SAN FRANCISCO — It was supposed to be a showcase for the way in which technology can revolutionize how some patients take their medications — and ultimately improve health outcomes. It has proven far more complicated.
Proteus Digital Health, a Silicon Valley company, raised close to $500 million and soared to a valuation of $1.5 billion on the promise that its sensor technology could be used to monitor whether patients with a wide range of health conditions have taken their pills. Then, late last year, the company’s funds fell dangerously low.
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Why take a “new” brand Abilify when there is a generic available?
Just more dumping and ceasing new medications for mental health, plus more paperwork instead of more time to listen to patients
Frankly, you don’t have to be delusional to object to this device. I find it offensive. Asking patients to wear it is telling them you don’t trust them to follow directions. That’s not a problem that’s fixable by a device. That’s a human problem that requires the presence of another human. What’s missing here is that none of these medications are astoundingly effective either outside or including the context of a doctor patient relationship. Psych meds are no slam-dunks. The brilliant idea of making healthcare more efficient by having “smart pills” presumes you have discovered magic. Psychiatry is hard work for everyone, including the patient.
Peggy Finston MD
Aside from stating that some patients didn’t like wearing the Abilify MyCite patch the article fails to address key issues regarding acceptability of digital monitoring of medication adherence to psychiatric patients. Patients who lack insight into their psychiatric illnesses may find the technology more intrusive than they are comfortable with, especially if they are experiencing paranoia and delusions. Delusions about government monitoring are common in patients with psychosis. Why would we assume that the prospect of BigPharma watching them would lead to willingness to take this medication?