Parenteral packaging rises to patient-compliance, brand challenges

Use of prefillable syringes is on the rise among parenteral drugmakers, thanks to their infection-prevention and response-time advantages over other hypodermic systems. Vials, meanwhile, may be migrating to the early stage of parenteral product lifecycle, from the drug company's perspective.

Pharmaceutical Commerce reports that the market momentum of prefillable syringes is accompanying the continued increase in use of plastics for the delivery of injectable drugs. It's all about convenience, a driver of patient acceptance and compliance. In addition, drugmakers are using device technologies to differentiate their brands, leading to more sophisticated parenteral devices.

Among noteworthy products: West's MixJect adapter for reconstituting a drug with a diluent prefilled syringe. Once the drug is reconstituted, the patient can inject it using a pre-attached needle. Another is Schott's InJentle syringe, which has a pinch-seal closure that prevents drug contact with the metal needle or the adhesive of the syringe during storage, preventing contamination.

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