The first electronic tablet to monitor the patient's medication schedule

Thanks to the sensor, Abilify MyCite tablet can send a notice to the doctor and the family each time the patient drinks.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Abilify MyCite, the first electronic drug that tracks the patient's medication schedule, reported. Produced by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company (Japan), Abilify MyCite is the brand name of aripiprazole, used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression.

Abilify MyCite pills come with stickers and applications on the phone.(Photo: NPR).

Abilify MyCite inside is attached with a small sensor of sand. When exposed to gastric juice, it is activated and records information about the date and time of medication administration. The sensor transfers information to the tape attached to the medication and then goes to the mobile application to share with the medical team or the patient's family.

The manufacturer expects this product to improve the use of drugs not properly instructed. However, although not officially launched in the US, Abilify MyCite has raised a lot of worries.

Some health experts were surprised when the first electronic drug approved by FDA was antipsychotic, because in fact schizophrenia patients were often hallucinated and paranoid, being persecuted."Many patients refuse to take medicine because they do not like side effects, do not think they have problems or doubt the doctor's intention," said Dr. Paul Appelbaum from Columbia University Psychiatry in exchange for the New York Times. . "The system of monitoring behavior and informing doctors is not an appropriate measure. It would be better to start with other drugs."

Dr. Walid Gellad, co-director of the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Policy Center, said that Abilify MyCite is not very attractive to patients but mainly attracts the attention of families and carers. He said: "With Abilify MyCite, you'll know if someone takes medication, puts it in their mouth and digests in the stomach." In particular, the doctor warns that information may fall into the wrong hands, posing a big risk of data security.

Finally, the cost of Abilify MyCite is extremely expensive. Previously, the version usually did not have a patient's sensor costing at least 891 USD a month.