More than two-thirds of patients say they would be willing to self-inject medication – if their healthcare provider recommended it. And yet most providers expect patients to feel anxious about the idea of self-injection. This disconnect could be holding back the broader adoption of self-injectable therapies and on-body delivery systems (OBDS) – even as these technologies promise greater autonomy, improved adherence, and better outcomes for people with chronic conditions.
A global survey commissioned by West Pharmaceutical Services reveals a growing appetite among both patients and healthcare professionals for innovative drug delivery options that prioritize convenience, independence, and continuity of care outside the clinic. But the data also expose misalignments that could hinder uptake: patients are more concerned about side effects than their physicians realize, and fewer than one in three healthcare professionals believe patients have the information they need to feel confident using these devices on their own.
So what will it take to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world use? Here, I speak with West’s Anya Harry and Sanjeev Seenath to unpack the findings from the research.
Meet the Experts
What were the goals of this survey?
Just two years ago, we celebrated our centennial anniversary. Our role in healthcare dates to our partnership with Eli Lilly when we helped solve the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US government during World War II. It’s an innovation that saved many soldiers’ lives and has impacted billions of patients’ lives since that time, including the delivery of the vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we embark on our next 100 years, the need for innovation is just as critical. Healthcare is becoming increasingly more sophisticated, with more complex and sensitive drugs, new technology, connected devices, and a shift to more combination products and home administration.
To fully realize the benefits of these advances for patients, we wanted to better understand the opportunities and obstacles to their adoption – for users and prescribers. With the help of our physician-led Science Technology Advice and Review (STAR) Panel, we sponsored a survey, with the goal of providing more insight into how patients and healthcare providers perceive and consider using patient-administered medicines to manage chronic conditions, specifically self-administered injectables and on-body delivery systems.
The survey polled 587 health care providers (HCPs) and 2,000 adult patients in the US, UK, France, and Germany. The study covered several key areas, including openness to using self-injectables and OBDS, concerns, and the resources needed to increase patient confidence. Additionally, the survey explored opportunities to leverage consumer technology and wearable devices to facilitate information sharing between patients and HCPs.
What were the most surprising findings?
The survey revealed that 70% of patients are likely to use a self-injectable medicine if recommended by their HCP. Interestingly, while 91% of HCPs expect their patients to feel anxious over self-injecting, only 61% of patients cite anxiety about self-injection as a top concern.
However, 60% of patients worry about side effects, while only 41% of HCPs share this concern. Even though HCPs are enthusiastic about next-generation drug delivery, they are not fully aware of patients’ concerns and the critical role they would need to play in getting patients comfortable with self-injectable drug-delivery options.
This disconnect between patients and HCPs could significantly impede the adoption of self-administered prescription injectable drugs – even though these drug-delivery options could improve patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment regimens and overall quality of life. Addressing patients’ concerns through tailored educational resources and offering in-person training will be critical.
Drug developers, device makers and HCPs need to understand these differing viewpoints to better work together so that these innovative solutions can change patients’ lives in a meaningful manner.
What innovation has been seen in self-administered, injectable drug delivery devices in recent years?
Recent innovations in self-administered injectable devices have focused on improving patient convenience, comfort, and adherence with user-friendly design. Other innovations include:
Smart and connectable injectors. Tracking usage, volume delivered, dose reminders and data sharing with HCPs can be enabled through connection with apps or a cloud-based location. Such smart injectors can be used for management of chronic disease, as well as emergency situations and may support remote patient monitoring.
Variables dosages. Devices can now deliver variable dosages or formulations, including larger volumes or higher viscosities. This agility offers manufacturers options and supports personalized medicine as well as multi-use applications.
Wearable injectors. OBDS can minimize trips to the HCP or infusion centers and deliver drugs over a prolonged period, enabling convenience and engagement.
Microneedle technology. Historically used to reduce pain and fear of needles, but more recently it has supported sensing, tissue sampling, biomarker measurement and closed-loop functions.
Patch-based systems. Adhesive patches allow for self-administration using the transdermal route of administration – seen with the delivery of nitroglycerin, nicotine, hormone replacement and fentanyl, as examples. Advantages include delivery of continuous doses over extended time and the bypass of the digestive system first-pass liver metabolism. Smart patches and biodegradable patches are more recent designs for applications such as vaccine delivery, gene therapy and insulin delivery.
Sustainability. To reduce the environmental impact of delivery devices, principles under consideration include lowering carbon footprint, prioritizing eco-friendly materials and minimizing waste by designing products for reuse or longer use.
And what about innovation milestones in on-body drug delivery systems?
