Best of 2016: Digital health revolution

A digital health revolution is being fueled primarily by the growing use of wearables and consumer devices that gather health metrics. Connected medical devices are not far behind. We have already seen Bluetooth-connected glucose meters, blood pressure equipment, and scales. In the last year, several announcements along these lines have come from traditionally conservative big pharma providers in respiratory diseases. A sudden rush has most major pharmaceutical companies embarking on product development or trials with connected inhalers, racing to launch commercially. While this appears to be a surprise, a closer look indicates a natural evolution.

The healthcare industry is changing in the U.S. and elsewhere. Rising costs have forced governments to take action, payment systems are changing, and payers have increasingly started demanding evidence for therapy and medical procedures. As pressure mounts for the industry to demonstrate cost efficiency and outcome improvements, companies are turning to technology. Given that pharma producers typically take five-to-eight years to bring new inhalers to market, early exploration of new technology and connectivity solutions is required.

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