Semester 1 2025 App Development
RuruCare
Introducing RuruCare!
Access to clear and reliable medicine information shouldn't be limited to those with medical knowledge or digital skills. In New Zealand, the lack of accessible medication details contributes to preventable harm. RuruCare addresses this by providing a user-friendly mobile app that makes official Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) from Medsafe easy to access and understand for all New Zealanders. The app includes a barcode scanner, search tool, and a medicine catalogue. Information is displayed in simplified, collapsible sections to support readability. Designed for users of all ages and abilities, RuruCare includes accessibility features such as adjustable text size, high contrast modes, and narrator support. RuruCare delivers an accessible, cross-platform app offering Medsafe’s CMIs in an intuitive format. It empowers users to better understand their medications and supports safer health decisions across the community.
Background
Access to reliable medication information is essential for safe and effective medicine use. While healthcare professionals are the primary sources of this information, New Zealand offers limited resources to the public. Current websites such as Medsafe or NZ Formulary are primarily designed with healthcare professionals in mind, making them difficult to navigate, not fully accessible and failing to meet the diverse needs of patients. Healthify, while publicly designed, is not a mobile app and offers narrow information, limiting accessibility and convenience. Additionally, printed leaflets, which are not mandatory in New Zealand, often use complicated language or lack sufficient detail (Medsafe, 2023), leading Kiwis to alternative and unreliable sources, increasing the risks such as incorrect administration, drug interactions, and missed or overlapping doses (Healthify, 2025). Rurucare aims to bridge this gap by providing an accessible mobile app designed with the public in mind. Our app allows users to scan medication barcodes, browse a catalogue, or search a drug’s name, providing quick and easy access to crucial information. This not only enhances convenience and accuracy but also reduces the burden of long documents. Additionally, our app offers a range of accessibility features, such as text size adjustment, text to speech and a colour blind friendly interface. Furthermore, Rurucare will be the first mobile app in New Zealand that provides the public with medication information. Given that 85% of consumers favour mobile apps over websites for their convenience, speed, and ease of navigation, a mobile application will significantly enhance access to essential medication information (Moth, 2013).
developed by The Official Department of Anteater
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