Catalyst Healthcare

Catalyst Healthcare, prior to its acquisition by Custom Health in January 2022, operated as a health technology firm in the United States and Canada, founded and run by a pharmacist. The company’s core offering was the AdhereNet® platform, a proprietary system designed to link pharmacists, patients, and healthcare teams to improve medication adherence. This platform facilitated remote monitoring and managed the complexities of drug regimens through a suite of connected technologies that collected, shared, and correlated data in real-time.

Established in 2007, Catalyst initially focused on the long-term care sector with its oneMAR electronic medication administration record, which integrated data from pharmacy systems and packaging automation. Addressing the financial and logistical barriers that prevented pharmacies from adopting automation, the company developed a central fill model to facilitate the cost-effective preparation of multi-dose adherence packaging. This strategic move established widespread access to adherence packaging across its North American markets.

In 2017, the company expanded its ecosystem by launching spencer, an in-home medication dispenser. This device connected high-risk patients in home-care settings with their multidisciplinary care teams. Spencer, a toaster-sized, computer-controlled machine, dispensed personalized pill packs prepared by participating pharmacists. Beyond dispensing, it served as a connected health hub, monitoring medication intake and transmitting that data to the pharmacy. The device also engaged patients by asking questions to gather patient-reported outcomes, connected with Bluetooth-enabled medical devices, and featured a built-in camera for telehealth consultations. The business model for spencer involved an approximate annual cost of $1,000, though some partner pharmacies offered it at no additional charge to patients with multiple prescriptions. The entire system, including the spencerAssist™ mobile app for caregivers and the spencerCare™ portal for clinicians, integrated with the AdhereNet™ platform, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of a patient's health and medication adherence.

Keywords: medication adherence, health technology, AdhereNet, remote patient monitoring, pharmacy automation, electronic medication administration record, oneMAR, spencer medication dispenser, telehealth, population health management, central fill pharmacy, multi-dose packaging, connected health, home care technology, patient engagement, care team coordination, real-time health data, chronic condition management, digital health tools