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What Matters June: MedTech News You Need to Know

Overheard at GMM HQ

"There are two things that need a 'lift' every ten years: faces and websites. Nothing drastic, just a little polishing and streamlining so we look as fresh as we feel." – Holley Malia on Grey Matter Marketing's website revamp in honor of the agency's 10-year anniversary.


WHAT THE INDUSTRY IS BUZZING ABOUT

THESE DRUGS AREN'T GOING TO TAKE THEMSELVES

Research indicates that nearly 190 million patients in the U.S. do not adhere to their prescription medication regimen as prescribed, often resulting in higher overall costs and lower quality of life. The most likely reason for noncompliance is "behavioral issues" such as forgetfulness or procrastination. So basically the same reason you keep forgetting to take out the trash on garbage day.

YOU SELL THE SIZZLE, NOT THE STEAK

Because apparently curing life threatening ailments is not enough motivation to follow a prescribed drug regimen, the obvious question researchers are trying to answer is: what will? Low-cost tactics like pill bottle strips with daily toggles and digital timer caps didn't improve adherence in a study of over 53,000 patients, but in a different study, sending text message reminders did. Just one more reason we can't put our phones down.

THE 411

The most efficacious drugs in the world are only as effective as their users' vigilance in taking them. Figuring out how to improve patient compliance with prescription regimens is good for public health, good for the medical industry, and good for your aunt with high blood pressure.

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BYE FELICIA?

A recent survey conducted by Medical Product Manufacturing News found that 72% of respondents would consider leaving medtech for another industry. While it's unclear how many of those people are actively looking for a better option, it seems that many industry employees might view their current gig as less of a "Mr. Right," and more of a "Mr. Right Now."

POST BREAK-UP PLANS

So where would all these medtech escapees go, exactly? Citing motivating factors like finding "more interesting work" (32.67% of respondents) and "better job prospects" (23.08%), survey results indicated the fields of consulting and renewable energy were the most likely rebound options for medtech employees seeking a more compatible match.

THE 411

If you're a manager in a medtech field, this might be a good time to check in with your employees about their job satisfaction. You never know who's catcalling them when you're not around.

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REMEMBER THE GAME OPERATION?

A new device called the Flourish Pediatric Esophageal Atresia Anastomosis has received FDA approval for treatment of esophageal atresia, a birth defect in which the esophagus is not connected to the stomach due to a poorly formed esophagus. The new device uses magnets instead of surgery. Glad someone was paying attention in physics class.

A STRONGER ATTRACTION THAN IN THE NOTEBOOK

The new device is utilized by inserting catheters with magnetic tips down the throat and in through the stomach until the magnetic attraction allows the catheters to break through the esophagus's dead ends, forcing the body's own healing mechanism to form a channel creating a fully formed esophageal connection. Taking "opposites attract" to the next level.

THE 411

As the device is indicated for patients less than one year of age, an effective non-surgical option provides a valuable alternative in treating a life-threatening condition. All infants in the study had positive outcomes, although larger studies are needed.

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GOOD TO KNOW

The recent WannaCry ransomware hack revealed all kinds of scary stuff, like the fact that hacking into individual patients' connected medical devices is something "pretty much anybody can do." Be nice to your angsty teenage neighbor.





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