Apple hires Jason Oberfest, former CEO of Mango Health

Mango Health is a popular app that helps people to track their medications.

(FILE Photo) Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks about the Apple Watch Series 4 at the Steve Jobs Theater. (AP)

Apple has hired Jason Oberfest, former CEO of Mango Health, to reportedly help its users adhere to prescription instructions and build on the ambition to gain a bigger share of the global health care market.

"Oberfest will look into opportunities for Apple in the medication adherence space, meaning helping people take their medicines on time," CNBC reported on Friday.

When people don't take their medicines, that costs the US healthcare system between $100 and $289 billion a year.

For that reason, a lot of start-ups are focusing on finding ways to help people adhere to their prescriptions, the report said.

"It is also possible that Oberfest's experience would fit into Apple's existing initiatives including its Apple Watch which is focused on behaviour change, and its health software services like HealthKit and ResearchKit," added the report.

Apple, which has increased efforts in the global health care space, declined to comment on the development.