The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug in the United States with a digital ingestion tracking system. Abilify MyCite (aripiprazole tablets with sensor) has an ingestible sensor embedded in the pill that records that the medication was taken. The product is approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, acute treatment of manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, and for use as an add-on treatment for depression in adults.
The system works by sending a message from the pill’s sensor to a wearable patch, according to a statement issued by the FDA. The patch transmits the information to a mobile application so that patients can track the ingestion of the medication on their smartphones. Patients can also permit their caregivers and physician to access the information through a web-based portal.