STAT

A ‘digital pill’ for cancer patients is rolled out for the first time, in hopes of improving outcomes

A Silicon Valley company has rolled out chemotherapy pills packaged with a sensor that can alert physicians or others when they have been swallowed.

SAN FRANCISCO — A Silicon Valley company on Thursday announced what it described as the first “digital pill” program of its kind, one in which the chemotherapy pills taken by cancer patients are packaged with a sensor that can alert a physician, pharmacist, or caregiver after it has been swallowed.

Seven patients — all of whom have colorectal cancer in stage 3 or stage 4 and are being treated in Minnesota — have been provided with the treatment since September, according to Proteus Digital Health. The idea is that, by tracking when patients take their drugs, health care providers will be better able to ensure medication adherence and to provide treatment guidance, with the goal

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from STAT

STAT1 min read
STAT+: Senate Drug Shortage Bill Would Pay Hospitals Bonuses For Good Contracting Practices
A bipartisan Senate bill takes a new approach to persistent drug shortages: have Medicare pay bonuses to hospitals and physicians for contracting that ensures a steady supply.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About GLP-1 Spending, Biosimilar Patient Costs, And More
Spending on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy ballooned last year and they're set to cost the U.S. health care system and the federal government still more.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About FTC Fighting ‘Junk’ Patents, Pfizer Direct-to-consumer Plans, And More
The FTC expanded its campaign against pharmaceutical companies for filing what it calls “junk” patent listings for 20 different brand-name treatments.

Related Books & Audiobooks