It does, however, deliver the proper dosage at the proper time, as long as the patient uses its built-in fingerprint scanner.

The prototype device was designed mainly with painkillers in mind. Many people exceed the recommended dosage of such pharmaceuticals, risking both their immediate health and the chance of developing a long-term addiction. Additionally, narcotic painkillers like OxyContin are frequently acquired by prescription, but then sold for recreational use.

In the case of the Johns Hopkins dispenser, medication is added by the pharmacist via a lockable opening in the bottom – the pharmacist has a key to that opening, but the patient doesn't. At the same time that the container is filled, the patient's fingerprint is also scanned and matched to the device.