Sempre più persone soffrono di depressione. La gravità e i sintomi sono molto vari. Anche i bambini e gli adolescenti sono colpiti più frequentemente al giorno d’oggi. Chiunque si senta depresso o impotente per un periodo di tempo prolungato e possa escludere cause fisiche, come la carenza di vitamina D3, può essere aiutato da antidepressivi dopo aver consultato un medico. La cosa più importante è la regolarità dell’assunzione.

Nel caso di disturbi fisici, di solito è abbastanza facile prescrivere il farmaco giusto. Per i problemi di salute mentale, invece, il percorso per arrivare al farmaco giusto può essere lungo. Perché il nostro cervello è estremamente complesso e non è nemmeno lontanamente studiato come il corpo umano.

Inoltre, non tutte le persone hanno esperienze positive con gli antidepressivi. I possibili effetti collaterali, come l’ipertensione, i problemi di stomaco o il mal di testa, possono essere avvertiti come talmente fastidiosi da indurre a sospendere presto l’assunzione degli antidepressivi. Inoltre, molti pazienti temono che questo tipo di farmaco possa creare rapidamente dipendenza. Ma una volta trovato l’antidepressivo giusto, la qualità della vita può migliorare improvvisamente e in modo duraturo.

Cosa sono gli antidepressivi e come funzionano?

Gli antidepressivi sono psicofarmaci, ovvero farmaci utilizzati per il trattamento delle malattie mentali. È importante sapere che gli antidepressivi non sono né stimolanti né soporiferi, né possono creare dipendenza. Quando si è in fase depressiva, alcuni processi cerebrali non funzionano come dovrebbero.

Le sostanze messaggere presenti nel cervello, responsabili della comunicazione tra le cellule nervose ivi conservate, non funzionano più al livello abituale. È qui che entrano in gioco gli antidepressivi, che cercano di porre rimedio alle disfunzioni risultanti e di incanalare più sostanze messaggere nella fessura sinaptica. Quest’area – lo spazio tra due cellule nervose comunicanti – è importante per la trasmissione degli impulsi nervosi.

Gli antidepressivi rafforzano i neurotrasmettitori serotonina, noradrenalina e dopamina. Il risultato è che le cellule nervose possono tornare a comunicare meglio tra loro. Tuttavia, possono essere necessari alcuni giorni o settimane perché i sintomi depressivi si attenuino e si manifesti una sensazione di miglioramento.

Questi antidepressivi sono spesso utilizzati:

• Inibitori selettivi della ricaptazione della serotonina (SSRI), che comprendono, ad esempio, i farmaci fluvoxamina, fluoxetina, citalopram e sertralina.
• Inibitori selettivi della ricaptazione della serotonina-norepinefrina (SNNRI), che comprendono, ad esempio, duloxetina e venlafaxina.
• Antidepressivi triciclici (TCA), di cui sono esempi l’amitriptilina e la clomipramina.

Trattamento della depressione a lungo termine

Se si è trovato il farmaco giusto e ci si sente meglio, non si deve interrompere immediatamente l’assunzione di antidepressivi. Questo può sembrare allettante, ma può portare presto a sprofondare nella fase depressiva successiva. Si raccomanda di continuare il trattamento fino a sei mesi dopo la guarigione, dopodiché il farmaco può essere eliminato gradualmente. Ciò significa che se ne assumono dosi sempre più ridotte, fino a quando non si smette del tutto di assumerlo.

Le seguenti misure terapeutiche possono supportare il trattamento farmacologico:

• Terapia della luce: la “doccia leggera” quotidiana aumenta il livello di serotonina
• Terapia dell’esercizio: tutti i tipi di esercizio fisico possono aiutare a rafforzare la salute mentale
• Dieta sana: Gli acidi grassi omega-3 e gli acidi grassi monoinsaturi sono importanti per la formazione dei neurotrasmettitori.

Naturalmente, queste misure non sostituiscono gli antidepressivi, ma possono sostenere l’organismo nel processo di recupero.

Assumere regolarmente gli antidepressivi: l’app TOM è d’aiuto

Soprattutto con gli antidepressivi, è assolutamente necessario assumerli regolarmente. Siete un po’ smemorati e non vi ricordate sempre di prendere le compresse? L’app TOM vi ricorda in modo affidabile di prendere i vostri farmaci ogni giorno. Viene aggiunto un nuovo farmaco e ne viene eliminato un altro? Nessun problema! Nell’armadietto virtuale dell’app è possibile riordinare i farmaci in qualsiasi momento. Ora scaricate il file scaricare la TOM-APP e non dimenticare mai più di prendere gli antidepressivi.

