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

- Show: [Let's Combinate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate)
- Published: 2024-12-18
- Length: 41m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-12-18-167-smart-pills-digital-drug-delivery-systems-and-how-technology-is-reshaping-ph
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letscombinate/episodes/167---Smart-Pills--Digital-Drug-Delivery-Systems--and-How-Technology-is-Reshaping-Pharma-and-Healthcare-with-Timothy-Aungst-e2sfh0v

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-12-18-167-smart-pills-digital-drug-delivery-systems-and-how-technology-is-reshaping-ph#t=3) Introduction: Dr. Timothy Aungst and The Digital Apothecary
- [1:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-12-18-167-smart-pills-digital-drug-delivery-systems-and-how-technology-is-reshaping-ph#t=60) Defining Digital Transformation vs. Digitalization in Healthcare
- [8:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-12-18-167-smart-pills-digital-drug-delivery-systems-and-how-technology-is-reshaping-ph#t=502) Pharma's Digital Strategy and Consumer Expectations
- [20:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-12-18-167-smart-pills-digital-drug-delivery-systems-and-how-technology-is-reshaping-ph#t=1246) Smart Drug Delivery and the Juice to Squeeze Ratio
- [30:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-12-18-167-smart-pills-digital-drug-delivery-systems-and-how-technology-is-reshaping-ph#t=1836) Regulatory Challenges, FDA Oversight, and Provider Liability
- [36:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-12-18-167-smart-pills-digital-drug-delivery-systems-and-how-technology-is-reshaping-ph#t=2192) The Role of AI in Digital Health and Long-Term Vision

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- The Digital Apothecary (company)
- FDA (other)
- CDRH (other)
- smart inhalers (product)
- wearable injectors (product)
- CGM (product)
- electronic health records (product)
- telehealth (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [What is MedTech Lifecycle Excellence?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2023-01-05-what-is-medtech-lifecycle-excellence) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#448: MedTech Investment: Outcomes, Regulations, and the Shift to At-Home Care](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2026-02-23-448-medtech-investment-outcomes-regulations-and-the-shift-to-at-home-care) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Roadblocks of IoT Adoption | INLIGN's Rachel Richter & Russ Shumaker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-02-22-roadblocks-of-iot-adoption-inligns-rachel-richter-russ-shumaker) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [The Journey from Idea to Success with Mike Morena of AdhereTech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-06-the-journey-from-idea-to-success-with-mike-morena-of-adheretech) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Using IoT to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines  | Luma Health's Aditya Bansod](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-04-26-using-iot-to-distribute-covid-19-vaccines-luma-healths-aditya-bansod) (IoT For All Podcast)

## Citing this page

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