The rapid growth of mobile connectivity, the rise of social media and the expansion of video streaming services have created deep changes in the habits of media consumption over the past decade. This has reshaped how individuals and populations access information and entertainment, something that now largely occurs in digital environments. In turn, this evolution has significantly altered the way consumers and patients look for and consume health-related content. With one billion health-related searches happening every day on Google, it is clear that people are increasingly turning to digital channels to learn more about their symptoms, explore treatments and assess and select new physicians. The growing availability of online information, paired with the use of connected devices, mobile applications and technologies such as appointment booking platforms and video consultations, has given these digital patients the opportunity to take greater control of their own wellbeing and carry out a range of health-related tasks and activities away from traditional medical settings. Likewise, these changing habits have pushed the healthcare and healthcare communications sectors to rethink their strategies when it comes to reaching patients and consumers effectively and creating a genuine connection to help them improve their health outcomes.
The changing face of media consumption
To understand why today’s consumer of healthcare and healthcare information is so digitally inclined, let’s first take a look into how media consumption has been reshaped in recent years. The Digital 2021 October Global Statshot Report revealed that there are nearly 4.9 billion internet users that go online for just under seven hours a day. They access the internet to carry out a range of activities, including finding information (60.5%), getting in touch with friends and family (54.7%) and keeping up to date with news and events (52.8%). They also watch video content (50.8%) and do research on how to do different things (50.3%), and nearly all of them access the internet via mobile devices. Social media platforms continue to grow and are among the most visited sites or apps. With 4.55 billion users around the globe, 57.6% of the total world population is on social media. (DataReportal) These trends, driven by the evolution of digital technologies, were accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which contributed to the ongoing transformation of media consumption. For example, in 2011 US consumers were spending 45 minutes a day on mobile internet (Vox.com). Fast-forward to 2020, individuals were spending 3:13 hours on their smartphones daily, with mobility limited due to lockdowns and social distancing restrictions (Insider Intelligence). Likewise, the pandemic pushed video streaming services to new heights, as populations across the globe were forced to stay at home. Time spent by US adults on the likes of Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime increased by more than a third to 1:12 hours a day. Meanwhile, traditional television viewership figures continued their prepandemic downward trend, falling by 4.7% year-on-year in 2020 (Insider Intelligence). Among the younger Gen Z, gaming even overtook TV, with 54% of individuals from this age group in the US saying they had an interest in videogames vs 43% in TV (GWI). Interestingly enough, the Covid-19 pandemic also prompted record viewing figures of broadcast TV. In France, more than 35 million people watched French President Emmanuel Macron’s address on the topic in early April 2020, the highest viewership figure ever recorded in the country (Deadline.com). Similar phenomena were observed in other European countries. However, as GWI point out, this poignant interest in following the news was only sustained in the early days of the pandemic and slowly faded, while trends seen in other areas of media consumption appear more set to stay
The rise of the digital patient
At present, 35% of global internet users say that they research health issues and healthcare products on the web (DataReportal). More than a quarter said they had checked their symptoms online over the previous week, with females between the ages of 25 and 34 emerging as the leading population to do so. Colombia reported the highest percentage of internet users between 16 and 64 turning to the web to research symptoms (41.9%), followed by Kenya and Mexico. In parallel with this growing availability of information online, consumers and patients also have access to mobile applications and connected devices that offer guidance, advice and support for different healthcare concerns or conditions. A study by Boston Technology found that This dynamic has profoundly altered the traditional scheme in which patients’ healthrelated needs were managed exclusively by their doctors and health organisations or bodies in traditional settings. Now, there is a spectrum of digital and technological tools that enable patients to complement traditional care with new ways of looking after their own wellbeing.
