The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first digital pill with an embedded sensor to track if patients are taking their medication properly, marking a significant step forward in the convergence of healthcare and technology.
The new tracking form of a psychiatric drug, called Abilify MyCite, contains a sensor that sends information about its ingestion to a patch worn on a patient’s arm, which is then transmitted to a smartphone app.
This way, the pill keeps track of if and when a patient is taking the drug. The information can also be shared with up to four caregivers and doctors, with the patient’s consent.
Abilify is used primarily to treat schizophrenia and bipolor disorders. One expert cautions that the drug may not be a ‘prudent’ first use of this tracking technology, because it ‘almost seems like of a confirmation of [these patients’] worst paranoias.’
