FDA has recently approved a pill that contains a sensor to digitally track if patients have taken their medication. Abilify MyCite is approved for the treatment of episodes of bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, and depression in adults.

According to the FDA, “The system works by sending a message from the pill’s sensor to a wearable patch. The patch transmits the information to a mobile application so that patients can track the ingestion of the medication on their smartphone.”

The FDA supports the use of new technology in prescription drugs. The agency is working with companies to understand how technology might benefit patients and prescribers.

“Abilify was first approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat schizophrenia,” according to the FDA. “The ingestible sensor used in Abilify MyCite was first permitted for marketing by the FDA in 2012.”

Abilify MyCite may be very useful for patients prescribed for mental illness. It will help them be able to track ingestion of medications prescribed.