As technology continues to evolve, pharma companies will focus on developing and implementing
new drug treatment approaches that rely on technology. These plans will make drug treatment more
accessible and affordable and will be more appealing to both payers and providers.

Around the Pill Treatment
Pharma companies have realized for some time now that they need to focus on producing more than just pills. That’s where the “beyond the pill” movement was born. The idea was that pharma companies would provide additional health care offerings, beyond just pills. In theory, this would add revenue as pharma companies sold more offerings to their major clients (e.g., hospitals, delivery plans, governments).

However, in practice, pharma companies that have attempted to go “beyond the pill” have largely failed in their endeavors. This has paved the way for a newer, more innovative “around the pill” strategy, which focuses on the entire therapy experience for a patient.

The “around the pill” strategy opens doors for pharma growth by connecting technology with drug treatment. For example, the Japanese drugmaker Daichii-Sankyo has partnered with Partners Healthcare Center to develop a “mobile wrap-around” drug for atrial fibrillation. In addition to taking the drug, the patient will be given a wearable device to monitor their progress, plus an app that grants doctors access to provide feedback.

By treating the patient using wraparound services, not just drugs, pharma can provide value-based care that improves people’s lives and lifestyles.

Smart Pills
Another advancement is the growing market of smart pills (also referred to as digital pills). Worldwide, the smart pills market is expected to grow by $212.97 million from 2019 through 2023.

Smart pills can make the process of diagnosing and treating chronic conditions such as GI cancer, celiac disease, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, polyps, and IBD. This diagnostic tool promises to be more accurate and convenient for providers and patients. These pills work like traditional drugs, except they are equipped with edible electronic sensors. These sensors automatically send wireless messages to devices such as a smartphone, tablet, or patch that is sitting outside the body.

Doctors can receive these messages and use them to track their patients’ progress. The goal is to give doctors an accurate and efficient way to ensure their patients adhere to their prescription regimen. Smart pills also provide more of a connection between patient and provider, giving patients access to more personalized care.

3D Printed Drugs
3D printed drugs aim to create a more personalized experience for users who struggle with traditional forms of drugs. The development of 3D printed drugs may solve some problems with drug intake, especially for children and aging adults who may have difficulty swallowing pills.

3D pills can fill the gap between widely manufactured doses of medicine. For example, a child was prescribed hydrocortisone in the UK, which was only available in the manufactured adult dose. He needed to have his tablets cut down to lower the dose, which led to irregularities in dosing and increased oxidizing risk. With 3D printing, the local pharmacy could have access to a 3D printer, which would print the drug at the exact right dosage instantly.

Conclusion
The possibilities for technology to advance healthcare are exciting. Although they are still developing, these advances can improve the pharma experience for patients around the world by creating more personalized plans that involve more than just taking a drug.

References
Cave, Holly. (2019 February 1). Fast Company. The Future of 3D Printed, Personalized Pills

Comstock, Jonah. (2015, March 3). MobiHealthNews.Why Partners and Daiichi Sankyo partnered on an AFib remote patient monitoring pilot
Global Smart Pills Market 2019-2023– Technological Advancements in Smart Pills | Technavio. (2019, October 31). Business Wire.
Jain, S. (2015, July 23). Harvard Business Review. How Pharma Can Offer More than Pills
Renganathan, S. (2019 February 23). All 3DP. 3D Printing Drugs: The Latest Advancements