Vitality and AT&T announced today that AT&T wirelessly-connected Vitality GlowCaps
designed to help patients take medications regularly by sending reminder
calls, weekly email reports, and monthly updates sent to your physician.
Vitality's AT&T-connected GlowCaps fit on standard prescription bottles and use
light, then sound reminders, which can be followed by a phone call or
text message so people don't miss a dose. Each time the pill bottle is
opened, adherence data is recorded and securely relayed to Vitality over
the AT&T wireless network. This daily adherence information is used
to compile periodic progress reports that are sent to patients,
caregivers, doctors and family members.
Using sophisticated pattern recognition, Vitality uncovers the key motivational levers for each individual, and then it tailors programs to activate these levers and break through whatever barriers exist.
Data generated by GlowCaps can be used to automatically refill
prescriptions as pills deplete.
"GlowCaps use
real-time feedback loops to act on a number of behavioral motivators:
reminders, doctor accountability, social support and help with refills,"
said David Rose, Chief Executive
Officer, Vitality. "These are instructive findings for pharmaceutical
manufacturers and payors who have a vested interest in improving patient
outcomes with their products and services."
Each year
millions of people fail to take medications as prescribed by their
physicians; the World Health Organization estimates that adherence to
daily medication averages 50 percent for those suffering from chronic
diseases. Numerous studies demonstrate that poor adherence reduces the
effectiveness of medications, jeopardizes patient health, and increases
health-care costs. Recent research, including work by the New England
Healthcare Institute, calculates the costs resulting from non-adherence
at $300 billion annually.
"We look forward to delivering to consumers a reliable means to establish and maintain a prescription routine," said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, AT&T. "This solution is simple, easy to use, and long overdue."
The Vitality GlowCaps