È una delle malattie cardiache più comuni al mondo e può portare ad attacchi cardiaci, aritmie cardiache e altre gravi conseguenze. Stiamo parlando della cardiopatia coronarica (CHD), una malattia in cui il cuore non riceve più ossigeno e sostanze nutritive sufficienti. Le persone anziane sono particolarmente colpite. Subito dopo, però, la buona notizia: con un cambiamento dello stile di vita e una regolare terapia farmacologica, questa malattia cardiaca può essere trattata bene.

Più invecchiamo, più depositi di calcio si trovano nelle arterie e nei vasi. Se le arterie cardiache si restringono a causa dei depositi (arteriosclerosi), il cuore non riceve più sangue a sufficienza, e quindi non riceve abbastanza ossigeno e nutrienti. Il sintomo più comune di CHD è un dolore improvviso e forte dietro lo sterno. Questo dolore è chiamato anche “angina pectoris“.

Chi è particolarmente colpito e come si può minimizzare il rischio?

Sono colpite soprattutto le persone anziane, gli uomini con una frequenza circa doppia rispetto alle donne. Tuttavia, l’età e il sesso non sono gli unici fattori di rischio. Come per altre malattie, anche lo stile di vita personale e la predisposizione familiare giocano un ruolo importante. Chi sa che in famiglia ci sono casi di malattie coronariche dovrebbe fare regolarmente esercizio fisico, seguire una dieta sana ed equilibrata ed evitare il più possibile lo stress. Anche il fumo, il consumo eccessivo di alcol e il sovrappeso favoriscono le malattie cardiache.

Sintomi: riconoscere la cardiopatia coronarica

La cosa pericolosa di malattia coronarica è che non sempre viene notato immediatamente. I sintomi si manifestano solo quando i vasi sono già gravemente ristretti e il sangue arriva al cuore in quantità notevolmente inferiore rispetto alle persone sane. Il dolore toracico intenso non è l’unico sintomo; anche la sudorazione, la mancanza di fiato e la sensazione di panico possono essere segnali di malattia coronarica malattie cardiache. I sintomi citati sono spesso scatenati da un forte stress fisico o mentale o dal freddo. Si può anche avvertire un fastidio dopo un pasto particolarmente luculliano. Importante da sapere: In presenza di uno di questi disturbi, è necessario chiamare immediatamente l’ambulanza per precauzione.

Diagnosi e trattamento della cardiopatia coronarica

A volte la diagnosi viene fatta abbastanza rapidamente dopo aver descritto i sintomi avvertiti. Nella maggior parte dei casi, tuttavia, è necessario un esame completo mediante ECG a riposo, ECG da sforzo ed ecografia cardiaca. Questo è l’unico modo per determinare quanto gravemente il cuore e i vasi coronarici siano già compromessi nel loro lavoro. In base ai risultati dell’esame, i pazienti affetti da CHD ricevono un piano di trattamento personalizzato con l’obiettivo di allargare nuovamente le arterie coronarie ristrette e migliorare così il flusso e l’afflusso di sangue al muscolo cardiaco. Fattori di rischio classici come ipertensione arteriosa e i livelli elevati di colesterolo vengono trattati con farmaci.

I seguenti farmaci a lungo termine sono comunemente utilizzati:

• ACE-inibitori: impediscono la produzione dell’ormone che porta al restringimento delle arterie (angiotensina II). Inoltre, assicurano un migliore afflusso di sangue all’aorta.
• Inibitori dell’angiotensina II: impediscono l’azione dell’ormone angiotensina II, che restringe le arterie.
• Beta-bloccanti: assicurano che gli ormoni dello stress non abbiano effetto sul muscolo cardiaco e sui vasi sanguigni. Questo rallenta il cuore e migliora l’apporto di sangue al muscolo cardiaco.
• Diuretici: Aiutano l’organismo a eliminare i liquidi in eccesso immagazzinati nei tessuti. Questo dà anche sollievo al cuore.

Tenere sotto controllo la malattia coronarica: con l’app TOM

Farmaci per Malattia coronarica devono essere assunti regolarmente. Se avete difficoltà a tenere traccia dei diversi farmaci o a volte dimenticate di prenderli, l’app TOM vi aiuterà. L’app vi informa ogni giorno quali farmaci è necessario assumere e quando . È inoltre possibile aggiungere o rimuovere facilmente i farmaci nell’armadietto virtuale dell’app. Scarica subito l’app TOM e gestire il vostro malattia coronarica al sicuro!

