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A ‘digital pill’ for cancer patients is rolled out for the first time, in hopes of improving outcomes

A Silicon Valley company has rolled out chemotherapy pills packaged with a sensor that can alert physicians or others when they have been swallowed.

SAN FRANCISCO — A Silicon Valley company on Thursday announced what it described as the first “digital pill” program of its kind, one in which the chemotherapy pills taken by cancer patients are packaged with a sensor that can alert a physician, pharmacist, or caregiver after it has been swallowed.

Seven patients — all of whom have colorectal cancer in stage 3 or stage 4 and are being treated in Minnesota — have been provided with the treatment since September, according to Proteus Digital Health. The idea is that, by tracking when patients take their drugs, health care providers will be better able to ensure medication adherence and to provide treatment guidance, with the goal

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