Poor adherence to inhaled maintenance therapies is one of the main barriers in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). GlobalData’s primary research indicates that compliance and persistence to this type of therapy can fall as low as 35% and 45%, respectively, in patients presenting with milder forms of the disease.

The role of maintenance bronchodilator inhalers in the management of COPD is to halt disease progression and requires chronic adherence to achieve maximum results. One reason for non-adherence is physicians’ inability to measure patients’ adherence to inhalers. Express Scripts’ decision to offer smart inhalers to their members presents a significant opportunity to improve the management of COPD, allowing pulmonary pharmacists to track a patient’s adherence to inhaler therapy and potentially slow disease progression.

On 16 November, Express Scripts and Propeller Health announced their strategic partnership to provide Express Scripts members enrolled in the Pulmonary Care Value Program access to Propeller Health’s proprietary technology using inhaler sensors and a mobile app to manage asthma and COPD. Using the technology, a sensor will be attached to a patient’s inhaler and sent to the patient’s mobile app via bluetooth. Inhaler activity will then be reviewed by the Express Scripts Pulmonary Therapeutic Resource Center, notifying pulmonary pharmacists if a patient is overusing an inhaler or is non-adherent.  Once inappropriate use is identified, pharmacists can provide personalized counseling using patient-specific data, marking a major stride in the management of COPD.

In addition to individualised disease management, Propeller’s technology has the potential to significantly cut US medical costs. GlobalData’s epidemiology team approximates that over 33 million people suffered from COPD in 2016, contributing significantly to the tens of billions of dollars in medical costs accrued in the US each year. Given COPD is anticipated to be the third leading cause of death in the world by 2030, monitoring the use of inhalers marks a significant opportunity for COPD patients to effectively monitor their disease and minimize exacerbations, limiting the use of rescue medications and hospitalizations.

Related Reports

GlobalData (2016), PharmaPoint: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – Global Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2025, May 2017, GDHC145PIDR

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.