Allergy sufferers know it all too well: If the immune system comes into contact with an allergen, the body reacts allergically. Sometimes the allergy can only be controlled with medication. For these to work, they must be taken regularly. This is where the TOM app comes in: with daily reminders on the smartphone, it is an active help against forgetting.

More than 60 million people in Europe[1] have an allergic reaction to certain allergens. What exactly happens in the body during an allergy? During an allergic reaction, the messenger substance histamine is released, which causes an inflammatory reaction in the body. The result: itchy eyes, sneezing, skin rash, swelling, breathing difficulties or gastrointestinal problems. The symptoms of allergy are varied and create stress in the body. In the long run, this can cause tissue damage, which in turn promotes the migration of the allergy. This means that a perhaps harmless hay fever can turn into allergic asthma if left untreated. Therefore, you should not underestimate allergies.

[1] https://allergiecheck.de/zusatzliche-informationen-presse/fakten-zur-allergie

What allergies are there actually?

If you suspect an allergy, you should consult a doctor or allergist. Based on allergy diagnostics, certain allergies could be determined or excluded. Therefore, before starting any treatment, it is advisable to have your doctor determine which allergens are responsible for your symptoms by means of an allergy test. Some people are allergic to pollen, others to house dust or animal dander. Allergy types can be broadly classified as follows:

• Inhalant allergens. These include animal hair allergy, pollen allergy or dust mite allergy
• Contact allergens in the sense of skin allergy
• Injection and ingestion allergens. These include wasp allergy and food allergy

Allergy treatment: tablets and more

The best thing to do is to avoid the allergen. But unfortunately, this is not always possible. In this case, you should consider medical treatment of allergies by means of anti-allergic drugs (antihistamines) to avoid secondary diseases. Especially for acute allergy symptoms, medications are usually the right choice. The active ingredients contained ensure that the allergic reactions are weakened or prevented. Allergy medications are divided into two types:

• Locally acting medications such as nasal sprays or eye sprays
• Systemically acting drugs such as allergy tablets

Managing allergies: with the clever TOM app

With the TOM app, you can easily and simply manage the intake of your allergy medications. Especially when the time of intake or even the form of medication changes, you always keep track thanks to the reminder function of the TOM app. Are your allergy tablets or allergy nasal spray coming to an end? Here, too, the TOM app offers a remedy: Simply set your medication stock at the beginning. The health app reminds you at a certain time to repurchase the medication. Download the TOM APP now and manage your allergy smartly!

There are many chronic diseases worldwide that affect the lives of millions of people every day. Not only dealing with the disease itself, but also the often extensive therapy plans and daily medication regimen prove to be a burden for those affected.

The medication app for easy and clear handling of medications

With TOM Medications you get many different functions in one app:

• TOM Medications Reminds you to take your medications on time and also shows you the correct dosage instructions for your medications each day.
• In a virtual medicine cabinet you have with TOM your tablets at a glance. Here you can add and remove all your medications easily and clearly – according to your individual and current therapy plan.
• With the convenient medication replenishment feature, TOM Medications allows you to reorder your medications directly from the tablet app, keeping you on track with your treatment plans without interruption.
• The Medi Check from TOM Medications, in cooperation with a Swiss pharmacy, offers you the possibility to analyze interactions of different medications and to receive further information about your medications within 2 days.

Medication management app for people with hypertension

For people with high blood pressure the condition can have serious consequences, especially without proper treatment. Medication Manager from TOM Medications helps sufferers consistently take their important blood pressure pills. The TOM app also offers another helpful feature for hypertension patients: In addition to the medication, many different measurements can be documented in the app. This allows patients to enter their blood pressure measurement results daily and show them at their next doctor’s visit, if necessary. Graphical statistics of the measurements also illustrate your measurement results over time.

Diabetes: Simplified therapy adherence with TOM Medications

The TOM medication app also helps people with a diabetes disease. In addition to an appropriate diet, taking the right medication for diabetes is essential. The tablet reminder in the TOM app reminds you to take your medication every day. If your therapy plan includes various medications, you can add them clearly in the virtual medication cabinet and always keep track of them.

For yourself or for your doctor, you can also print or send a monthly health report directly from the TOM Tablets app.

Download the TOM app now and manage chronic diseases safely!

L’ipertensione arteriosa è una delle principali cause di malattie cardiovascolari, come infarti e ictus. Alcune delle cause dell’ipertensione arteriosa sono l’obesità, il poco esercizio fisico e lo stress, oltre a una predisposizione ereditaria. Se l’ipertensione non viene trattata, possono insorgere malattie secondarie, soprattutto a carico del sistema cardiovascolare.

