The Next Generation Drug Delivery Devices

An exciting trend in drug delivery is underway: the movement toward smaller, smarter, wirelessly connected electronic devices that allow patient-administered therapy. Inspired by the technological advancements driving the consumer electronics market, new methods for drug delivery show great promise for all stakeholders. Patients wishing to claim more autonomy over their drug regimens, caregivers and medical professionals wanting to more closely monitor drug compliance, health insurance organizations looking to keep costs down, and developers of pharmaceutical products interested in conducting better managed clinical trials can all benefit from these novel, next-generation technologies.

Smart Drug Delivery, Defined 

Smart technology, as illustrated by the ubiquitous smartphone, refers generally to devices that feature complex but small electronics, high functionality, embedded software, wireless connectivity, and intuitive user interfaces that include graphics, LEDs, and buttons. When applied specifically to such drug-delivery devices as inhalers and medication-delivery pens, however, “smart” describes an evolution from purely mechanical operation to electromechanical operation.