Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Pharmaceuticals
July 12, 2017

Smart Medicine Container for Anti-stroke Medicine Approved for Sale in Japan

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. today announced the granting of approval of a supplemental application for a smart medicine container by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The container with the anti-platelet drug Pletaal (cilostazol) OD tablets 100mg forms part of the "Pletaal Assist System".

This smart medicine container with Internet of Things functionality, was developed in combination with the pharmaceutical expertise and technological know-how of Otsuka and NEC, respectively.

The "Pletaal Assist System" consists of three components: a medicine container, a module that flashes an LED and connects to a smartphone, and a smartphone application. Together these will remind patients when to take their medicine and allow patients and caregivers to check the medication history on a smartphone.

The daily use of anti-platelet drugs is critical for the prevention of stroke recurrence. However, there have been reports of treatment adherence as low as 50% within half a year of starting treatment because patients forget to take their medication or stop doing so without their physician's consultation. It is important to continue the treatment uninterrupted.