Digital Therapeutics and the Expanding Scope of Pharmaceutical Care

Korpela Cleave^*
*Correspondence: Korpela Cleave, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA, Email:

Introduction

Digital Therapeutics (DTx) represents a growing category of evidence-based, software-driven interventions designed to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions. Unlike general wellness apps, digital therapeutics is often subjected to rigorous clinical trials and regulatory approvals, placing them alongside traditional medical treatments. These technologies include mobile applications, wearable sensors and algorithm-driven platforms that deliver personalized care plans, behavioral modifications and disease monitoring tools. As chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and mental health disorders continue to rise globally, digital therapeutics offer scalable, patient-centered solutions that augment existing treatment frameworks [1].

The integration of these tools into mainstream healthcare is gradually redefining the landscape of pharmaceutical care, with pharmacists poised to play a more expansive role in supporting their use. Pharmacistsâ?? accessibility, clinical knowledge and trusted relationships with patients position them uniquely to facilitate DTx implementation, monitor outcomes and bridge gaps between technology and traditional care. This evolution marks a significant shift from medication-focused roles to digital-health-enabled pharmaceutical practice [2].

Description

The growing relevance of digital therapeutics in modern healthcare challenges pharmacists to rethink how they contribute to health outcomes beyond dispensing medications. With their involvement in Medication Therapy Management (MTM), chronic disease counseling and adherence support, pharmacists already function as key care coordinators-roles that naturally extend to DTx facilitation. Pharmacists can help patients understand how to use digital therapeutics effectively, interpret their outputs and integrate them into daily routines. Moreover, by monitoring adherence to digital regimens and reviewing patient-generated health data, pharmacists provide real-time, data-informed guidance that supports behavioral change and therapy optimization. This is especially critical in conditions where digital tools support cognitive behavioral therapy, monitor medication adherence, or track biometric data. As these platforms generate health insights, pharmacists can collaborate with prescribers to make informed treatment decisions, close care loops and ensure that digital interventions are safe, personalized and responsive to patient needs. This collaborative approach not only improves care outcomes but also reinforces the expanding clinical scope of pharmacy practice in the digital era [3].

Pharmacists are increasingly becoming active stakeholders in the deployment and success of digital therapeutics, particularly in managing chronic conditions and enhancing treatment adherence. In diabetes management, for example, pharmacists can guide patients through digital glucose monitoring platforms that provide real-time feedback and dietary tracking. By interpreting this data, pharmacists can advise patients on insulin adjustments, nutritional choices and lifestyle modifications. In mental health care, digital therapeutics offering cognitive behavioral therapy modules can be monitored by pharmacists to assess progress and identify when referral to a specialist is necessary. The expanding role of pharmacists also includes ensuring that patients are digitally literate enough to navigate these platforms effectively. Digital therapeutics can sometimes face challenges related to user engagement, technological barriers and privacy concerns. Pharmacists can proactively troubleshoot these issues, ensure ethical use and promote long-term engagement. By addressing both the clinical and practical dimensions of DTx usage, pharmacists make these tools more accessible and meaningful to patients, especially those who may not be technologically adept. Their hands-on support demystifies the technology and humanizes the digital therapeutic experience [4].

Beyond individual patient interactions, pharmacists are also contributing to broader system-level integration of digital therapeutics. In community pharmacies, DTx tools can be embedded into routine services such as medication reviews or chronic disease clinics. Pharmacists can flag eligible patients for DTx based on diagnosis, treatment goals, or adherence patterns and initiate onboarding processes. Additionally, pharmacists can work with payers and healthcare systems to advocate for the reimbursement of clinically validated digital therapeutics, ensuring equitable access. As pharmacy chains and health systems adopt digital formularies, pharmacists may be tasked with evaluating which DTx products are suitable for their patient populations, based on clinical efficacy, usability and compatibility with existing workflows. In hospital and ambulatory settings, pharmacists may serve on digital health steering committees or quality improvement teams, providing insights into how DTx can be integrated into care pathways. Their pharmacovigilance skills are also transferable to digital therapies, allowing for structured monitoring of side effects or unintended outcomes. In these ways, pharmacists are not just implementers of digital therapeutics but strategic contributors to their effective, safe and sustainable use [5].

Conclusion

Digital therapeutics are reshaping the way healthcare is delivered and expanding the pharmacistâ??s role from medication expert to digital health facilitator. As these tools become more integrated into clinical care, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to guide patients, interpret data and collaborate with providers in optimizing digital and pharmacologic therapies alike. Their ability to translate technology into actionable health strategies is critical in ensuring digital therapeutics is safe, effective and accessible. With the right training, infrastructure and policy support, pharmacists can become central figures in this digital transformation-advancing both the science of pharmacy and the promise of patient-centered, tech-enabled care.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest by author.

References

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