Ingestibles: FDA Green Lights Digital Pill

November 2017 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a ‘digital pill’ that can monitor patient intake of the medication Abilify which is used to treat psychological disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar. Abilify MyCite digital pill is paired with a wearable patch on the patient, which transmits data to a smartphone app. This data can then be voluntarily forwarded to medical practitioners. The pill includes sensors capable of surviving in stomach acid and monitor medication intake before being passed through naturally. In addition, according to the Verge, the dermal patch is able "to record activity levels, sleeping patterns, steps taken, activity, and heart rate, and must be replaced every seven days." Patients using both the digital bill and dermal patch can allow their caregivers and doctors access to their data via an online portal. This in turn could improve patient-practitioner communication, reduce improper medication use, and improve chronic disease management. Mitchell Mathis, M.D., Director of the Division of Psychiatry Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research wrote in a news release, “The FDA supports the development and use of new technology in prescription drugs and is committed to working with companies to understand how technology might benefit patients and prescribers.”

 

Currently the pill is not prescribed for patients with dementia, and has not yet had clinical pediatric trials. Abilify MyCite is the continuation of Otsuka Pharmacetical Co's. use of innovative sensor technology to improve patient compliance with their medication intake. In conjunction with the dermal patch, MyCite shows promise of using technology for improved treatment compliance to help people live longer, healthier lives. Source: Thuy Ong, The Verge; FDA News Release.