An apparatus for remotely monitoring the removal of material stored within at least one container 201, 202, 203, comprising a sensor attached to the container, a communications gateway 204 and at least one remote server. The removal of material stored within the containers is detected by the sensors and information about said removal is sent from the sensors, via short range wireless channels 205, 206, 207 to a communications gateway 204 which is in communication with the internet 104 using a further channel 108. The information may be forwarded to a remote device such as a server (Fig 1, 105, 106, 107). Information may be sent via the internet, cell phone or Bluetooth (RTM). The apparatus is a device to monitor the storage of medicines, pills or the like, contained in items such as a cardboard box, blister pack, pill box or eye drop bottle. One of the objectives is to monitor patient compliance with the prescribed medication regime.
