Prescribable Mobile Apps Huge Threat for Pharma

Forbes.com—May 14, 2012

With the proliferation of mHealth apps, it was only a matter of time before healthcare providers would start prescribing apps as soon as apps proved to be as or more effective than prescription drugs. Happtique, a mobile health application store and app management solution startup will launch a trial of mRx™, the first program to enable physicians to prescribe mHealth apps to patients. Anecdotal evidence has circulated that some apps have been more effective at addressing some chronic conditions than drugs.

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For the program trial, Happtique is recruiting physician prescribers who treat heart disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as physical therapists and trainers to test the technology with health and fitness apps. After a training program, Happtique will track both prescribing processes and patient mRx™ downloads through early summer. “Mobile app prescribing will add an entirely new dimension to my ability to care for patients,” said Steven Magid, M.D., a rheumatologist at New York-based Hospital for Special Surgery. “The use of Happtique’s mRx™ will ultimately improve patients’ health.”

Read the full story at forbes.com.