Pharmaceutical Technologist - July 2007 - (Page 16)

Market trends for self-injection technologies: pens and auto-injectors This article will review the development and future of self-injection technology and examine some of the key features incorporated into modern devices. Ian Thompson The market for self-injection devices, such as pens and auto-injectors, continues to show above-average growth. The surge in biotech-based research means that many more protein therapeutics are reaching the market, driving demand for injectable products as a whole. Also, the increased incidence of diseases such as diabetes and the availability of therapies for previously untreatable conditions are expanding the injectables market. The advanced features of modern-day self-injection devices are making them much more acceptable to users. If patients can self-administer their medications, then not only is it more convenient for them, it also saves on healthcare resources and costs, making self-injection much more cost effective. Pens and auto-injectors Pen injectors. These are essentially sophisticated ‘cartridge-based’ syringes. The first pens were introduced in 1984 for the reliable and accurate self-administration of the initial wave of biotech molecules, mainly insulin and human growth hormone (hGH). Today, insulin still dominates the market for self-injection devices, followed by hGH and newer therapies such as fertility treatment (folicle stimulating hormone [FSH]) and osteoporosis (parathyroid hormone [PTH]). During the 1990s, the insulin pen market became segmented with the introduction of disposable and re-usable pens incorporating improved handling functions and electronics. These therapies require frequent, often daily, manual injection with weight-based dosing or dose titration, and injections are repeated until the cartridge is empty — usually after 1–2 weeks. The drugs in the multiple-dose cartridges require the use of preservatives and individual dose volumes are typically 0.5 mL or less. Pen injector patients are accustomed to injecting themselves manually with 29–31 guage pen needles, and the need for automated needle insertion or injection traditionally has been outweighed by the patient’s desire for discreet and easy-to-use devices. Auto-injectors. Auto-injectors have been available for as long as pen injectors, but, until the 1990s, they were restricted to emergency situations, such as epinephrine for treating anaphylactic shock and sumatriptan for treating migraine. 16 July 2007 l pharmaceutical technologist

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Technologist - July 2007

Contents
Editor's Comment
News
Morpheus
Market Watch
Market Trends for Self-Injection Technologies
Special Delivery
Q&A

Pharmaceutical Technologist - July 2007