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Blame Weight-Loss Drugs: Fear of Needles Spurs Creative Drug Delivery Alternatives
From hidden needles to the “bubble gun,” new solutions address the psychodynamics of packaging for self-injectable products.
4 Min Read
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The recent proliferation of GLP-1 medicines for weight loss has brought attention to how patients perceive packaging and drug delivery systems. Medical device designers face the challenge of creating reliable drug-delivery systems that avoid over- or under-dosing while simultaneously addressing the negative psychological associations with hypodermic needles.
Here is a look at four psychological issues related to the use of conventional needles and syringes for self-administered injection medicines — and ways to mitigate the fear.
1. Trypanophobia: The fear of hypodermic needles and syringes.
Trypanophobia, a term derived from the Greek word trypano (meaning puncturing or piercing) and phobia (meaning fear), describes the fear of needles. Hypodermic needles and syringes are iconic symbols of this fear, evoking anxiety about pain and discomfort during medical visits. Despite the familiarity many Americans have with needle punctures — receiving an average of 165 injections in their lifetime for vaccinations and bloodwork — this fear persists.
As noted by Dr. Robert H. Shmerling in Harvard Health Publishing, this widespread anxiety remains deeply ingrained in society, reinforcing the psychological barrier to using traditional syringes.
The solution: Innovative self-administered injection systems are emerging to address this issue. Many designs now cleverly ensure accurate dosing while visually concealing the needle. By moving away from the iconic syringe-and-plunger structure, these devices minimize patients’ apprehension.
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2. Societal drivers: The perception of illicit drug use.
The association of traditional syringes with illicit drug use has been another concern for users of self-administered injections, such as insulin. This negative perception often requires patients to explain their clinical necessity when seen with such devices, creating additional social stigma.
The solution: While many diabetics are comfortable using traditional needles and syringes, emerging technologies will address the psychodynamics of syringe design. Future advancements will likely focus on improving safety and ergonomics while visually differentiating clinical devices from those associated with illicit drug use.
3. Cross-contamination concern: Get a handle on it.
The fear of inadvertent needle sticks, particularly heightened during the AIDS epidemic, continues to influence patient psychology. This anxiety underscores the need for safer handling and disposal practices for needles and syringes.
The solution: Innovations in protective cap reinsertion and needle disposal mechanisms are reducing the risk of accidental needle sticks. These advancements contribute to safer usage and disposal processes, while mitigating cross-contamination concerns along the way.
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4. The waste stream: A negative ending can spoil the experience.
The psychological impact of adding disposable medical devices to the waste stream cannot be overlooked in the realm of self-administered injectable medicines. However, this concern is often balanced against the clinical efficacy, patient compliance, and safety provided by these devices.
The solution: For many, the small environmental impact of these technologies is an acceptable trade-off. But well-designed reusable drug-delivery devices could make this hurt a little less.
The future of injections addresses “likes” and “dislikes.”
The eventual elimination of needles through novel drug delivery methods is on the horizon. One promising example is the “bubble gun,” a laser-based technology that delivers tiny droplets of medication through the outer skin layer. Developed by Professor David Fernandez Rivas at Twente University in collaboration with MIT, this technology represents a step forward in needle-free injection solutions.
There is significant potential to enhance the form and function of self-administered injections, especially for patients requiring long-term injectable therapies like diabetics. Recent advancements in stealth injector designs effectively hide the needle while improving dosing accuracy. These innovations reflect the industry’s dedication to addressing both practical and psychological challenges associated with injectable medicines.
The key takeaway for medical device and packaging designers is the importance of thoroughly mapping out the experiential journey of their users while engaging with their technologies. Leading designers focus on understanding both the pain points and the preferences of their customer personas.
This approach allows them to eliminate elements that users dislike — such as fear, complexity, friction, and dysfunction — and incorporate features that users value — such as comfort, simplicity, ease of use, and predictable functionality.
By addressing these dynamics, designers can create solutions that not only meet functional requirements but also deliver an exceptional user experience.
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