Abstract

NEEDLE FREE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: AN UPDATE OF UPCOMING EVOLUTION

Balagani Pavan Kumar* and M.Sindhuri

ABSTRACT

Needle-free injection systems are novel ways to introduce various medicines into patients without piercing the skin with a conventional needle. These systems offer benefit of reducing patient concern about the use of needle. While hypodermic needles were first introduced during the 1800s, needle-free systems are relatively recent inventions. They can take the form of power sprays, edible products, inhalers, and skin patches. Needle-free systems are designed to solve these problems making them safer, less expensive, and more convenient. Additional benefits include very fast injection compared with conventional needles and no needle disposal issues. Moreover, this system works by forcing liquid medication at high speed through a tiny orifice that is held against the skin. This creates an ultrafine stream of high pressure fluid that penetrates the skin without the use of a needle thus faster administration of drug compared to conventional needles. Its low cost provides benefits to patients and health professionals. Not only it can benefit the pharmaceutical industry in increasing product sales, it has the added potential to increase compliance with dosage regimens and improved outcomes. It is anticipated that these systems will increase the incidence of vaccination and reduce the amount of prescribed antibiotics. Moreover, they should reduce the number of needle stick accidents that have resulted in some health care workers contracting diseases. Today, they are a steadily developing technology that promises to make the administration of medicine more efficient and less painful. There appears to be tremendous opportunity for needle-free technology to have major impact in the industry. It is likely that dramatic change may occur only when a large pharmaceutical or biotechnology company adopts needle free technology and demonstrates it as needle free injections which are well being supported by organizations like WHO and CDC (Centre for Disease Control). Companies are still working on producing devices that are safer and easier to use. They are also working on alternatives which can deliver even more types of medicines.

Keywords: Needle Free injection, power sprays, inhalers, Powder jet, Bioject, WHO, CDC.