Deve prendere le pillole per la pressione sanguigna? Allora probabilmente sapete che la regolarità gioca un ruolo importante in questo senso. Con l’aiuto dell’app TOM, potete assicurarvi di non dimenticare di prendere una dose. La pratica app per la salute ricorda di assumere i farmaci ogni giorno all’ora stabilita.

L’ipertensione arteriosa: una malattia diffusa

L’ipertensione arteriosa (nota in medicina come ipertensione) è molto diffusa nei Paesi industrializzati. In Germania, circa 20-30 milioni di persone sono affette dalla malattia. Più si invecchia, più aumenta il rischio di sviluppare l’ipertensione. Ma anche i bambini e i giovani possono essere colpiti. La mancanza di esercizio fisico e il sovrappeso sono i principali fattori di rischio. Tuttavia, ci sono anche persone snelle e sportive, che seguono una dieta sana e che tuttavia soffrono di ipertensione. Spesso ciò può essere attribuito a una predisposizione familiare.

Effetti tardivi pericolosi

L’aspetto pericoloso dell’ipertensione arteriosa è che le conseguenze si manifestano solo in fase avanzata. E questi effetti tardivi possono essere gravi. Se l’ipertensione non viene individuata per molti anni, può portare a danni permanenti a organi vitali come il cuore, il cervello e gli occhi. Soprattutto gli infarti e gli ictus sono spesso causati dalla pressione alta. La buona notizia è che se la malattia viene individuata in tempo, i sintomi secondari e le malattie del sistema cardiovascolare possono essere ritardati o addirittura evitati del tutto.

Trattamento dell’ipertensione arteriosa in modo naturale

Se la pressione arteriosa è solo leggermente elevata, è possibile evitare di assumere farmaci. Si raccomandano le seguenti misure:

• Ridurre il peso.
• Preparate gli alimenti a basso contenuto di sale.
• Ridurre lo stress.
• Esercitatevi regolarmente. In questo caso, ad esempio, la camminata quotidiana o il nordic walking sono particolarmente adatti.

Se queste misure non sono sufficienti o la pressione arteriosa è molto elevata, si può ricorrere ai farmaci antipertensivi.

Questi farmaci sono utilizzati per l’ipertensione arteriosa

Esistono diversi tipi di farmaci utilizzati per abbassare la pressione alta. Tra i più noti ci sono: ACE-inibitori, betabloccanti, diuretici, antagonisti del potassio e sartani. Il farmaco più adatto dipende da diversi fattori, come l’età o le malattie pregresse. A volte vengono combinati diversi farmaci per ottenere il miglior risultato possibile. Il medico deciderà insieme a voi un piano di trattamento individuale.

Gestire la pressione alta: con la pratica app TOM

Assume diversi farmaci in momenti diversi della giornata? A questo punto l’app TOM diventa utile. Aiuta a tenere traccia dei farmaci che si assumono per l’ipertensione. L’applicazione ha una comoda funzione di promemoria e vi dice ogni giorno quando è il momento di prendere i farmaci. Volete aggiungere o rimuovere farmaci? È possibile farlo in qualsiasi momento nell’armadietto virtuale dei medicinali dell’app.

Scaricate subito l’APP TOM e tenete sempre sotto controllo la vostra ipertensione!

It is considered one of the most widespread diseases in the world: diabetes, also known as “diabetes,” is a metabolic disease that can have serious consequences. “Diabetes mellitus” refers to various diseases based on a metabolic disorder. An elevated blood sugar level is the result.

People with diabetes do not produce enough insulin in the pancreas. Thus, the sugar is not transported into the cells and the blood sugar level rises. That’s why regular blood glucose monitoring and taking certain medications are usually part of everyday life for diabetes patients. The TOM app reliably reminds you at the time of your choice to take your measurement or your medication. This way you have your head free for other things.

What types of diabetes are there and how do you recognize them?

In diabetes, we talk about two different types: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. What are the differences between these two types of diabetes?

• Diabetes type 1 is a congenital immune deficiency and usually occurs in childhood or adolescence. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s own defenses destroy insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The treatment is carried out by regular intake of insulin.

• Diabetes type 2 is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and highly sugary food. It is therefore an “acquired disease”. The explanation: the constant consumption of large amounts of sugar leads to an overproduction of insulin, at some point insulin resistance develops and the sugar can no longer be absorbed by the body. With type 2 diabetes, the primary advice is to live healthier. If a change in diet is not enough, medication is used

Incidentally, similar symptoms occur in both types of diabetes. These include, for example, excessive thirst, cold sweats, severe weight fluctuations, fatigue, muscle cramps, and frequent infections.

