US Leads the Way for Drug Device Innovation but Lags Behind for Sustainability, Notes Pharmapack 2021 Report

The organizers of Pharmapack Europe, the region’s drug delivery and packaging show that will be held as a hybrid event in 2021, have released the results of its global drug delivery and packaging survey, demonstrating the continuation of the United States’ lead in innovation.

Within the report, which can be downloaded from the Pharmapack website, are details of the Innovation Index—a market perception measure of each country’s drug delivery and device innovation. The 2021 index shows that the US is in the lead for innovation ranked at 8.26 out of 10, with Germany and Japan ranked as the second and third most innovative countries, respectively. India gained the biggest difference in its score versus 2020 in terms of innovation.

“There has indeed been a lot of activity and interest from Indian and Chinese organizations focused on developing lookalike models of existing European or US devices, including DPIs [dry particle inhalers] and soft mist inhalers,” said Andy Fry, founder, Team Consulting, in a Sep. 16, 2021 press release. “Such developments could well morph into completely new devices.”

Additionally, in the 2021 report, Pharmapack launched its inaugural Sustainability Index, which is a measure of how far long each country is towards achieving optimal sustainability for devices and packaging. European nations were top of the list for sustainability with Switzerland achieving the number one spot. For sustainability, the US was ranked as lower than all the European countries, and China and India were ranked poorly by the executives who participated in the survey.

The 2021 event returns after an 18-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The hybrid program starts on September 27, 2021 with online content and networking, which runs through until October 22, 2021. The in-person event will be taking place at the Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles on October 13–14, 2021.

“We are incredibly eager to welcome back the pharma packaging, drug delivery, and devices community after a year in which pharma’s innovation has never been more prescient,” said Sherma Ellis-Daal, brand manager for Pharmapack Europe, in the press release. “Yet, our research also shows the pandemic has accelerated a number of important existing trends in terms of connected devices, sustainable supply chains and remote patient administration. What’s exciting is that that with Pharmapack returning, we can provide the vital connections the industry relies upon to drive forward innovations and supply chains in 2022 and beyond.”

Source: Pharmapack