ABSTRACT
As we describe the gains that can be made by greater adoption of information and biotechnologies against the backdrop of the current state of our healthcare industry (with particular reference to the United States), it is easy to believe that we are at this tipping point. By one estimate by the Rand Corporation, if 90% of U.S. hospitals and physicians were to adopt hospital information systems over the next 15 years, the industry would save $77 billion per year from eciency gains.2 If health and safety gains are considered also, these savings could double to 6% of the $2.6 trillion estimated to have been spent on healthcare in 2009. ese savings are compelling and it is not surprising that governments are attempting to control escalating healthcare costs through the adoption of better information and biotechnologies. e bottom line is that these changes will have an impact on pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists because the current system of healthcare is simply not sustainable.