Diabetes treatment: healthy diet is worth its weight in gold!

As already mentioned, a change in diet is definitely recommended. Eat plenty of whole grains, vegetables and fish. When it comes to fruit, make sure it has a low sugar content. Here, for example, apples, pears, oranges and berries are suitable. Also, drink plenty of water and unsweetened teas. Outdoor exercise should also become a fixed part of your daily routine.

Manage diabetes: with the practical TOM app

The TOM app helps you keep track of your diabetes medications. The app tells you every day when you need to take your medication and even has a handy reminder function. In the app’s virtual medicine cabinet, you can add or remove medications at any time.

Download the TOM APP now and manage your diabetes safely!

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only about half of people suffering from a chronic disease take their medication as prescribed.^[1] Other studies also report similar numbers that vary by disease.^[2] This should alarm patients, health care providers, payers, the economy and the public sector alike, because the negative consequences of this non-compliance with prescribed treatment, called treatment infidelity, are enormous. We describe why patients find it difficult to follow treatment recommendations. We shed light on the direct and indirect impact this treatment infidelity can have not only on patients, but on society. And we show how adherence to therapy can succeed and be increased by using the TOM app

Challenges for patients

It is common knowledge that many people under medical care have difficulty following treatment recommendations, especially when chronic disease processes are involved. Non-adherence to medical recommendations can vary significantly depending on the patient, the condition, and even the medication.

The reasons are manifold. The treatment itself may be unpleasant, interfere with daily work or private life, or be accompanied by side effects. Patients may be confused, on the one hand by conflicting medical advice from multiple specialists or by freely available information from the Internet. In part, the importance to follow therapy may not have been communicated clearly enough according to the patient’s capacity to receive it or presented in an understandable way. Consultation options or targeted therapy monitoring after the start of treatment are often not provided or close enough. Additional concerns on the part of the patient or a lack of motivation, in combination with the aspects already mentioned, then lead to neglect of the agreements made or even discontinuation of the therapy, especially since the benefits of the treatment often only become apparent after a while.

Adherence to therapy – therapy adherence – does not only mean taking medication regularly and according to the instructions. It means for the patient to play an active role in the treatment, to take responsibility for compliance with medical recommendations and to permanently adjust his behavior (e.g. lifestyle, diet, exercise, as well as regular, correct intake of medication).

With adherence to therapy, health can succeed

The benefits of strict adherence to therapy for patients and especially patients with chronic disease courses are obvious. We have listed some of these here; of course, these may vary depending on the clinical picture and patient sociography and may change as the disease progresses:

• better health and well-being
• Halt or delay progression of the disease
• Avoid further complications
• Fewer recurrent episodes of illness and (re)admission rates.
• Increased patient safety through minimized risks
• more quality of life.

Proactive strategies that support adherence to medical treatment recommendations enable many chronically ill people to continue to engage in regular work or to return to work after a period of rehabilitation.

Society also benefits – A look at the other side

Adherence to therapy not only improves people’s health, but also ensures cost savings in healthcare and a productivity boost in the economy. Chronic diseases in particular lead to major economic losses every year.^[3]

Productivity losses occur due to “presenteeism” (presence with limited ability to work), absence due to illness or even incapacity to work. Thanks to strict adherence to therapy, many chronically ill patients are able to continue working or return to their jobs after a period of rehabilitation. Productivity improvements are particularly important in areas where there is a shortage of skilled workers and labor or where demographic change is having a negative impact on the structure.

It is accepted that the cost of lost productivity is on par with direct medical benefit expenditures.^[3]

But it’s not just the employer who benefits from increased therapy compliance; the public purse does too. Less incapacity to work means, for example, fewer social benefits and higher tax revenues.

Although better treatment adherence means immediately increasing treatment costs, in the medium and long term the need for treatment and care can be reduced compared to non-adherent patients.

Although all of those mentioned should have an interest in promoting practices that facilitate treatment adherence, the motivation and commitment to do so is not the same for everyone. Medical providers in particular, who have the most direct contact and thus the greatest influence on patients, are largely focused on diagnosis and treatment recommendation. In purely economic terms, they have the least incentive to implement adherence-promoting strategies. This is because treatments are disproportionately weighted compared to therapy monitoring.

Therefore, it will be important to generate robust data demonstrating the benefits of adherence at all levels so that legislators are prepared to institutionalize adherence-promoting treatment guidelines.

