Characteristics of Digital Health Technologies Used in Pharmaceutical Industry–Led Access Programs
| Programs With a DHT, No. (%) (n=43, 42.6%) | Programs Without a DHT, No. (%) (n=58, 57.4%) | P Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region of implementation | |||
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 31 (72.1) | 34 (58.6) | .21 |
| South Asia | 14 (32.6) | 23 (39.7) | .53 |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 7 (14) | 12 (20.7) | .61 |
| Middle East and North Africa | 5 (11.6) | 8 (13.8) | 1.0 |
| East Asia and Pacific | 4 (9.3) | 4 (6.9) | .49 |
| Europe and Central Asia | 3 (7.0) | 7 (12.1) | .51 |
| Targeted disease area | |||
| Cancer | 26 (60.5)b | 44 (75.9)b | - |
| Breast | 4 (9.3) | 10 (17.2) | .38 |
| Lung cancer | 5 (11.6) | 1 (1.7) | .08 |
| Other | 17 (39.5) | 33 (56.9) | .16 |
| Metabolic disorders | 17 (39.5)b | 5 (8.1)b | - |
| Type 1 diabetes | 5 (11.6) | 1 (1.7) | .08 |
| Type 2 diabetes | 12 (27.9) | 3 (5.2) | .03b |
| Cardiovascular diseases | 11 (25.6)b | 8 (13.8)b | - |
| Cardiovascular, general | 3 (7.0) | 3 (5.2) | .70 |
| Hypertension | 7 (16.3) | 5 (8.6) | .35 |
| Asthma | 1 (2.3) | 0 | .43 |
| Mental and neurological disorders | 5 (11.6)b | 7 (12.1)b | - |
| Mental health, general | 4 (9.3) | 7 (12.1) | .76 |
| Alzheimer’s | 1 (2.3) | 0 | .43 |
| Mother and child health | 3 (6.8)b | 0b | .07 |
| Respiratory disease | 0b | 2 (3.4)b | .51 |
| Musculoskeletal diseases | 1 (2.3)b | 1 (1.7)b | - |
| Osteoporosis | 1 (2.3) | 0 | .43 |
| Arthritis | 0 | 1 (1.7) | 1.0 |
| Other NCDs | 4 (9.3)b | 13 (22.4)b | .11 |
| Access strategya | |||
| Health service strengthening | 32 (74.4) | 44 (75.9) | 1.0 |
| Community awareness and linkage to care | 18 (41.9) | 39 (67.2) | .03b |
| Health service delivery | 11 (25.6) | 29 (50) | .02b |
| Supply chain | 3 (7.0) | 3 (5.2) | .69 |
| Product development and research | 1 (2.3) | 0 | .43 |
| Financing | 0 | 4 (6.9) | .13 |
| Price scheme | 0 | 10 (17.2) | <.01b |
| Regulation and legislation | 0 | 3 (5.2) | .26 |
| Medicine donation | 0 | 9 (15.5) | <.01b |
| WHO Digital Health Classificationc | |||
| Health care providers | 35 (81.4) | - | |
| Data services | 24 (55.8) | - | |
| Clients | 18 (41.8) | - | |
| Health system management | 9 (20.9) | - |
Abbreviations: DHT, digital health technology; NCD, noncommunicable disease; WHO, World Health Organization.
↵aEach program and DHT can apply to multiple strategies.
↵bStatistically significant (2-sided P<.05). Differences between groups were tested with a Fisher’s exact test.
↵cEach DHT can apply to multiple classifications.