As the industry is looking at ways to deliver larger volumes and viscous drugs in order that drugs can be given less frequently, innovation in devices is going to be key. At the sophisticated end of the spectrum, Sanofi, for example, recently launched the first talking injection device for the emergency delivery of epinephrine during anaphylaxis. The diabetes pump market also has a number of sophisticated devices which are gaining wide acceptance by diabetics. They deliver insulin in a steady stream, a profile which more closely resembles the pancreas, rather than a series of individual bolus doses which the patient gets when delivering from a pen injector or syringe. However, the spring driven auto-injector still has increasing usage for its usability, reliability, simplicity and cost benefit. Indeed, simplified devices which offer the patient ease-of-use and needle safety are also increasingly important, especially in cost-sensitive applications. In particular, needle safety features will reduce the chances of transmission of blood-borne diseases through needle-stick injury.
