Systems for large-volume subcutaneous drug administration
Abstract:
Background: Although syringe preparation for large-volume (>3 mL) subcutaneous (SC) drugs represents a significant workflow burden for pharmacists, their preferences for alternatives such as on-body delivery systems (OBDSs) are unexplored.
Objective: To evaluate pharmacists’ preferences for preparing OBDSs vs. syringes.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, pharmacists in US academic or community settings with experience preparing SC daratumumab/hyaluronidase (HYAL), rituximab/HYAL, pertuzumab/trastuzumab/HYAL, and/or efgartigimod/HYAL completed a double-blinded, 21-item, online survey that included questions about preferences regarding the preparation of prefilled syringes versus an OBDS.
Results: Thirty pharmacists completed the survey. 100% responded that the OBDS appeared to be easy to prepare and easy to learn how to prepare and preferred it to syringe preparation. In response to a preparation scenario without reduced warming time that included preparation specifics, 86.67% preferred OBDS preparation to the syringe used to administer daratumumab/HYAL due to (1) time required to prepare the drug, (2) effort required to prepare the drug, and (3) optionality in drug preparation location. 29 pharmacists (96.67%) felt that the OBDS would reduce burden, 30 (100%) felt that it would improve efficiency, and 27 (90%) felt that it would reduce preparation errors. 22 pharmacists (73.33%) felt that the OBDS could provide optionality since it can be prepared outside of the pharmacy, and 100% felt that OBDS preparation would eliminate needlestick injuries.
Conclusion: Pharmacists reported that an OBDS would be easy to prepare and to learn how to prepare and would improve pharmacy efficiency and safety compared with syringes used for large-volume SC drug administration.
Reference:
Desai M, Blewett M, Yaniv A, Smith A, Patel P, Loughran C, Rahman O. Evaluating pharmacist preferences: Preparation of a novel on-body delivery system vs. high-resistance, manual syringes for large-volume subcutaneous drugs. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2025 Mar 13:10781552251326574. doi: 10.1177/10781552251326574. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40080876.