Adoption Of m-Health Initiatives by Pharmaceutical Companies in Chronic Disease Management: A Literature Survey

Abstract

Proliferation of mobile devices, affordable internet connectivity and
mobile applications are enabling healthcare providers in reaching
out to patients at various stages of treatment or trials. There is an
emphasis on outcome-based healthcare by major stakeholders such
as patients, payers, health care providers, pharmaceutical companies
and policy makers, in the healthcare value chain. Trends such as
mHealth, eHealth, digital health adopted by pharmaceutical
companies are influencing patient engagement. Prescription nonadherence, especially in chronic disease management is a major
factor influencing treatment outcomes. This results in prolonged
symptoms leading to recurrence of the disease, for the patient and
revenue losses for the pharmaceutical companies. Various studies
have documented the impact of non-adherence both for patients,
payers and providers.
It is to counter this issue that certain pharmaceutical firms and health
care organizations are using technology interventions such as
mHealth initiatives for monitoring adherence as well as promoting
awareness. The objective of this paper was to study the work done in
this context thru a literature survey. The area of interest being,
triggers and impact of these digital initiatives in the chronic disease
domain. Post undertaking a literature survey it was found that while
work is done in terms of establishing a relationship between mhealth
initiatives and medication adherence, there is little scholarly work
done in the Indian healthcare setting. Also, scant work is done in
order to document the results from the efforts undertaken by
pharma companies in terms of launching mhealth initiatives for
adherence and awareness. If there is a positive relationship
established between mHealth initiatives and adherence, the use
could be broad based in order to achieve better outcomes