The Paradox of Smart Medicine: When Simple Beats Clever

This case study exposes why algorithmic cleverness can be deadly in healthcare contexts. Agada, an Indian medicine-substitution app, deliberately limits its matching engine to prevent catastrophic errors—such as confusing a 500mg antibiotic with a 200mg one. In a country where millions depend on affordable generics to replace expensive branded medicines, this disciplined restraint isn't a limitation—it's the line between cost savings and preserving lives.