167 - Smart Pills, Digital Drug Delivery Systems, and How Technology is Reshaping Pharma and Healthcare with Timothy Aungst

Let's Combinate · 18 Dec 2024 · 41m

What this episode covers

Dr. Timothy Aungst, founder of The Digital Apothecary, explains the distinction between digitalization, digitalization, and digital transformation in healthcare, arguing that true transformation requires re-envisioning care delivery rather than just digitizing records. He discusses the challenges of integrating smart drug delivery systems, such as smart inhalers and wearable injectors, noting that adding digital features to 2nd line therapies often fails to capture market share or justify costs due to the 'juice to squeeze ratio.' Aungst highlights regulatory hurdles, including FDA oversight of digital therapeutics and provider liability concerns when sensors track adherence, and emphasizes that AI must be integrated into clinical workflows to be effective rather than treated as a standalone hype.

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