“We want to care for patients even more comprehensively while also keeping current challenges within the healthcare system in mind. That is why, for several years now, we have been expanding our strong core pharmaceutical business with developments in the field of digital health solutions,” explains Dr. med. Katja Pütter-Ammer, Managing Partner of MEDICE, describing the strategy of the family-run company. “For us, it is important not only what happens during therapy sessions, but also that we provide doctors, therapists and patients with the best possible support in the time between sessions and before therapy begins,” adds Dr. med. Dr. oec. Richard Ammer, who runs the family business together with his wife, Katja Pütter-Ammer.
Digital Health Applications (DiGAs) mark a milestone in the digital transformation of healthcare. They offer individualized therapies that are available at any time, help reduce gaps in care and strengthen patient autonomy, regardless of location or time. Since their introduction, Digital Health Applications have become established in patient care in many places, both nationally and internationally. After initial scepticism, acceptance among healthcare professionals and patients has now increased significantly. Digital Health Applications are becoming increasingly important, particularly in the field of mental health indications. For these conditions in particular, DiGAs offer a promising approach by supporting treatment digitally. Various psychotherapeutic approaches, such as elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches or behavioural training, can be excellently integrated into existing treatment offerings through a DiGA.
“Today, Selfapy already accounts for 20% of all permanently listed DiGAs in the field of mental health. Through the merger with MEDICE and its strong presence among doctors and psychotherapists, we can now work even more specifically towards realising our vision that no one with a mental health disorder should have to wait for help. Together, we want to take digital care to a new level and thereby reach even more people more quickly and effectively,” says Selfapy Managing Director and CEO Adham Kassab.
Founded in 2016 by Nora Blum, Katrin Bermbach and Farina Schurzfeld, Selfapy is therefore an ideal fit for the strategy of the MEDICE Health Family, which aims to address not only the needs of doctors and therapists, but also those of patients through digital interventions.
Selfapy’s CE-certified medical devices offer flexible and rapidly accessible online therapy programmes for people with mental health disorders such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and chronic pain. The online therapy programmes are available as apps on smartphones or tablets and can be prescribed by doctors or psychotherapists. The costs are covered by all statutory health insurance providers in Germany. Developed by clinical psychologists, the programmes provide efficient, guideline-compliant and non-pharmacological therapy with proven effectiveness.
Mental health disorders among adults are playing an increasingly important role in healthcare policy.
“According to health insurance providers, sick leave in companies due to burnout, depression or anxiety disorders increases by more than 20% every year. With Selfapy’s competencies, we want to offer effective solutions for this area,” emphasizes Dr. Felix Lambrecht, Managing Director of Medigital, who is responsible for MEDICE’s integrated approach.
The number of diagnoses in the field of child and adolescent medicine has increased even further since the pandemic. “For children and adolescents with ADHD, MEDICE has already submitted products for approval through its own subsidiary, Medigital,” says Lambrecht.
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