Patients, Physicians Support Transdermal Drug Delivery

A new end-user survey of more than 220 physicians and 650 patients by Frost & Sullivan, the Drug Delivery Technology: End-User Preferences, Utilization and Perceptions analysis, finds that regardless of disease area, physicians select drug delivery methods that drive consistent patient compliance and effective outcomes. The survey traces usage patterns, analyzes preferences and opportunities among physicians and patients, and assesses their willingness to switch therapies based on the drug delivery method.

Among the 15 drug delivery systems surveyed by Frost & Sullivan, physicians prefer topical delivery, either as a transdermal patch or topical gel/cream, and expressed willingness to switch their current mode of therapy to one available in these forms.

The route of administration and drug delivery technology has a huge bearing on the adoption of, and compliance with, new as well as existing drugs. Among the surveyed physicians, only a quarter were considered early adopters of new drug delivery forms. Accordingly, manufacturers must listen to actual selection criteria and level of satisfaction data collected from end-users to find commercial success among medical practitioners.

 “When selecting the optimal drug delivery method, reimbursement incentives for improving adherence and impact on formulary decisions are proven to be important factors,” noted Frost & Sullivan Life Sciences Senior Industry Analyst Deborah Toscano. “Drug development pipelines are full of innovative drugs and biologics, and differentiation is increasingly important in this crowded market to gain and maintain market share.”

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