Apple’s Health app gets new capabilities with iOS 16. The Health app adds Medications, allowing users to conveniently build and manage a medications list, create schedules and reminders, and track their medications, vitamins, or supplements. Will it matter?

The health app will also tell users about potential interactions between medications, and it’s possible to connect with healthcare providers to see a list of past medications, get future updates, or add items to your schedule. Oh, to live in an ideal world.

There are many reasons for non-compliance and non-adherence: Cost and affordability, lack of understanding/comprehension of advice, language barriers, cognitive abilities, fear of asking for clarification, or other reasons. Mistrust or an absence of patient-provider solid relationships. The idea that an app will help overcome these issues is naive or, in Apple’s case, arrogance.

Up to 47% of US citizens say we’re “addicted” to our cell phones. Smartphones replace “dead time” and allow us to stay updated on the news and work. However, does this mean users want their smartphone to remind them to take their medications?

The problem with having your smartphone integrated with your medications is that it has to be updated by users. The other issue is ensuring that Apple’s Health app works with your doctor’s online medical records, which to date have failed to make like easier for physicians.

As much as I love Apple products, their arrogance and lack of innovation escalate them to a level of self-importance is turning off most people. An Apple “even” has turned into a yawn for most consumers. Apple is trying to make inroads in healthcare technology, but for most HCPs, it has a long way to go.