In particular, the overall annual cost (to the payers, patients and pharma companies) in the US alone of non-compliance is estimated at $180bn. Now think what this could be on a global scale…
Compliance and adherence is the hot issue at the moment. It has been the big issue since 2009 when ANSI/AAMI HE75:2009 was published and with these figures it will continue to be one of the big issues impacting on medical device design. As insurance companies and healthcare providers realise that this lack of compliance is costing them money they will quite rightly push back on the industry to demand that something is done about it. Although technology and device design can’t solve the problem, turning user understanding and empathy into good design and safe/simple interfaces can play an important part (alongside better IFUs, patient support, device training, etc, etc).
This need to improve compliance is one of the trends behind the introduction of electronics in drug delivery devices. Not just injector pens, pumps and autoinjectors, but also all other delivery routes. Electronics aren’t the silver bullet and they aren’t appropriate in all cases but in my presentation I highlight a few opportunities where they could have a positive impact on improving usability and compliance (as well as anti-counterfeiting).
Hopefully I’ll see you next week. But if you can’t make it and would like to know more about my presentation I’d be delighted to hear from you.
