Developing pharmaceutical technology specifically tailored to patient wellbeing

In the realm of drug delivery, a paradigm shift is underway, moving away from mythical user models and towards a more grounded approach: patient-centered design. This new approach prioritizes the needs, preferences, and challenges of real patients, ensuring devices are designed with empathy and intuitive usability.

The development process for these devices should be rooted in the real world, considering the needs and limitations of diverse patient populations. Patients, caregivers, and advocates are increasingly involved in the design process, capturing authentic needs and usability challenges rather than relying on assumptions or idealized user models.

Clarity and simplicity are crucial for patients, especially those who are already anxious about self-administering injections. A single button, for instance, is often preferred over numerous choices, making the treatment more manageable. Technology can help simplify complex tasks and support adherence, but it must be optional and understandable to avoid losing trust.

AI can personalise reminders, adjust timings, and suggest better techniques, but it too must be optional and understandable. Simplicity is not the opposite of innovation; it is the highest form, hiding complexity, reducing steps, and removing decisions.

Andy Pidgeon, Head of Usability at 42 Technology, argues that many devices designed for drug delivery are not focused enough on the needs of real patients. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding repetition in device design to ensure simplicity and effectiveness for patients.

Real patients can be frail, distracted, or scared, and their priorities may not be on the drug therapy. Technology should only be added when it benefits the user, and every added feature is a potential point of failure. A smart injector that helps patients stick to their therapy without stress is a sign of real progress. On the other hand, a device that complicates a patient's routine or leaves them feeling confused or watched has failed.

Wearable injectors, such as patch-like devices, help patients avoid regular clinic visits and make a tough treatment more bearable by infusing larger volumes of viscous drugs. Platform devices offer benefits for pharmaceutical companies by saving time, reducing cost, and improving reliability, but they may lack specificity for particular patient groups or indications.

The success of a device is measured by its ability to help people take their medicine safely, confidently, and without hesitation. By embedding patient voices at every stage, focusing on usability that reflects actual conditions, and developing flexible, simple, and personalized solutions through collaborative innovation, we can create devices that truly serve the needs of real patients.

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