Drug Delivery Insights: Injectable Drugs

Innovation in parenteral drug delivery often comes from the device itself to enable ease of use and greater patient compliance. Several recent developments in parenteral drug delivery involve thin-wall needles for prefilled syringes, an auto-injector with audio and visual functionality, and an improved self-injection system.

Prefilled syringes

In late July, BD Medical, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), launched the BD Hyflow needle, a 27-gauge thin-wall needle designed for use with BD’s prefillable syringe systems. The optimized inner diameter of the BD Hyflow needle enables injection of highly viscous drug formulations without the use of a larger needle that could be more painful for the patient, according to the company.

The BD Hyflow needle increases flow to facilitate use with auto-injectors and infusors. The new needle technology also reduces the pressure required to inject, a crucial attribute for patients with dexterity limitations and facilitates patient use and compliance. The needle technology represents an alternative to larger needle-gauge systems. BD says the product is one of several the company plans to launch over the next 18 months to enhance the performance of prefilled-syringe systems.

Auto-injector with audio and visual functionality