Platinum is playing a key role in a new type of 'pharmacy' chip which could help to treat diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer, it has been confirmed.

Following 17 years of research, MicroChips has formulated a testing device about the size of a pager which can be safely implanted in sick patients, Forbes.com reports.

The chip contains a membrane of platinum foil - which is about a third as thick as a human hair - sandwiched between two layers of titanium.

Making use of a flat antenna on one side that can pick up radio signals coming from inside the body, the device houses a silicon wafer which can store and deliver drugs upon command.

"When you understand the patient's genetic profile, you could figure out all the right drugs and timing and administer them directly," commented Robert Langer, co-founder of MicroChips.

The company's first trial will be to ascertain whether the device can be used to replace the year of daily injections required by the bone-building osteoporosis drug Forteo.

Mr Langer and his business partner John Santini believe their chip could also allow multi-drug treatments to be administered to cancer patients by placing it near tumours.

Similarly, blood sugar monitors can only measure levels for about a week before being contaminated at present, but the MicroChips design offers numerous foils which would allow it to function for about a year.

Mr Langer even speculated that the device could be used in conjunction with iPhone-esque apps in the future for tracking and administering drugs as required.

"You could track whether patients are taking their medicines," he concluded.

"'Did I take my cholesterol drug today?' You could have a permanent record."

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