The Digital Apothecary

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January 2020 Digital Health News and Research Update

Timothy Aungst

NEWS OF INTERESTS:

  • ONC releases 5-year federal health IT road map pushing data access through smartphone apps and APIs

    • ​ONC has put out a strategic plan (open for public comment until March 18) that focuses on the next 5-years to make patient information more easily accessible via smartphones and APIs.

    • This is reinforced by the 21st-century cures act - which had a 2.0 open statement last month focused on digital health.

    • The debate is focused on data operability, with many asking for time to slow the process in the name of privacy. 

    • "ONC also is calling for the use of advanced capabilities like machine learning, evidence-based clinical decision support, smart dashboards and alerts, and improved patient matching to improve the safety and quality of health care."

    • Interestingly, EPIC CEO Judy Faulkner has pushed out an email asking hospitals to 'speak out' regarding this process.​

    • TDA Thoughts: The implications here are interesting for device manufacturers in IoT and pharma with digital health. Data interoperability would likely be beneficial for patient care and for data access that can expand the reach of IoT devices like connected health drug delivery platforms. In the wake of Google/Ascension Health debacle, it may hold that more federal push into this space may be a better positive movement for transparency opposing big tech alone driving disruption, though it is equally likely that ONCs developments could also help said, tech giants. Likely, patient advocacy influencers will push hard against any company or organization that tries to hold back the access of patient data and could turn to a PR battleground for those that decide to block or hinder the movement.

  • AHRQ Advances New Frontiers in Digital Healthcare

    • ​The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality announced the launch of the "Division of Digital Healthcare Research." ​

    • This will aim to look into the use of data and the digitization of everything (DoE) for providers, health systems, and policymakers.

    • They will look towards developing new tools and knowledge bases to share alongside supporting research with a focus on reducing provider burden and patient safety issues via technology design.

    • Their goals are "One, we join others in the field who understand that digital healthcare research is the next frontier in the evolving digital healthcare ecosystem. And two, we view patient-facing technologies and the data they generate as areas of infinite possibilities. Digital healthcare is a new frontier of research, and we look forward to your input on opportunities to improve the lives and wellbeing of all Americans.​"

  • ​​CES and JPM happened (again), and while I did not attend either, I put a youtube video together on CES DIgital Health tech mentioned that I found interesting. JPM seemed to emphasize some thoughts regarding 'What is Digital Health, ' which seems to be an ongoing discussion at this point. If anything, 2019 closed with multiple negative press in the digital health space has led many to step back and ask what is going on, as the fast money predicted to be gained from tech disruption has not panned out (2019 less than 2018 it seems). JPM seemed to emphasize the conservative thought process. I would argue we are on the downswing (or trough of disillusionment) of the Gartner Hype Cycle for digital health for the next 1-2 years especially related to connected drug delivery (e.g., Proteus) and DTx (e.g., Pear & Sandoz) and Pharma/Tech Relationships (e.g., Sanofi & Google) being on peoples minds. Nonetheless, there is other positive news about partnerships arising that are also relevant as this area matures.

  • WSJ Heather Mack Commentary - "Will 2020 be the year DH comes of age?"

  • ​Pfizer's Greenstone collaborates with DTC Company Ro with Viagra Sales

    • ​If you are not familiar with DTC (Direct to consumer) prescription companies, you can see my review here.

    • Ro is popular as an ED resource and has been making market inroads. It is interesting to see a pharma company trying to leverage their supply chain through this resource. Will other pharma attempt this as well?

  • 23andMe lays off 100 Employees

    • This has been a rough year for Ann Wojcicki's company, with a downturn of those interested in genetic testing.

    • Issues may be due to possible cost increase, people in fear of recession and reducing costs, or data privacy.

    • 23andMe had announced recently their partnership with other pharma companies (e.g., Pfizer and GSK), and patients' fears of data privacy may be playing a role. 

    • The question of who would own the data if 23andMe sold themselves off is being raised by patient advocates.

  • For those interested in highlighted companies, FierceHealthcare's Fierce 15 list of 2020 was released.

  • NCPDP & Experian Health Announce 100% of the U.S. Population Has a Universal Patient Identifier, Powered by Experian Health UIM and NCPDP Standards

    • A Universal Identify Manager (UIM) for Unique Patient Identifier (UPI) for vendors and providers has been created to match and manage patient information. Will utilize NCPDP telecommunication standard and SCRIPT standard.

    • "The flow of communication happens when healthcare organizations send Experian Health patient demographic information; the system provides the organization in return with the insights and identifiers that they need to manage patient identities better and prevent duplicate records. The UPI can be attached - if the situational requirement is met - to active claims in real-time transactions and then appended by other healthcare partners, effectively improving the integrity of patient records for all ages."

    • Interestingly, the UPI is not known to the patient or provider for patient-facing scenarios. IT does not collect or share clinical claims or diagnostic data. TDA's thoughts are that patient advocates will get upset over this. 

  • Will Akili get the go-ahead from the FDA?

    • A DTx company focused on creating games to help address mental health issues (e.g., ADHD) is looking to market its product through prescriptions from providers.

    • The company has been under the radar for foregoing traditional pharma partnerships and news it has cut some employees (commercialization team).

  • If you are interested in the use of digital health and older adult tech, then these videos would be of interest to you from the PCHAlliance Member Summit last year. Also, it follows along with other CES tech focused on older adult care.

  • Bigfoot Biomedical gets $45M Series C and expands partnership with Abbott. 

    • The CGM market is heating up, with players like Medtronic and Tandem and others going big in 2020.

  • Proteus Digital Health and Otsuka News

    • Proteus exiting mental health (Otsuka keeps this running) and cardio. Refocus on ID and Oncology. 

    • Likely Proteus will focus on its cap system, which will compete with recently FDA cleared EtectRx (prev. EtectBio)

  • CVS Health Trends Report 2020 Released

    • Focused on kidney care, self-care, and digital strategies. Health Hubs are expanding nationwide.

  • Medisafe will now start dispensing medications

    • I predict that all companies in the adherence space will have to get into this market to compete with DTC prescription companies and Amazon/CVS at this point.

    • We are seeing this push with other devices for medication adherence, using services like TruePill.

  • Welldoc submits 510(k) for Bluestar in Long-acting insulin treatment

  • HealthXL releases report on Digital Health and Clinical Trial Design

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