Mobile Prescription Therapy
Smartphones and tablet computers are a new way to deliver diabetes therapy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calls this new type of therapy “mobile prescription therapy.”
Mobile prescription therapy (MPT) products tell you what to do to take care of your diabetes. The advice shows up on your smartphone or other device.
You need a prescription for MPT products, which are regulated by the FDA.
MPT products must show in clinical trials that they are safe and help people improve their health. MPT products must keep your health information private.
These products are not like the simple health apps you can get for your phone or tablet. They can provide medical advice that regular apps aren't allowed to provide.
The first MPT product on the market is BlueStar by WellDoc. You cannot get it in all states.
BlueStar is designed for adults 21 or older with type 2 diabetes who are not on an insulin pump and are not pregnant.
Your doctor writes a prescription for the service. A pharmacy fills the prescription.
You have face-to-face training before you can use BlueStar. The trainer sets up the service on your mobile devices and computer. The trainer shows you how to use the system.
To use the system, you enter information about taking medicine, your blood glucose checks, what you eat, your exercise, and other actions. The automated system then tells you what to do.
For example, say you test your blood glucose and the meter shows 66 mg/dl. You use your smartphone to enter that number in the BlueStar system. You will see information on your phone about how to treat low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
In about 15 minutes, you will see a note to recheck your blood glucose to make sure it is back to a safe level.
The system also may give your doctor ideas about changing your diabetes therapy. He or she can talk to you about changes by e-mail or phone. Or you may talk about changes at your next in-person visit.
The system does not provide emergency help.