Interventions that improve treatment adherence

Interventions can be divided into strategies that actively promote optimal adherence and those that monitor adherence. They should be based on the stage of therapy and ideally distinguish whether therapy should be started, implemented, or continued.^[4]

Evaluation of successful strategies to promote treatment adherence shows that face-to-face counseling models (direct interventions) are similarly successful to indirect interventions (e.g., materials sent electronically, by mail, or by fax).^[5] For example, it was found that patients’ adherence to statins improved significantly after 12 months with advice and support from the pharmacy.^[6]

A 2016 meta-analysis (16 RCTs, 2742 patients total) reported that text messaging doubled the likelihood of medication adherence and improved it by 17.8% overall.^[7] Mobile notifications were also shown to be effective in improving adherence to weight loss medications.^[8]Mobile Benachrichtigungen zeigten sich auch wirkungsvoll in der Verbesserung der Therapietreue bei Medikamenten zur Gewichtsreduktion.^[9]

But measures that make taking medication clear and simplify it are also proving effective. This includes, for example, special dosettes or, of course, a medication schedule, whether in paper or digital form, as an app.

mHealth applications help integrate individual therapy adherence into daily life

Thanks to growing acceptance and advancing digitization, mobile health (mHealth) interventions are already well-used everyday companions that help patients take their medication.^{[10],[11],[12]}

Many people own smartphones, and smartphone applications (apps) provide a scalable and cost-effective way to intervene. There are now more than 5000 apps that support medication adherence, but there are relatively few studies that have examined their effectiveness.^[13] A 2020 meta-analysis (9 RCTs, 1159 patients total) found that app users were more likely to adhere to prescribed medications than participants without an app, but the average study duration was only 12 weeks.^[14]

A cutting-edge Australian study provides the first evidence that app-based interventions increase adherence to treatment and that positive behavior change in medication adherence also produces longer-term improvements in clinical parameters in multimorbidity.^[15]

What the TOM app can do – 1 year in facts

With the TOM app from the Zurich-based startup Innovation 6, a digital medicine cabinet has been available for about 1 year:

Medicine cabinet, which has it “IN” itself

• 120000 Medications
• Comprehensive management functions: Reminder intake time, intake duration, inventory check, reordering at the push of a button.
• Safety during intake and handling: detailed intake instructions, stored expiration dates, avoidance of overmedication, detection of therapy deviations
• No user registration required
• Anonymous medication check by TopPharm pharmacy
• Encrypted data transmission and storage via 12-digit code

Relative to the known usage time of other mHealth apps (benchmark 30 days), the TOM app shines with a 5x higher engagement rate.

APPLICATIONS

The TOM app is mainly used at:

• Cardiovascular disease (hypertension / elevated cholesterol)
• Metabolic diseases (diabetes) and
• Neurological diseases (epilepsy)

.

However, it is also used in therapies for the treatment of asthma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, mental illnesses such as depression, and in transplant medicine.

FIGURES that speak for the TOM app

Recent evaluations show that of a total of 100,000 TOM users, 82% are still taking their medications according to plan after 1 year. This also means that only 18% of users did not adhere to the medical guidelines during this period. In comparison, an average of 30% non-adherent patients is usually assumed, although the numbers vary depending on the disease.^[16]

According to a model calculation by SantéSuisse,^[17] which in turn is based on a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation from 2012 ³ the theoretically calculated savings potential for 110,000 chronically ill patients is around 4 billion Swiss francs if they were to remain faithful to their therapy. Although these figures depend on many assumptions and are not very reliable, they certainly show the magnitude of the savings that can be achieved by improving adherence to treatment.

There are an estimated 2.2 million chronically ill people in Switzerland. Assuming an average treatment nonadherence of 30%, approximately 660,000 chronically ill patients would not adhere to their treatment regimens. If one continues the calculation already started, this would result in a theoretical savings potential of around 24 billion Swiss francs in total.

An increase in adherence from about 70% to 82% in the case of the TOM app means, at least in the model, that an additional 265,000 chronically ill patients would be adherent to therapy through use of the TOM app, along with the corresponding health and economic benefits.

Plan holistic strategies that lead to treatment adherence.

Lack of adherence is one of the most central reasons for treatment failure.^[18] Experts have been discussing the importance of treatment adherence for people and society for years, even decades. However, there is still a lack of systematic, cross-cutting implementation of adherence-promoting measures. There is a need for holistic programs that reach and motivate patients on the one hand and demonstrate the benefits for all sectors of society on the other.

Apps support an urgently needed reorientation of health services research and contribute to the ability to measure effects through treatment adherence in a science- and evidence-based manner.

Thanks to mHealth applications such as the TOM app, application data is generated that can be used to demonstrate the effective benefits of adherence. An evidence base is created that facilitates the ability of various stakeholders to embed adherence-promoting interventions across domains in best-practice recommendations, guidelines, and legislation. For the good of all.

