'The tiny edible microchip records precise details of medication programmes through a monitoring “receiver” patch attached to patients’ shoulder or arm.

Costing about £50 a month, medical experts said the new “intelligent medicines” could revolutionise the way patients take drugs, which will allow them to better follow doctors’ orders. Figures from the World Health Organisation suggest that up to half of patients do not take their medications properly, potentially placing their health at risk. The annual cost to the NHS of unused medication is estimated to be up £400 million.

According to the pill’s manufacturer, the “sensor” can monitor when drugs are taken, how much dosage should be administered while at the same time monitoring a patient’s heart rate and body temperature.'

Read more: New 'Smart' Pill Tells Patients When Drugs Dose Due