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Pathways to Effective Compliance: Self-Injecting Devices

Injection systems for self administration, in particular pens market, is increasing considerably compared to syringes and vials

The need for self-injecting devices is gaining more popularity for the treatment of diabetes as well as for other therapeutic segments like osteoporosis (parathyroid hormone), anaemia, hepatitis, hormone therapies (human growth hormone), infertility (follicle stimulating hormone), rheumatoid arthritis, thrombosis and growth disorders. These therapies often require dosage based on the body weight or where dose titration is required from time to time. These are used for frequent injections everyday or sometimes more than once daily repeated, until the cartridge is empty.

Injection systems for self administration, in particular pens market, is increasing considerably compared to syringes and vials. These self-injecting devices look like a larger pen and inside them cartridge is used, instead of a vial. Some pens use replaceable cartridge and some pens use a non-replaceable cartridge. All pens use replaceable needles from 29 G-31 gauge and 6mm, 8mm, 10 mm, 12mm. These needles are sterile and can be used only once. These needles are available in different lengths and cannula diameter depending on the individual body mass index. The repeat use of these needles may impact the safety of needle, can cause bruising and lacerations and even lead to bleeding at the site of injection.

Ypsomed, a Switzerland-based company, manufactures customised reusable and disposable pens as well as clickfine and penfine needles that fit in almost all the pens available in the market.

The use of these devices requires training so that the patient can use it effectively without any difficulty in handling. The doctor recommends the use of this self-administration device depending upon the individual requirement. The prescription varies as per the body weight and specific need of each patient. The benchmark for this self-injecting device is correct and precise dosage, ease of use, convenience to carry. These devices are getting increasingly popular because they make a big contribution to ensuring therapeutic success whilst at the same time improving the patient's quality of life. Injection pens are simple to use, less painful and psychologically better accepted than traditional syringes. Straightforward, user-friendly appliances facilitate correct handling by patients, which in turn results in higher success rates.

Different disease or disorders have different needs, therefore these devices are available in customised designs keeping in mind a specific segment of patient. The demand for self injection system is expanding very fast. In today's time, patients and healthcare professionals are well informed and demand for effective drugs as well as easy- to-handle drug delivery system. Availability of these devices has reduced the dependence of patients on healthcare professionals. This saves time of patients and their families and lead to better compliance, as well as reduce the cost of treatment in the long term. What patient demand is lifestyle flexibility, convenience and enhance comfort and what healthcare professionals need is reliable, accurate device, better patient compliance and success of therapy. These pens and auto injectors with technological expertise like Ypsomed are bound to lead the future.