Recent moves by the Food and Drug Administration have given digital health companies a big boost during the Covid-19 pandemic. The FDA gave Livongo an emergency use authorization to allow its blood glucose monitors to be used in hospitals, and has loosened requirements around the use of digital tools for mental health.

Digital health companies are quickly embracing changes by the Food and Drug Administration that would make it easier for consumers and hospitals to use their technologies. Last week, the FDA approved an emergency use authorization for Livongo, allowing at-home glucose monitors to be used in hospitals. It also loosened regulations around the use of software tools for mental health.

Though companies are still processing the new regulations, most were enthusiastic about the temporary changes.

“I think this is a really good step in the right direction for both access to digital therapeutics and quality standards for digital therapeutics. We’re quite excited about this announcement,” said Corey McCann, CEO of Pear Therapeutics, a startup that has three approved digital therapeutics for behavioral health. “I think there’s a tremendous opportunity to continue to make digital therapeutics the standard of care.”

Source: medcitynews.com