Half of all medicines prescribed in the US are not taken as directed – and in some cases, the consequences can be life or death. The non-adherence to prescription, as it is referred to, leads to an estimated 125,000 deaths each year. But biochemist Tamar Sapir aims to bring that number down with a simple solution: a smart label that helps patients and their doctors stay on top of their medications.
“Doctors have no idea what happens to the medications they’ve prescribed once the patient leaves the clinic, or even when they’re picked up,” Sapir, founder and CEO of Boca Raton-based Synchronicity, tells Quartz. In fact, 20% to 30% of prescriptions are never filled. “Patients often have so many life challenges that can make it difficult for them to manage a chronic condition,” she adds.
Synchronyx’s labels, called Tappt Health, can be applied at the pharmacy, dispensed by the doctor, or mailed to the patient. Patients tap their smartphone against the label when they take a pill, and a signal is sent to the clinic. If the system detects that a patient has missed a pill, it pushes them with an SMS reminder. It’s amazingly effective: Synchronyx’s studies find that 97% of patients who receive the labels comply.
However, Tappt goes far beyond reminders. Patients can use the label to self-report side effects or how they feel, giving doctors real-time feedback so they can quickly identify and intervene if a problem arises. The tags can also sync with health apps and wearables.
They are also considered a remote therapeutic technology, an emerging category that helps doctors monitor their patients remotely. Sapir notes that the telehealth boom of the pandemic, along with recently approved Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, has opened up more demand for these devices, and more touchpoints between doctors and their patients. “We’re excited about the potential for our labels to expand into personal care,” she says.
This story is part of Quartz’s Innovators List 2023a series that highlights the people who are deploying bold technologies and reimagining the way we do business for good around the world. Get the full list here.
