 |
SINGAPORE, April 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- An innovative digital health initiative developed out of Mundipharma's Regional Head Office in Singapore employing augmented reality technology to address errors in inhaler use among Asthma sufferers as part of a new and personalised approach to Asthma management has been launched.
This is the latest in a series of digital initiatives Mundipharma has developed to deliver improved patient outcomes for all its therapeutic areas in response to unmet patient and doctor needs.
In a 2016 large independent study, "The Systematic Review of Errors Inhaler Technique" 144 articles reporting on a total number of 54,354 subjects were summarised. The study concluded that "Incorrect inhaler technique is unacceptably frequent and has not improved over the past 40 years, pointing to an urgent need for new approaches to education and drug delivery."1
breatherite™, a free app developed by Mundipharma, is the first digital health platform to utilise augmented reality together with a range of smartphone sensors, delivering a personal asthma management solution with a focus on correcting errors in inhaler technique.
The app engages the front-facing camera for facial mapping, the accelerometer and gyrometer to track inhaler preparation, the microphone to analyse inhalation and exhalation, along with augmented reality to visualise correct inhaler orientation and head alignment. Together, these features assess, and correct inhaler use as part of a unique interactive experience. It also enables patients to set medication reminders, receive lifestyle tips, real-time weather and air quality information.
breatherite™ also delivers a personal experience by profiling patients based on their attitudes towards Asthma management. Their symptoms and control measures are also tracked within the app. This information can be shared by the patient with their doctors to improve communication and better understand the patient's condition while also helping to manage the day-to-day treatment of Asthma.
Adjunct Associate Professor Augustine Tee, Senior Consultant and Chief, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, and Vice President of the Asthma and Allergy Association said, "Achieving good asthma control is vital to reduce chronic symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath, minimise the reliance on relief medications, and maintain good lung function. This app will help patients take charge of asthma and has potential to improve quality of life through real-time monitoring of inhaler use and overall asthma management."
Research shows that there is an opportunity to improve the level of Asthma control among patients in Asia-Pacific, where more than 70%2 of patients overestimate their level of control and only 50%3 of physicians check their patient's inhaler technique frequently. Low levels of Asthma control have been identified to be largely due to incorrect inhaler technique including poor coordination, inadequate speed and depth of inhalation and post-inhalation breath holding.
Patient problems are compounded when prescribed with multiple inhaler devices, with only an estimated 31%4 of patients performing correct inhaler technique. breatherite™ is designed to be used with the majority of inhaler types that patients are prescribed.
"The high rates of smartphone penetration across emerging markets and the inbuilt processing power of today's mobile devices together with the increasing maturity of augmented reality technology have combined to create a real opportunity to tackle this decades old problem," said Mundipharma CEO Raman Singh. "With World Asthma Day approaching, we are proud to launch this unparalleled new solution, which gives people with Asthma an opportunity to take greater control of their condition."
| 1 Joaquin Sanchis, Ignasi Gich, and Soren Pedersen , Aerosol Drug Management Improvement Team (ADMIT), CHEST 2016; 150(2): 394 |
|
™: breatherite is a trademark of Mundipharma |
About Mundipharma
Mundipharma's independent associated companies are privately owned entities covering pharmaceutical markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. The headquarters for these territories is in Singapore. Mundipharma is a prime example of a company that consistently delivers high quality products while standing by the values that represent the company. Our mission is to alleviate the suffering of patients and to substantially improve their quality of life. Mundipharma is dedicated to bringing to patients with severe and debilitating diseases the benefit of novel treatment options in fields such as pain, oncology, oncology supportive care, ophthalmology, respiratory disease and consumer healthcare.
For more information please visit: www.mundipharma.com.sg
Logo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150302/8521501264LOGO
