long Tianwei is one of 20 recipients of the Gen.T X Credit Suisse Social Impact Awards. The awards recognise Gen.T honourees who have made significant contributions to Asian society in the fields of social impact, sustainability or innovation.
“In China, the total number of deaths caused by people getting an incorrect prescription is equal to the deaths caused by traffic accidents,” says entrepreneur Long Tianwei, the founder of Beijing-based medical startup Manle Technology. “And it’s not just a Chinese issue; it’s the same all over the world.”
Long first became aware of the problem when his father developed medical issues. By helping him deal with the illness, he saw first-hand the importance of patients adhering to their medication regimes to reach a full recovery—and the potentially fatal consequences if they don’t.
“The problem is a shortage of licensed pharmacists,” says Long. “Many patients don’t have medical knowledge or know how to use their medicine. This is where intelligent medication comes in—helping patients make small changes that could save their life.”
Manle Technology’s mission is to “train smarter patients”, helping them take the right medication, in the correct dosage at proper intervals.
“Patients always forget to take their medicine, so the first thing we did is create a reminder system that works,” says Long. “Today we are developing an intelligent robot to keep patients company when they take their medicine.”
Manle Technology’s first goal is awareness: most patients aren’t aware of the potentially fatal consequences of not taking their medicine properly. At the same time, the startup is building the tools to help people stick to their prescriptions. “Eventually, we will be able to create a solution that involves both people and technology.”
To see all winners of the Gen.T X Credit Suisse Social Impact Awards, visit the Social Impact Awards hub.