Otsuka to facilitate patient access to connected care system Abilify Mycite
Abilify, an atypical antipsychotic, is often prescribed to individuals with severe mental illness. It is also prescribed as an additional treatment for those taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) who do not respond to the first-line medication.
The connected care system of Abilify Mycite, connects the tablet with an Ingestible Event Marker (IEM) sensor. The system works to monitor whether or not an individual has taken the medication; an important piece of information for caretakers and clinicians.
Per the collaboration, provider networks contracted through Magellan will be able to prescribe the system to individuals. Since this will only provide Abilify Mycite to a small grouping of individuals, Otsuka will be better able to understand how the system works in daily life.
As a whole, the system includes: the tablet with a sensor, the Mycite patch which functions as a wearable sensor, and the Mycite app and dashboard.
John Bardi VP of public affairs and digital medicine business development at Otsuka told us that for those struggling with mental illness, innovations have come a long way over the years but adherence to the medications still poses a challenge for many. “We see no better place to start than with individuals living with mental illness who truly want and need this kind of engagement in their own health,” he said.
In a press release, Sam Sirvastava, chief executive officer of Magellan Healthcare said, “This collaboration aligns with our purpose of leading humanity to healthy, vibrant lives through a joint commitment to improving patient outcomes for complex populations.”
The need for precision medicine in psychiatry
According to David Nash of the Jefferson College of Population Health at Thomas Jefferson University, who said in a press release, “This is an exciting time…as we gather insights into factors that influence adherence to treatment and consider the related clinical and economic implications.”
Bardi stated that ingestion data can create an opportunity for better care, “It is important to record ingestion as it can help patients review their own daily ingestion of aripiprazole and may help facilitate more objective discussions between the patient and members of their care team to allow the opportunity for a more open dialogue.”
The app can also obtain activity and rest data as well and has entry points for behavioral data to help further treatment plans.
We reported in 2017 that Abilify Mycite was authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration, this collaboration is a continuation of the availability of the medication.
