The new normal: Smartphone technology and its impact on the logistics of healthcare

The challenges for lysosomal disease drug development could be attributed to the complex pathological mechanisms of the disease and the scarcity of patients for clinical trials. These challenges have been compounded by COVID-19. The impact of the global pandemic on healthcare/pharmaceutical operations has been devastating: 905 clinical trials were halted between March 1st - April 26th due to COVID-19 related disruptions. Lysosomal disease patients are a vulnerable group, and naturally may not feel comfortable with attending clinical centres during the current pandemic. This has been demonstrated in a study where lysosomal disease patients' fears of infection resulted in a reduction of their access to healthcare. Smartphone technology can address the challenges that lysosomal disease patients face in the current pandemic, through providing undisrupted and accurate insights that pertain to their physiological status, in an accommodating and safer manner. Aparito's smartphone technology platform has proven its utility in the remote monitoring/assessment of lysosomal disease patients. Continuous and longitudinal assessment of patients has contributed toward understanding the natural history of various pathologies through the generation of real-world data. The technology has been designed for lysosomal disease patients in the knowledge that patients' experiences differ (e.g. rate of disease progression; responses to therapeutic interventions; patient burden). Remote patient monitoring safeguards patients and prioritises their needs whilst supplementing the operations of clinicians. These are pertinent healthcare components that may help lysosomal disease patients overcome current challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of adaptable clinical frameworks, resulting in a heightened awareness of remote patient monitoring. The technological adaptations in the clinical sphere are here to stay, and the potential benefits of such technology for lysosomal disease patients are apparent. By placing patients in charge of their own healthcare, they can feel safe, empowered and have their treatment outcomes improved.