Report reveals more investment in digital apps, but slower uptake

A new report into the use of digital technology by the pharmaceutical industry details increased production of mobile apps, but stagnation in the growth of app downloads.

The document, produced by market intelligence firm Deloitte, includes some primary research on apps developed by 12 major pharma companies and a survey of 190 patient groups for their views on the use of health apps in general, and those developed by pharma.

It finds that, over the past four years, the top 12 pharma companies have more than trebled the number of mobile apps they have commissioned, from 305 in 2013 to 1,060 in early 2017.