Should Medical Apps Be Regulated?

maximus1 writes "There's a tidal wave of medical-related apps coming to smartphones and tablets that will be used by doctors and patients alike. But how should the medical establishment deal with them? Neurologist Steven Levine, currently working on an app for stroke victims, thinks they should be treated like new medicines: developed using scientific peer review and subject to regulation by the government or professional associations. Obstetrician Kurian Thott, developer of an app called iRounds that helps communication between doctors, thinks they should be released quickly and the market should decide which take off. What do you think?"

Comments

FDA

[RobFrontier]

Speaking as someone who works as a mobility specialist in the medical products industry, the FDA already issues guidance in this area. It won't be long before the guidance turns into regulation.

In a word: yes.

[Samantha Wright]

Yes, they absolutely should; for the consumer, to prevent abominations like this. I would say that anything more interactive than a reference document or log book. For more real medical software (i.e. patient monitors or diagnostic tools), just because it's on a smartphone and not a dedicated box doesn't mean it suddenly stops being a medical tool.