New Zealand-based health technologies developer Adherium has secured 510(K) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its new inhaler monitoring device, SmartTouch for Symbicort.
Cleared for AstraZeneca’s Symbicort aerosol inhaler, the device can be installed onto the inhaler for monitoring and encouraging medication adherence.
It is reported that patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) take around one-third to half of the medication, while medication adherence is considered important for the management of such chronic diseases.
SmartTouch for Symbicort records the date and time during which the inhaler is used and automatically transmits the information to an app on the patient’s phone or tablet.
The device stores history of patient medication patterns to enable physicians to make evidence-based decisions by reviewing the stored information.
Adherium CEO Arik Anderson said: “The SmartTouch for Symbicort is the most advanced Smartinhaler product to date for Adherium and a key product in our strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca.
“With each new generation, our Smartinhalers get smaller, easier to use, and incorporate more sensors that generate higher quality data and higher levels of medication adherence.”
The device has already been cleared in Europe, Canada, Australia, China, Singapore, and New Zealand.
Designed for easy installation and removal, the device has three buttons to aid easy access to audio visual reminders, battery monitoring, and Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) pairing features.
The SmartTouch is ideal for home monitoring programmes such as hospital readmission prevention.