Search engines
Patients now turn to search engines regularly to look up symptoms, learn how to better manage conditions and explore potential treatments. They also use online reviews to assess potential physicians: 71% of US patients surveyed by Software Advice said they checked online reviews as the first step to find a new doctor. Beyond strictly medical searches, individuals also look for tips and advice on how to lead healthier lifestyles. This became increasingly evident during the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic, when communities around the world were not only looking for reliable information on the new virus, but also advice on how to manage their wellbeing during lockdown. For example, the UK saw a rise in online searches for ‘vitamin D’ and ‘walks near me’, while Israel experienced increased interest in ‘mental health’ (Think with Google). Using search engines for healthcare-related queries is not just for younger generations: in the US, around 80% of individuals over 55 are online, and 73% of these ‘digital seniors’ say they go on the World Wide Web to improve their health and wellness (Think with Google). Ref:thgfluently
Benefits of Digitalisation in Medical Devices
Digitalization has transformed every industry, and the ever-evolving medical device sector is no exception. The market for digital medical devices has grown rapidly in recent years. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global digital health market is expected to reach $423.11 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 18.4% from 2018 to 2025. The report also notes that the rise in chronic diseases and an ageing population, as well as the increased adoption of smartphones and wearables, are major factors driving the growth of the digital health market. Advancements in technology have driven innovation, thereby changing the way we approach healthcare. Medical devices have become a vital component in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. The integration of digital technologies has made them more effective, efficient, and reliable than ever before. The integration of technology into medical devices has brought about numerous benefits that have transformed the healthcare industry. Digital medical devices offer healthcare professionals real-time patient monitoring capabilities, leading to early detection of complications and timely intervention. For example, continuous glucose monitors enable diabetic patients to manage their blood sugar levels more effectively, reducing the risk of complications such as hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. The accuracy of diagnosis and treatment has also been improved by the advanced algorithms in digital medical devices. Imaging systems such as MRI and CT scans provide detailed images that help healthcare professionals make accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. Digital medical devices increased patient engagement in their healthcare by providing patients with data to make informed decisions. Wearable fitness trackers allow patients to track their physical activity and sleep patterns, promoting healthier lifestyles. In addition, digital medical devices have made medical procedures less invasive, reducing patient discomfort and improving recovery times. Laparoscopic surgery using digital devices allows for smaller incisions, resulting in less pain and faster recovery times than traditional surgery. Digitalization has also made medical devices more accessible and affordable, increasing their adoption and improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, the vast amounts of data generated by digital medical devices can be used to improve healthcare outcomes. Machine learning algorithms can analyze this data to identify trends and patterns, leading to better diagnoses and treatments. Data from wearable fitness trackers, for instance, can be used to identify early signs of cardiovascular disease, leading to early intervention and improved outcomes.
The Role of Consulting Services in Navigating the Complexities of the Industry
Complexity of the industry and the rapid pace of innovation can make it challenging for companies to navigate this landscape effectively. Consulting services can play a critical role in helping businesses overcome these challenges. At Future-Safe Consulting we understands the challenges that medical device companies face and offer tailored solutions to help them navigate these challenges and thrive in an ever-changing landscape. Our team has extensive experience in the medical device industry and is equipped with the latest knowledge and tools to help our clients succeed. We offer a wide range of consulting services, including market research, regulatory compliance, product development, and commercialization strategies. Our team works closely with our clients to develop customized solutions that meet their unique needs and help them achieve their business goals. Looking ahead, we anticipate that the digitalisation of the medical device industry will continue to accelerate. Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning will drive further innovation and improve patient outcomes. As this transformation continues, consulting services will become increasingly vital in helping medical device companies navigate the complexities of this industry and remain competitive.
The digitalisation of the medical device industry has transformed the way we approach healthcare, and the use of digital medical devices has become essential in providing effective and reliable care to patients. At Future-Safe Consulting, we are committed to providing our clients with the support they need to succeed in this dynamic and exciting industry helping companies navigate this landscape effectively and remain competitive.