Recent years have witnessed substantial advancements in OBDs. One of the most significant developments is the global commercialization of electromechanical wearable devices capable of handling large volumes and high-viscosity medications. OBDS systems foster a growing transition from intravenous to subcutaneous delivery, providing a promising pathway for a spectrum of drugs in development, as well as those currently available on the market. This shift not only broadens treatment possibilities but also enhances patient experience in chronic condition management.
There is plenty of innovation in drug delivery devices at technology companies and in academia. How challenging is it to get innovative devices commercialized and used in the real-world?
The commercialization and real-world adoption of innovative drug delivery devices presents several challenges. There is demand from patients and healthcare providers for new devices, but the regulatory environment is becoming more complex. Agencies such as the FDA and EMA must ensure device safety, efficacy and quality. For devices intended for home use or those with connectivity features for tracking and trending health data, and/or facilitating the exchange of healthcare information and interoperability, manufacturers must address ensure data can be shared consistently between different systems, and address concerns such as usability in non-clinical settings and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Data management strategies must comply with privacy regulations like HIPAA to protect patient information, and the data must also be able to be shared
Innovative devices also usually employ cutting-edge technologies, which requires significant R&D investment. Integrating new technologies, such as smart sensors or IoT capabilities, for example, presents compatibility and reliability challenges. Ensuring the device is user-friendly, particularly for patients who are not tech-savvy, is also crucial to success in the market.
Moreover, producing innovative devices at scale is a challenge. Manufacturers need to establish efficient production processes that maintain quality, while keeping costs manageable. Supply chain logistics, including the sourcing of advanced materials and components, also play a critical role in successful commercialization.
Even with advanced features, gaining market acceptance can be challenging. Devices must not only meet clinical needs but also align with patient preferences and healthcare provider practices. Effective marketing strategies, education, and training are all essential to drive adoption.
Less than 30% of providers feel patients have access to information that helps them feel confident administrating the self-injectable medicine to themselves. What more information is needed? And what can pharma companies do about this?
By offering providers with the right support and educational resources, they will feel more confident and prepared. As a drug delivery device developer, West has a role to play here. We have to work with pharma companies to evolve human factors testing and provide proper instructions and support. Comprehensive education programs are essential, targeting both HCPs and patients with detailed, easy-to-understand instructions that cover every aspect of self-injection. This can be augmented by integrating digital health tools that revolutionize patient engagement, such as mobile apps offering real-time support and virtual reality training modules simulating the injection process.
Furthermore, enhanced patient support services, such as 24/7 helplines staffed by knowledgeable HCPs, will provide immediate assistance and reassurance. Personalized educational materials that consider individual patient needs, literacy levels, and linguistic and cultural diversity ensure accessibility and relevance.
Equipping HCPs through collaborative practitioner training is equally important, empowering them to become effective educators and advocates for these technologies. Partnering with regulatory bodies to develop standardized guidelines will ensure consistency across the industry too, reinforcing trust and simplifying the adoption process.
What other concerns do patients and healthcare providers have – and what can the industry do about it?
HCPs are largely unaware of the fact that patients are worried about potential side effects from self-administered injectable medicines – and that lack of understanding on the part of providers could be a significant barrier to adoption. Anxiety, a common thread in both self-injectables and on-body delivery systems, is primarily rooted in patients' lack of experience and understanding of how these devices work.
To close the gap between HCPs and patients – and encourage the adoption of next-generation delivery devices – drug developers should continue to collaborate with providers to develop high-touch educational strategies. These initiatives should include in-person training programs, as both patients and providers find them effective for enhancing confidence in using self-administered injectables. The first interaction between a doctor and patient is key, but once patients take their devices home, additional support becomes crucial. Solutions such as providing 24/7 access to HCPs via call centers or digital platforms can offer immediate assistance, helping patients navigate any uncertainties or issues they face. Personalized educational content that considers individual needs, including language and literacy, paired with video tutorials and interactive guides, can further demystify device usage. Integrating wearable technology to monitor and share health data can also aid in tailoring personalized care, despite existing concerns about data privacy.
Addressing economic barriers by working with insurers and policymakers to ensure broader coverage and affordable pricing models is also critical – as financial constraints significantly impact adoption rates. With proper support materials provided by drug delivery device makers, HCPs can be well-equipped to alleviate patients' concerns about side effects and offer actionable advice on recognizing and reporting adverse effects.
Given the significant interest from patients and providers in self-injectables, OBDS, and wearable technologies for managing chronic conditions, industry leaders and research groups have a prime opportunity to conduct research. My final advice? Evaluating the potential of new technologies to advance healthcare access, reduce health disparities, and improve chronic disease management is essential. Documenting their impact will be a pivotal step toward broader adoption and better optimization for patients.
Learn more about the survey here
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