Rxmindr wins Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Maryland’s Second District

When asked what inspired the creation of Rxmindr, the students said, “From the needles of vaccines to the funky-tasting antibiotic pills, I have always hated taking medicine. Half-empty bottles of antibiotics from skipped courses or from forgetting to take the medicine on time filled up in my desk drawer. With each forgotten pill and skipped dosage, I was unknowingly fostering an environment where bacteria could thrive and develop resistance to the antibiotic I was taking. This problem hasn’t just affected me, however; the CDC has estimated that ‘In the U.S., more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year.’ These infections only increase in number with improper medicine usage, a rise that can be prevented by the fostering of proper usage. I learned more about the grave ramifications of improper usage not from a doctor or pharmacist, but rather my own dad. My dad suffered from a stroke earlier this year and has constantly been taking a multitude of medications every single day. These medications not only reduce his chance of having another stroke but also give him peace of mind. However, the anticoagulants my dad takes have proven to be a two-faced coin. The daily question ‘Have I taken my anticoagulant?’ that my dad asked gave our family anxiety, as missing a dose is harmful, but taking an extra could be even more dangerous. My dad could belong to the 75% of Americans who improperly take their medications. But seeing the stress the simple task of taking medications properly gave him, I was inspired to create a simple way for him and others to manage the unassuming task of proper medication usage. With a simple scan, Rxmindr will help alleviate the widespread problem of improper medication usage and help aid patients in taking medications at the right time and quantity.”