Fda approves first trackable digital pill
A significant development in the field of digital health!
On June 13, 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first digital pill, called Abilify MyCite, which is a version of the antipsychotic medication Abilify (aripiprazole) that contains a sensor that tracks whether patients are taking their medication as prescribed.
Abilify MyCite is a pill with a sensor embedded in the coating that sends a signal to a wearable patch on the patient's skin when the pill is ingested. The patch then sends the information to a mobile app, allowing patients and their healthcare providers to track whether the medication is being taken as directed.
The FDA approval of Abilify MyCite marks a significant milestone in the development of digital health technologies, which aim to improve patient outcomes by increasing medication adherence and reducing the risk of medication errors.
The approval was based on a clinical trial that demonstrated the safety and efficacy of Abilify MyCite, as well as its ability to improve medication adherence. The trial found that patients who used Abilify MyCite were more likely to take their medication as prescribed than those who did not use the digital pill.
The potential benefits of Abilify MyCite include:
- Improved medication adherence: By tracking whether patients are taking their medication as prescribed, Abilify MyCite can help patients stay on track with their treatment plan and reduce the risk of medication errors.
- Enhanced patient engagement: The mobile app allows patients to track their medication use and receive reminders and alerts to take their medication as prescribed.
- Better patient-provider communication: Healthcare providers can access the patient's medication adherence data through the mobile app, allowing for more informed treatment decisions and improved patient care.
- Reduced healthcare costs: By improving medication adherence, Abilify MyCite may help reduce healthcare costs associated with medication non-adherence, such as hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
Overall, the FDA approval of Abilify MyCite represents a significant step forward in the development of digital health technologies, which have the potential to transform the way we approach patient care and improve health outcomes.