Adherence to therapy concerns us all – TOM Medications makes its contribution

Therapies only work if patients take the right drugs in the right dosage and at the right time. And regularly and exactly as long as prescribed.

It is understandable that the more medications a patient takes and, above all, the longer the therapy lasts, the more complicated this becomes.

The TOM -App is the perfect therapy companion. It promotes adherence to therapy and helps monitor compliance over the long term. It not only assists in personal medication management, but provides valuable practice data on the effective use of app and adherence in relation to disease progression, quality of care, and productivity.

SOURCES:

[1] Sabaté E. Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action. Genf: Weltgesundheitsorganisation . 2003. www.who.int/chp/knowledge/publications/adherence_report/en/. Accessed Aug 30, 2021.

[2] Hichborn J, Kaganoff S, Subramanian N, et al. Improving patient adherence through data-driven insights. PHARMACEUTICALS & MEDICAL PRODUCTS PRACTICE. 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2021, from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/pharmaceuticals-and-medical-products/our-insights/

[3] Behner P, Klink J, Visser S, Böcken J, Etgeton S. Effekte Einer Gesteigerten Therapietreue: Bessere Gesundheit Und Höhere Arbeitsproduktivität Durch Nachhaltige Änderung Des Patientenverhaltens. Booz & Company, Berthelsmann-Stiftung. 2012. https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/fileadmin/files/BSt/Presse/imported/downloads/xcms_bst_dms_36214_36215_2.pdf. Accessed August 30, 2021.

[4] Vrijens, B, et al., A new taxonomy for describing and defining adherence to medications. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2012;73:691-705.

[5] Cutrona SL, Choudhry NK, Fischer MA, et al. Modes of delivery for interventions to improve cardiovascular medication adherence. Am J Manag Care. 2010;16(12):929-942.

[6] Taitel M, Jiang J, Rudkin K, et al. The impact of pharmacist face-to-face counseling to improve medication adherence among patients initiating statin therapy. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2012;6:323-329.

[7] Thakkar J, Kurup R, Laba TL, et al. Mobile telephone text messaging for medication adherence in chronic disease: a meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(3):340-349.

[8] Li A, Cunich M, Fuller N, et al. Improving adherence to weight-loss medication (liraglutide 3.0 Mg) using mobile phone text messaging and healthcare professional support. Obesity. 2020;28:1889–901.

[9] Li A, Cunich M, Fuller N, et al. Improving adherence to weight-loss medication (liraglutide 3.0 Mg) using mobile phone text messaging and healthcare professional support. Obesity. 2020;28:1889–901.

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[16] https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/sonntagszeitung/fehlende-therapietreue-kostet-milliarden/story/20037992

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The 10 most recommended digital health solution providers from Europe 2021

TOM Medications did it again and was rewarded with a great award from The Healthcare Insights! We have achieved a place among the “10 most recommended digital health solution providers from Europe in 2021” with our TOM app. The Healthcare Insights magazine is a comprehensive guide to all things healthcare. In the course of this TOM Medications also received a certificate recognizing our contributions to the healthcare industry.

In addition to receiving the award, we also made it onto the cover of the July issue of the magazine. On four pages, we report on the various functions of our app, among other things:

• Therapy recording
• Reminders to take medications consistently and on time
• Medication Check
• Virtual medicine cabinet

With the many helpful functions of the TOM App TOM increases the adherence of its users.

Click here for a digital version of the magazine issue: https://thehealthcareinsights.com/magazine-digital/europe/Digital-Health.html#Magazine/page1

Customer-oriented thinking and an agile work culture at TOM Medications

In July a year ago, the TOM app was successfully released – after more than 10 months of conception, testing by patients and optimizations. Feedback from our users and their satisfaction are important components in the development and updates of the TOM app. That’s why we publish an update every two weeks with improvements contributed by users of our medical app.

As an innovative startup, we also focus on innovative and agile ways of working. “There are no work hours or vacation policies. There are only tasks that need to be done. Nothing more and it works perfectly” says founder Sven Beichler.

TOM Medications also offers a clear advantage over other medication reminder and adherence apps: the app is not only accessible to a broad audience but also manages to bring together and easily manage even complex therapies.

The TOM App of Innovation 6 AG has already been awarded the Silver App Award in 2020 for the “Best of Swiss Apps 2020” in the category User Experience & Usability. Now we are on our way to the top of the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Awards! Here, the 100 most innovative and promising Swiss startups are selected every year by a jury consisting of 100 leading investors and experts. For the victory we need your vote.

