Pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies face several challenges, including highly competitive landscapes for the introduction of new drugs and equipment, the need to analyze patient data that is not always easily integrated, and stringent data privacy requirements. Much of this data has tended to remain in silos. Many of today's IIoT initiatives are focused on making this data more accessible in real time, driving the following use cases with these potential benefits:

• Clinical trial innovation: More completed tests and improved time to market
• Distribution: Matched distribution to local needs and minimized waste
• Outcomes: Understand adherence to prescriptions, utilization of equipment, and success of drugs and equipment

Healthcare providers have progressed in reporting patient status through the adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and data exchange standards. That said, the automation of patient information reporting from equipment directly into EMRs is still a work in progress for many providers. Meanwhile, IIoT initiatives are also being pursued in non-patient data areas such as supply chain management.

At the time this book was published, there was much speculation about how IIoT devices and their integration could automate and improve healthcare in the future. Government requirements and regulations and bold innovations by non-traditional players will likely be driving forces behind some of the increased IIoT adoption that we'll see.