Piktorex
Overview: The company has been working on solving the problem of incorrect dosing of medications (compliance problem) which is a major factor contributing to multiple complications and growth of patient treatment costs. Pilot studies carried out by the author of the project – Dr Piotr Merks showed that 21% of patients were not provided with any information on dosing of medications while as many as 52% lost the instructions with therapeutic indications. Dr Merks is an expert known in Poland and abroad, specializing in the field of pharmaceutical care, having gained over 16 years of experience in the worldwide sector (including Australia and Canada). The objective of the company is to launch medical stickers in the form of pictograms to ensure that full benefits from the therapy are obtained and thus patients’ life quality improves. Additionally, the project is aimed at ensuring better control and improving the effectiveness of fund spending by the National Health Fund.
Co-investor/Partner: The solution was commercialised in cooperation with Synergia – WUM Sp. z o.o., a company owned by the Medical University of Warsaw. Other partners include Medical University of Warsaw and the Dosing Form Technology Division, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
Innovation: The graphic signs (pictograms) developed by the company will contribute to the safety and effectiveness of application of medications by patients, in particular in the ‘65+’ age group. The solution is to support improved effectiveness of medication treatment and effective reduction of patient treatment costs – both by the state treatment system and by individuals.
Stage Development/Recent News: After having tested pictograms on his patients, Dr Merks is currently developing the project further. In order to move forward with the validation of the project, Dr Merks has been working with a children’s hospital in Ottawa. Moreover, the project will be assessed by the Polish Ministry of Health at the end of the year within the scope of a potential cooperation. Until now, Piktorex has already gained the patronage of International Pharmaceutical Federation, Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Polish Pharmaceutical Chamber, among others.
Black Pearls VC Partner: Maciej Skorkiewicz