NEW HYDE PARK, NY, April 20, 2021 –Patients seeking treatment for opioid and substance use disorders will now have access to an innovative FDA-authorized treatment option—prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs)— thanks to a collaboration between Northwell Health and Pear Therapeutics, Inc.
Northwell will be providing digital care to patients by offering access to Pear’s reSET® and reSET-O® PDTs through the substance abuse treatment programs offered through Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell’s stand-alone behavioral health facility.
“We are witnessing a substantial increase in substance misuse and opioid overdose death as a result of the social isolation, anxiety and stress related to COVID-19,” said Bruce Goldman, LCSW, Director, Behavioral Health at Northwell Health. “Northwell Health has successfully transformed our ambulatory substance use treatment services to a telehealth model. To augment our treatment services, we have made available to our patients this FDA-authorized prescription digital therapeutic proven to increase the retention of patients in outpatient treatment programs.”
PDTs are a new therapeutic class that uses software to directly treat disease. However, unlike traditional medicines, PDTs are designed to collect real world data for use by prescribing clinicians and for population health management.
Noting that feedback from both patients and clinicians has already been positive, Mr. Goldman added, “We are so pleased that our clinicians can now prescribe these applications to support patients on their recovery journey.”
Because substance and opioid use disorders are chronic, treatable diseases, it is imperative that patients seek out an ongoing treatment program. Staying engaged in these programs is critical for people on their recovery journey. reSET and reSET-O will give patients a discreet, 24/7, evidence-based tool to complement their remote or in-office addiction therapy provided by their therapist.
reSET and reSET-O are the first two PDTs to receive market authorization to treat disease from the FDA. Both products have been tested in real world use and randomized controlled trials, with results published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Both products, which complement outpatient counseling, provide patients with algorithm-driven cognitive behavioral therapy, fluency training, and contingency management, while therapists can access this data to inform in-office and tele-visits.
“Pear is pleased to work with Northwell to bring suitable patients the latest in evidence-based substance and opioid use treatment options,” said Julia Strandberg, Chief Commercial Officer at Pear Therapeutics. “We believe the use of prescription digital therapeutics can provide patients with innovative and convenient care through their mobile devices to complement Northwell’s ambulatory substance use treatment services.”
If you or someone you know is interested in these services you can reach Zucker Hillside Hospital Addiction Services at 718-470-4289.
About Northwell HealthNorthwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, 830 outpatient facilities and more than 16,600 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 76,000 employees – 18,900 nurses and 4,800 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We’re training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Pear Therapeutics
Pear Therapeutics is the leader in prescription digital therapeutics, or PDTs. Pear aims to redefine medicine by discovering, developing, and delivering clinically validated software-based therapeutics to provide better outcomes for patients, smarter engagement and tracking tools for clinicians, and cost-effective solutions for payers. Pear has a pipeline of products and product candidates across therapeutic areas, including the first three PDTs with disease treatment claims from FDA. Pear’s lead product, reSET®, for the treatment of substance use disorder, was the first PDT to receive marketing authorization from FDA to treat disease. Pear’s second product, reSET-O®, for the treatment of opioid use disorder, was the first PDT to receive Breakthrough Designation. Pear’s third product, Somryst® for the treatment of chronic insomnia, was the first PDT submitted through FDA’s traditional 510(k) pathway while simultaneously reviewed through FDA’s Software Precertification Pilot Program. For more information, visit Pear at www.peartherapeutics.com.
