Characteristics of Digital Therapeutics and the Role of Pharmacist

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution and the development of digital technology have had a significant impact on activation and actual use of digital therapeutics (DTx), a new concept of treatment in the medical field. This study aims to understand the current regulation system and limitations of DTx management and try to investigate the roles of pharmacists. The research was conducted by reviewing and examining of documents presented by the FDA on DTx. As a result, the FDA recommends that most DTx on the market play a role in parallel with existing medication therapy. However, there are insufficient counseling guidelines or policy systems to properly guide the use of DTx. Therefore, for safe and effective use of DTx, pharmacists also need to be interested in DTx and involved in the development of DTx, related policies, and establishment and updating of them.