Otsuka Files a Supplemental Application in Japan: A Plastic Case with Anti-Stroke Medicine for a Smart Medicine Container

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. today announced the filing of a supplemental application for a plastic case containing the anti-platelet drug Pletaal (cilostazol) OD tablets 100mg to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

This plastic case is designed to form part of the 'Pletaal Assist System', a smart medicine container with Internet of Things functionality, developed in combination with the pharmaceutical expertise and technological know-how of Otsuka and NEC, respectively.

The daily use of anti-platelet drugs is critical for the prevention of stroke recurrence. However, there have been reports of treatment adherence as low as 50% within half a year of starting treatment because patients forget to take their medication or stop doing so without their physician's consultation. It is important to continue the treatment uninterrupted.

The 'Pletaal Assist System' consists of three components: a plastic case, a smart module that flashes an LED and connects to a smartphone, and a smartphone application. Together these will remind patients when to take their medicine and allow patients and caregivers to check the medication history on a smartphone.

Information in this news release was current as of the original release date.