Digital Therapeutics: A New Opportunity for Healthcare Professionals to Improve Patient Outcomes
In this article, Marta Solé (Director of Digital Health), delves into the promising possibilities of digital therapeutics (DTx), exploring their implications for the future of healthcare and the distinctive opportunities they may offer to pharmacists and dispensing doctors. Keep reading to discover more about what Digital Therapeutics entails, the potential opportunities for Healthcare Professionals in the UK, and find a useful summary of key takeaways at the end.
Marta is an industrial engineer by training with a passion for innovation. She has witnessed firsthand how technology can enable transformation in businesses. Her early career in the energy sector and her work with start-ups led her to explore how technology could have a positive impact into peoples lives, leading her to a role in technology transfer, bridging the gap between research and business.
She joined Accord in late 2017 and her passion for innovation and digital technologies led her to focus completely on digital health projects, including our Unify Health® and Oncodemia® projects. Today, Marta leads a team in Accord’s new digital health department, supporting all EMENA markets from Barcelona.
What are Digital Therapeutics?
DTx are a rapidly evolving field that offers promising new approaches leveraging technologies to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of various medical conditions empowering patients to take control of their health.
The definition of DTx is a health software intended to treat or alleviate a disease, disorder, condition, or injury, by generating and delivering a medical intervention that has a demonstrable positive therapeutic impact on patients’ health1. They are similar to medicines in the way that they are regulated products (CE marked), that have been clinically validated with prospective clinical trials and in addition continue to demonstrate meaningful value in real world settings2.
They can be used independently as software, in conjunction with pharmaceuticals, or integrated with medical devices. Marta identifies three types:
- Standalone: Software-only DTx interventions that can deliver an intervention on their own.3,4
- Drug plus: DTx interventions that are used in combination with medicines.4
- Device plus: DTx interventions that are used in combination with medical devices.4
In the UK, the Early Value Assessment (EVA) framework, implemented in June 2022, oversees the approval process for DTx. The EVA methodology evaluates not only clinical effectiveness but also takes into account economic and social considerations. It sets a robust standard for their introduction into the UK healthcare system.
DTx in the Healthcare Landscape
“They have the potential to make a big impact and deliver something quickly to patients. They are very scalable so you can really deliver solutions that can have a huge impact into people’s lives by potentially improving their wellbeing – and they are accessible to them 24/7.”
While they have garnered considerable traction within the realm of mental health, Marta envisions Digital Therapeutics have the potential to impact a wide healthcare remit by delivering personalised, evidence-based care to patients in a scalable and accessible way in conditions where there can be limited alternatives for pharmacological treatments, as they can be used to:
- Improve patient outcomes: Helping patients to better manage their chronic conditions, improve their adherence to medication, and achieve their health goals.
- Reduce healthcare costs: They can help to reduce the need for hospitalisation and other expensive medical interventions.
- Empower patients to take control of their health: Providing patients with the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
According to Marta “This isn’t a fleeting trend; it’s a transformational shift. DTx opens doors to solutions that were once beyond our reach.”
Opportunities for Healthcare Professionals
Though prescriptions currently reside within the realm of clinicians, Marta anticipates a future where Healthcare Professionals, including pharmacists and nurses, could emerge as prescribers of these digital therapies.
Pharmacists and dispensing doctors have the potential to play a vital role in their adoption, serving as the bridge between patients and these innovative therapeutics. By educating patients about options and supporting their use, Healthcare Professionals can help to improve patient outcomes and make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all.
Challenges and the Path Forward
As with any transformative technology there are always challenges to overcome and one of these hurdles will be tackling adoption. Clinicians and patients need to be aware of the benefits of DTx and be willing to complement their care with these new therapies.
Marta explains that Healthcare Professionals can play an instrumental role in bridging this knowledge gap. “Pharmacists can play a role in facilitating the shift towards digital therapies, serving as the bridge to connect clinicians, patients, and streamline delivery methods. This transition requires the clinician’s engagement, patient awareness, and efficient delivery process.”
In addressing their adoption, it’s important to consider the complex challenges of financing and delivery. They can pose financial barriers for patients, making affordability a key concern. Moreover, the delivery mechanisms vary from country to country, creating a lack of consensus. In certain nations, like Germany, DTx are the so called DiGAs and are prescribed by Healthcare Professionals and covered by national healthcare insurances. There are over 50 DTx in Germany that have been granted with reimbursement5. Conversely, in some other regions there is no established reimbursement and regulatory framework for digital therapies, and other market entry strategies like out-of-pocket or B2B partnerships need to be considered.
Putting it into practice
In Germany, clinicians can prescribe DTx interventions to patients. Patients then receive an activation code usually via postal mail from their statutory health insurance system that they can use to download the intervention app from the app store. However, it can take a few days for patients to receive the code after it has been prescribed.6
In the UK, at the end of 2023, there were 11 EVA approved DTx available7. Pharmacists and dispensing doctors can play a vital role in streamlining the implementation and use of DTx interventions by educating patients but also by setting up the intervention directly with the patient. This would allow patients to start using the intervention immediately, as they would do for picking up their medicinal treatment from the pharmacy.
Exciting Developments in Digital Health
One of the most intriguing aspects of the future of DTx is its potential for scalability. These solutions hold the potential of significantly improving individuals’ well-being, as they are accessible 24/7. In the realm of digital health, there is an opportunity for the swift delivery of solutions, surpassing the speed of introducing new medications.
A noteworthy trend we are observing is the integration of AI into patient care. “I am genuinely curious about how AI will become an integral part of healthcare. It’s essential to note that AI will never replace human interaction, but it can play a valuable role in initial stages and streamlining processes”
Staying Informed in a Rapidly Changing Field
In the ever-evolving field of digital therapeutics, staying well-informed is of utmost importance. Marta encourages Healthcare Professionals to embark on a continuous learning journey to ensure they are fully prepared for the forthcoming changes. She firmly believes that ‘the future is already upon us’ in the realm of DTx, and that pharmacists and dispensing doctors have the potential to significantly impact the lives of patients for the better.
The landscape of DTx holds promise, potentially reshaping our approach to patient care. Healthcare Professionals are positioned to play a significant role in this ongoing journey of transformation.
At Accord, we are committed to providing support that goes beyond the pill which is why we are particularly excited about the potential of Digital Health solutions. They can complement traditional medicine and offer a holistic support system for patient throughout their health journey.
Key Takeaways for Pharmacists and Dispensing Doctors
- Be DTx Educators: Acquaint yourselves with available DTx options to guide patients toward suitable digital therapies.
- Offer Quick DTx Consultations: When appropriate, consider providing on-the-spot guidance to help patients understand, download, and use apps effectively.
- Bridge the Knowledge Gap: Actively promote the benefits of DTx to facilitate its adoption among patients and clinicians alike.
- Commit to Continuous Learning: Stay updated on the rapidly evolving field of DTx, including advancements like AI integration.
References
1 What is a DTx? – Digital Therapeutics Alliance Last accessed March 2024
2 DTA_DTx-Overview_UK.pdf (dtxalliance.org) Last accessed March 2024
3 DTx Product Categories Last accessed March 2024
4 Digital therapeutics in Europe: what is the state of play? Last accessed March 2024
5 DiGA Directory (bfarm.de) Last accessed March 2024
6 Covering digital health applications in the public insurance system: how to foster innovation in patient care while mitigating financial risks—evidence from Germany – PMC (nih.gov) Last accessed February 2024
7 Guidance, NICE advice and quality standards Last accessed March 2024
Date of preparation: March 2024 UK-05853
