Think lateral

In the early 1970s the first nasal spray pump delivering a metered dose was introduced to the pharmaceutical market. Since then the global market for nasal drug products has increased substantially. Its overall value has reached about $7bn1 and it represents approximately 1 per cent of the global pharmaceutical market ($780bn).

Local delivery of corticosteroids and antihistamines for allergy treatments, plus nasal decongestants, represents approximately 70 per cent of the market. Systemic delivery and other non-prescription products make up the rest. Interestingly, the nasal market keeps growing at about the same rate as the global pharmaceutical market – 5 to 6 per cent per year.

While nasal drug products are becoming more and more efficient, drug delivery devices are also an important contributor to the success of the nasal route, given the increasing regulatory requirements concerning spray and dose accuracy related to nasal spray pumps. They have drastically improved since the 1970s.

However, looking at most marketed nasal spray products, it is noticeable that, even if they come in different sizes and shapes, their design has not changed much in 40 years, and one configuration has imposed itself over the years: the top actuated device.

To assess whether these devices are the ultimate development in nasal delivery, Valois Pharma carried out an investigation to better understand patients’ preferences and expectations in a series of Patient Acceptance Studies (PAS) in the UK and the US.

Patients were first screened for regular use of spray pumps for allergy treatment. They were asked to test and evaluate a variety of nasal spray pumps with various actuation modes and express their preferences. The result was extremely informative. Top of their wish list was a request for different ergonomics with a better grip and lower actuation force. Improved hygiene with fingers kept well away from the nostril is also considered a key feature. Portability (small size), transport security (to avoid self-actuation of the device in a bag or a pocket) and a window showing the remaining product left in the container were also important attributes.

Building upon the results of these marketing studies, Valois Pharma has launched a side actuated spray device that makes nasal drug delivery easier and meets the expectations expressed during the PAS.

The first attribute of the new side actuated device is its ease of use – not only for self-administration, but also for third party administration, especially in the case of paediatric use. Compact, ergonomically designed and intuitive to use, the device requires only moderate effort to actuate it. This means that it can be easily used by a wide range of people, from children to the elderly.

Next, but by no means least, is patient comfort. Using the side actuator removes any possibility of axial movement of the nozzle inside the nostril when the actuator is depressed to generate the spray. This eliminates any risk of the nozzle entering the nostril too deeply. Moreover, there is no contact between the fingers and nostrils, which can lead to improved hygiene during treatment. In addition, the device is fitted with a see-through level indicator that allows the patient to easily check the amount of drug left and to replace medication before it runs out.

Finally, as the movement to actuate the device is perfectly natural, it is not only more comfortable but also much easier to obtain delivery of a full dose.

Conscious of the increasing importance of branding in the marketing of pharma products, the side actuated nasal spray device consists of a standard actuator coupled with a customisable shell and cap.

Although, the current focus is on nasal delivery of prescription drugs, future development and improvements such as integration of a dose counter could see the device also being used for systemic nasal drug delivery.

According to the World Health Organization, the average patient forgets every second dose, resulting in a 50 per cent compliance rate. Patient compliance is a major issue in healthcare and more particularly in the long term treatment of chronic diseases.

To contribute to patient compliance, Valois Pharma can integrate its side actuated device with the company’s Equadel spray pump, which dispenses the same dose and spray quality every time, regardless of how much pressure is exerted on the actuator by the patient.

Hervé Pacaud is business development director of Valois Pharma

Reference: 1. Datamonitor, Espicom, Greystone