Despite tremendous progress and knowledge gained from post-approval R&D, some in Congress still fail to recognize innovation doesn’t stop at U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. After approval, scientists and physicians continue to generate information on a new medicine or vaccine, as we’re seeing with COVID-19 vaccines today. This is done both for approved indications and to develop the medicine potentially for new, supplemental indications treating important unmet medical needs.
The latest drug pricing plan gives the government a new authority to set prices for medicines in Medicare after a product has been on the market for 7 (small molecule drug) or 11 (biologics) years. They call it “negotiation,” but it isn’t that at all. The latest plan not only includes some of the same price setting policies as H.R. 3 which threatens access to medicines, but it also guts the critical incentives necessary to support further investment in R&D after medicines are approved.
Today, we’re setting the record straight on why post-approval advances are so important and should be encouraged, not discouraged.
1. R&D continues long after a medicine is approved and first reaches patients.
Medical advances for patients often don’t end with initial FDA approval. Rather, researchers apply the knowledge they’ve gained to inform additional research on FDA-approved medicines. This research is time and resource intensive and scientifically challenging, often requiring additional clinical trials and significant data collection before the FDA grants any additional approvals or product label updates.
Many of these advances that occur following initial FDA approval have resulted in increased survival rates, improved patient outcomes and enhanced quality of life for patients with cancer, autoimmune diseases and rare diseases, among others. Whether discovering a new medicine or finding new ways to manufacture, administer and advance previously approved treatments, biopharmaceutical companies are committed to finding treatments and cures to help patients live longer, healthier lives.
2. Post-approval research often leads to life changing improvements for patients.
Once a medicine is approved, researchers take their work even further to assess whether there may be additional benefits for patients. In some cases, additional research determines that the medicine can also be used to treat different states of the same disease, such as earlier stages of cancer. Additional research may also demonstrate the medicine can be used to treat completely different conditions, including different forms of cancer, or different diseases altogether. And in other cases, additional research may lead to increased safety or effectiveness or new dosage forms or forms of administration of a medicine that can improve patient adherence or convenience, leading to better patient outcomes. These are significant improvements that simply would not exist without post-approval research.
3. Congress has long recognized the importance of post-approval research to address unmet patient need.
To help stimulate the development of treatments for additional unmet medical needs and encourage companies to conduct the significant and challenging additional research required, Congress has implemented policies that help support post-approval biomedical R&D. Policies such as the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) and the Orphan Drug Act (ODA) were passed by Congress to encourage investment in areas of high scientific uncertainty and significant unmet patient needs, and have resulted in important benefits for patients.
The BPCA incentivizes companies to conduct studies for children beyond studies related to the adult indications for the medicine by providing an additional 6 months to existing exclusivity for the medicine once paediatric studies have been conducted and evaluated by FDA. The incentives in the BPCA encourage sponsors to invest in paediatric research despite the challenges of conducting pediatric research including smaller disease populations compared to adults, selection of appropriate dose levels, blood volume and tissue sampling restrictions, impact on school and family life and obtaining informed consent. Since 2012 over 68 products have been studied under BPCA.
Since the enactment of ODA in 1983, the FDA has approved more than 600 medicines for rare diseases, in contrast to fewer than 10 medicines for rare diseases in the decade prior to its enactment. Many of these indications were developed for medicines that were previously approved for use in other populations or in other diseases. Despite these recent treatment advances, rare and paediatric diseases remain an area of high unmet need. Currently, more than 90% of rare diseases, including those that impact children, have no available treatment option.
Given the importance of post-approval advances to so many patients, it is beyond disappointing some in Congress are pushing a price setting policy that threatens it, ultimately leading to fewer innovations which, so many patients are depending on. Now is not the time for Congress to undermine scientific innovation.
We can lower what patients pay for medicines without threatening future treatments and cures. Learn more about a better way. Ref:phrma
Copyright © 2023 Future-Safe - Empowering progress through expert advice - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy