[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government is promoting measures to use smartphone applications, games, and virtual reality (VR) software as treatments for mental illnesses.
The National Center for Mental Health under the Ministry of Health and Welfare signed a business agreement on the 4th with healthcare startup Welt to introduce digital therapeutics related to mental health in Korea. Digital therapeutics refer to software programs based on scientific evidence aimed at disease prevention, management, or treatment.
The addiction treatment app "ReSet," developed by the U.S. company Pear Therapeutics, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a software therapeutic in 2017, and treatments for opioid addiction and insomnia have been launched. According to this agreement, products for substance use disorders, which are expected to have high demand domestically and have secured safety and efficacy, will be introduced on a trial basis. Additionally, medical consultation and academic exchanges related to digital therapeutics will be cooperated on.
Lee Young-moon, director of the National Center for Mental Health, said, "In the post-COVID era, demand for non-face-to-face treatment and health management methods is increasing compared to traditional face-to-face methods." Kang Sung-ji, CEO of Welt, said, "The development of digital healthcare technology and market entry are accelerating worldwide," adding, "A significant number of digital therapeutics are being developed and launched targeting mental illnesses," and "We will strive to help address the unmet needs in mental health."
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