Comments on: Security Review: Smart pillboxes, maybe too smart? http://cubist.cs.washington.edu/Security/2008/02/10/security-review-smart-pillboxes-maybe-too-smart/ Fri, 16 May 2008 17:01:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Wintermute http://cubist.cs.washington.edu/Security/2008/02/10/security-review-smart-pillboxes-maybe-too-smart/#comment-4355 Wintermute Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:06:33 +0000 http://cubist.cs.washington.edu/Security/2008/02/10/security-review-smart-pillboxes-maybe-too-smart/#comment-4355 Another problem here is if the box is used to get information on symptoms ect. is the lack of human contact. Many symptoms can only be diagnosed live, and might not correspond to pre-defiined symptoms. The box should not be used to replace patient/doctor or patient/nurse interactions for this reason. Also, if the phone line goes down of there is a power failure, will the person be able to access thier medication? Missing a day (or in a large power failure) a week of medication can have very severe consequences. Another problem here is if the box is used to get information on symptoms ect. is the lack of human contact. Many symptoms can only be diagnosed live, and might not correspond to pre-defiined symptoms. The box should not be used to replace patient/doctor or patient/nurse interactions for this reason.

Also, if the phone line goes down of there is a power failure, will the person be able to access thier medication? Missing a day (or in a large power failure) a week of medication can have very severe consequences.

]]> By: Jessica http://cubist.cs.washington.edu/Security/2008/02/10/security-review-smart-pillboxes-maybe-too-smart/#comment-589 Jessica Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:17:41 +0000 http://cubist.cs.washington.edu/Security/2008/02/10/security-review-smart-pillboxes-maybe-too-smart/#comment-589 Another potential adversary of this system is a street drug dealer or drug addict. Many prescription drugs (especially narcotics, pain killers and anti-depressants) can fetch an extremely high price on the street. In particular, hydromorphone can cost more than $75 for one 4-mg pill (http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/201/300/cdn_medical_association/cmaj/vol-159/issue-2/0149.htm). This medication can be taken every 1 ½ to 4 hours continuously throughout the day meaning that up to 480 pills are in a one-month supply(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydromorphone). This means a one-month supply of this could get $36,000 on the street. The FDA advises that people do not throw out pills in their pharmacy containers as these are easily recognizable and stolen from trash and abused (http://whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/factsht/proper_disposal.html). Some pills are so desirable that the FDA recommends that they be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown out. Among these are morphine and oxycodone. Having a system that broadcasts (particularly if communications are unencrypted) who takes which drugs only helps a potential adversary more easily locate desirable pills. If an adversary knew the exact location of desirable prescription drugs, it would be possible for them to target specific homes with the drugs (and it is sure a lot cleaner to listen to signals over the air than go dumpster diving). Though not as profitable as breaking into a pharmacy, it is probably easier as there is less surveillance on a private home. Another potential adversary of this system is a street drug dealer or drug addict. Many prescription drugs (especially narcotics, pain killers and anti-depressants) can fetch an extremely high price on the street. In particular, hydromorphone can cost more than $75 for one 4-mg pill (http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/201/300/cdn_medical_association/cmaj/vol-159/issue-2/0149.htm). This medication can be taken every 1 ½ to 4 hours continuously throughout the day meaning that up to 480 pills are in a one-month supply(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydromorphone). This means a one-month supply of this could get $36,000 on the street.

The FDA advises that people do not throw out pills in their pharmacy containers as these are easily recognizable and stolen from trash and abused (http://whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/factsht/proper_disposal.html). Some pills are so desirable that the FDA recommends that they be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown out. Among these are morphine and oxycodone.

Having a system that broadcasts (particularly if communications are unencrypted) who takes which drugs only helps a potential adversary more easily locate desirable pills. If an adversary knew the exact location of desirable prescription drugs, it would be possible for them to target specific homes with the drugs (and it is sure a lot cleaner to listen to signals over the air than go dumpster diving). Though not as profitable as breaking into a pharmacy, it is probably easier as there is less surveillance on a private home.

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