The FDA approved Adherium’s Smartinhale sensor — a device used in a patient’s inhaler to promote and monitor patient self-management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medication — for over-the-counter sales.

The sensor was cleared for use in AstraZeneca’s Symbicort aerosol asthma inhaler. It automatically records the date and time the inhaler is used and sends the information to an app on the patient’s phone or tablet.

The device stores the history of patient medication usage patterns which allows physicians to review and help make decisions based on evidence. The sensor features three buttons that allow the patient to access audio-visual reminders, battery monitoring and Bluetooth capability.