Parallel to the expert ranking, the TOP 100 Public Vote and for this we need YOU! Help us to the top of the most outstanding Swiss startups!

Support us and donate 1 minute of your time

1. Click < THIS LINK > and you will get to the voting page www.startup.ch
2. Click up there in the middle VOTE NOW as shown in the graphic on the right
3. Sign in with your LinkedIn account at
4. Vote for TOM Medications of Innovation 6 AG

Therapy adherence through digital medication management

For many chronically ill people, the daily and steady intake of medication is vital. However, it can often be difficult to keep track of many different medications and constantly changing dosages. In addition, according to a study by the health insurance association Santésuissen, only about 60 percent of Swiss people with chronic diseases adhere to the treatment prescribed by their doctor. Adherence to therapy is essential and can have far-reaching health consequences for the patient if not followed. This is where TOM Medications comes into play.

More than just a medication reminder with the TOM app

The TOM app provides users with easy and intuitive access to digital medication management. With daily medication reminders, the app helps users achieve adherence to therapy of 74 percent – this means that of around 700,000 planned medications, around 520,000 were actually taken.

The application area of the app, however, goes far beyond the medication reminder. Important information such as the expiration date of the medication can be stored in the digital medicine cabinet. In addition, all medications can be categorized, giving the user a better overview of all medications to be taken.

Helpful features of the TOM app

Another helpful feature is the app’s regular check of the medication’s stock level. Should replenishment be necessary, the user will be informed in good time. The Zurich-based startup didn’t stop there, however, and offers a helpful feature for this as well. With just a few clicks, users can easily use the app to medication supplies via the app and save the medications and dosages for future orders.

In collaboration with TopPharm Apotheke Witikon Zurich, the TOM app offers users a Medi Check easy, convenient and from home. Within 2 days, users receive an overview of indications, interactions, double medication, instructions for taking the medication and information on allergies of the medication to be taken.

In the following video you can see all functions briefly and concisely at a glance:

Together with you, we want to create more awareness and treatment adherence for medication use in chronic diseases. Help us to reach our goal and win the Swiss Startup Award 2021 as an ICT Startup!

Whether intentionally not taken or simply forgotten: Failure to comply with a therapy can have far-reaching health consequences for patients. This is exactly where the TOM app comes in.

Many patients are familiar with the problem: the doctor recommends one or more medications and explains when they must be taken. If you are prescribed countless medications at different times of the day in alternating doses, it’s easy to lose track of what you’re taking. However, some patients are also bothered by the flood of medications and therefore deliberately omit a unit here or there.

Many chronically ill people are tired of therapy
According to estimates by the health insurance association Santésuisse, only 60 percent of the approximately 2.2 million chronically ill patients in Switzerland are adherent to treatment. The numbers vary greatly depending on the disease. For example, surveys show that only about half of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease adhere to their physician’s prescribed therapy. For asthmatics, the figure is 55 percent. Among diabetics and people with high blood pressure, the figure is still just under 75 percent, and 80 percent among cancer patients. Another survey found that only about 26 to 59 percent of patients over age 60 are treatment adherent, meaning they take their medications as recommended.

Infidelity to therapy can have irreversible consequences
Whether deliberately not taken or simply forgotten – the result is the same. Hunderttausende Patienten missachten die Therapievorgaben ihrer Ärzte. For a cold or a sprained foot, this may be largely harmless. Especially in chronically ill people, however, treatment noncompliance can have far-reaching health consequences and even lead to irreversible secondary diseases. Pills that are not swallowed can also lead to unnecessary increases in dose, necessitate a change in therapy, and cause additional hospital days. If, for example, antibiotics are taken in too low doses, this can even lead to resistance of the pathogens.

TOM app increases adherence to therapy by 23 percent
This is exactly where the TOM app from the Zurich-based start-up Innovation 6 comes in. It now sends over 1.5 million reminders to its 50,000 users across Europe so they don’t forget to take their medication on time. All users have to do is enter their prescription or select the drug from the database of over 120,000 official medications. Within seconds, new medications can be added to the virtual medicine cabinet and managed.

This reminder has an effect. Initial surveys have shown that out of a total of 700,000 scheduled drug intakes, 520,000 have actually been confirmed as taken. This means that TOM app users’ adherence to treatment is a proud 74 percent, almost a quarter above the Swiss average.

After the successful launch of the app, however, the start-up wants to go even one step further and help its users not only to take their medication on time, but also to get supplies in good time when the medication supply is gradually running out. ( Medication replenishment: fast, simple, digital)