This relates to software only products. Any device which provides hardware will not be able to be fast tracked. Most traditional physiological measurements eg ecg, blood pressure, temperature, blood sugars require hardware. Also all those traditional measurements have their own standards for clinical trials which must be performed and then reviewed by fda. No shortcuts there.
The software only apps in this article would refer more new health measurements which are not used by doctors but consumers may find interesting e. g. stress measurements or heart health measurements. The companies in question are currently running fowl of fda because they are claiming health measurements without going through fda review. They have been forced to put disclaimers on these apps to say they are not to be relied upon as medical devices, but this is not ideal from the FDA and app developers perspective.
So short answer is that GMV will continue to have a niche here as the medical practitioners and all treatment guidelines use the traditional physiological parameters to diagnose and treat patients. Whilst consumers will find new medical apps of interest and some use, the medical fraternity is very conservative and will not change treatment guidelines without mass clinical intervention trials over many, many years.
GMV Price at posting:
41.5¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
