Compliance award winner: Novo Nordisk for Novo Pen 4
Novo Nordisk has made continuous improvements in its “throw-away” pen for treatment of diabetes. The pen was first launched in 1985. In France, 90% of diabetics prefer a disposable pen. In the U.S., both prefilled syringes and vials are common.
The fourth-generation Novo Pen 4 is available in two colors. NovoPen®4 is a reusable insulin delivery device from Novo Nordisk A/s, and is used by people with diabetes who are on insulin therapy. NovoPen® 4 offers confident dose setting and a better dose legibility, thanks to a larger, easy-to-read scale as compared to the older-generation pen NovoPen®3.
The selection of the dose is made safe by a voluntary action of the patient who turns the dose selector to set the desired dose. In case a wrong dose is selected, a patient can change the selected dose on a NovoPen® 4 by turning the dose button in either direction without wasting insulin. Moreover, the delivery of insulin is better controlled since less force is needed for the injection.
Patient convenience is also improved by an audible end-of-dose click for improved patient convenience. Lastly, the piston rod on NovoPen® 4 can be easily returned just by pressing the piston head with the finger tip.
Security award (for safe use): Aguettant Labs for a plastic, prefilled, ready-to-use syringe
Five years in development, this prefilled syringe employs bulk-manufacturing practices to deliver a cost-effective solution that reduces risk of contamination errors and injury. Particularly suited for emergency rooms where every second counts, this pen delivers ephedrine while providing emergency room personal safety. A patented-design plunger allows for full sterilization, and a tamper-evident indicator must be quickly removed before use. Comes in an easy-to-open sterile blister from Oliver-Tolas .
Medical device award: Coloplast Labs for Conveen Optima
A medical device for the 700,000 men in France who suffer from incontinence, Conveen Optima was designed after careful study of other men's products, including health/beauty packaging and automobiles.The convenient, “fits-in-your-pocket” package is discreet and offers color coding for various sizes, looking more like a mint dispenser than a medical device. This redesign reduced the size of the product package by 75%.
Veterinary medicine award: Virbac Co. for Milteforan
Milteforan is used to treat canine leishmaniasis, a fatal parasitic disease transferred by biting flies found mostly in warmer, Mediterranean countries. Previous treatment by a vet in a clinic involved two to three visits per week for at least a month. With this package, the drug can now be administered by the pet owner. The package includes three sizes for various breeds, with one adapter that stays on the bottle for the length of the treatment. The drug has been made viscous and can be added safely to food, rather than stressing the pet and endangering the owner with an oral-dose method.
The Pharmapack Awards were created in 1997 and are “designed to underscore the innovative drive of packaging professionals: drugs, medical devices, health products and veterinary drugs. The prizes are awarded to innovative packaging that significantly contributes to proper drug use and compliance,” according to the international exhibition and conference's Web site.
(Author's note: Information is as accurate as possible through French-to-English translation headphones at the conference.)
Novo Nordisk has made continuous improvements in its “throw-away” pen for treatment of diabetes. The pen was first launched in 1985. In France, 90% of diabetics prefer a disposable pen. In the U.S., both prefilled syringes and vials are common.
The fourth-generation Novo Pen 4 is available in two colors. NovoPen®4 is a reusable insulin delivery device from Novo Nordisk A/s, and is used by people with diabetes who are on insulin therapy. NovoPen® 4 offers confident dose setting and a better dose legibility, thanks to a larger, easy-to-read scale as compared to the older-generation pen NovoPen®3.
The selection of the dose is made safe by a voluntary action of the patient who turns the dose selector to set the desired dose. In case a wrong dose is selected, a patient can change the selected dose on a NovoPen® 4 by turning the dose button in either direction without wasting insulin. Moreover, the delivery of insulin is better controlled since less force is needed for the injection.
Patient convenience is also improved by an audible end-of-dose click for improved patient convenience. Lastly, the piston rod on NovoPen® 4 can be easily returned just by pressing the piston head with the finger tip.
Security award (for safe use): Aguettant Labs for a plastic, prefilled, ready-to-use syringe
Five years in development, this prefilled syringe employs bulk-manufacturing practices to deliver a cost-effective solution that reduces risk of contamination errors and injury. Particularly suited for emergency rooms where every second counts, this pen delivers ephedrine while providing emergency room personal safety. A patented-design plunger allows for full sterilization, and a tamper-evident indicator must be quickly removed before use. Comes in an easy-to-open sterile blister from Oliver-Tolas .
Medical device award: Coloplast Labs for Conveen Optima
A medical device for the 700,000 men in France who suffer from incontinence, Conveen Optima was designed after careful study of other men's products, including health/beauty packaging and automobiles.The convenient, “fits-in-your-pocket” package is discreet and offers color coding for various sizes, looking more like a mint dispenser than a medical device. This redesign reduced the size of the product package by 75%.
Veterinary medicine award: Virbac Co. for Milteforan
Milteforan is used to treat canine leishmaniasis, a fatal parasitic disease transferred by biting flies found mostly in warmer, Mediterranean countries. Previous treatment by a vet in a clinic involved two to three visits per week for at least a month. With this package, the drug can now be administered by the pet owner. The package includes three sizes for various breeds, with one adapter that stays on the bottle for the length of the treatment. The drug has been made viscous and can be added safely to food, rather than stressing the pet and endangering the owner with an oral-dose method.
The Pharmapack Awards were created in 1997 and are “designed to underscore the innovative drive of packaging professionals: drugs, medical devices, health products and veterinary drugs. The prizes are awarded to innovative packaging that significantly contributes to proper drug use and compliance,” according to the international exhibition and conference's Web site.
(Author's note: Information is as accurate as possible through French-to-English translation headphones at the conference.)
