WASHINGTON (AP) - The Food and Drug Administration is taking the first steps toward regulating the rapidly expanding field of
medical applications, or apps, for smart phones and other handheld
devices.
With the rise of the iPhone, Android and other mobile devices
has come a flood of applications designed to help people stay
healthy. Industry analysts estimate there are already more than
17,000 medical applications available, ranging from calorie
counters to programs that let doctors view medical scans on their
phones.
The FDA says it will begin regulating a handful of these
programs that pose the greatest risk if they don't work
appropriately.
In a draft proposal, the agency says it will regulate
applications that combine with medical devices already regulated by
the agency, such as heart monitors that transmit to a smartphone.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)