COVER STORY
also conducting a user test evaluation is key because, even if it is successful according to the in vitro tests, an eyedropper may not necessarily be appreciated by patients due to poor usability.
the EMA has stated that preservatives should be avoided in patients who are on long-term treatments, or do not tolerate eye drops. It’s believed that by switching from preserved to preservativefree topical ocular medications can diminish the harmful effects caused by preservatives.4 Novelia has been tested by patients in user evaluations studies which showed that it was their preferred eyedropper. Eyedropper performance is mainly evaluated by in vitro tests, such as the dose variability against shelf life, the sterility of the content and the delivered drop. Despite these important in vitro tests, the usability aspects of the drug delivery system are not fully considered. Therefore,
During four user studies conducted between 2009 and 2018 Novelia was shown to be the preferred ophthalmic system. The studies contained a total of 230 people including senior users with chronic eye diseases and showed that 43% of patients thought that Novelia would enhance compliance over their current treatment, and that 76% of patients preferred using Novelia. A DIGITAL WORLD In response to the digitisation of day to day life and considering the low patient adherence in ophthalmic treatments, we’ve developed an electronic addon in order to assist patients in administrating their treatments. The e-Novelia add-on has been designed to add new functions to Novelia due to limitations of standard mechanical devices. The add-on includes a range of features to assist patients in administering and tracking their medication. By using the add-on, patients are reminded to take their dose and refill their device, are given digital and interactive
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instructions and are supplied with information about their drug’s expiry date, dosage and batch number. Importantly, the add-on also offers feedback and guide to patients on how to use their device the right way, and will produce tilts, shakes, and buzzes if it detects it is being used wrong. This new technology will be useful not only for patients, but for the entire industry: healthcare professionals will benefit from the dose tracking analysis and will be able to adjust the treatment; researchers will perform more efficient clinical studies; pharma companies will also use the data collection to launch better performing drugs while payers will be able to check if the patients comply with their prescriptions.
REFERENCES 1 https://healthprize. com/blog/medicationadherence-pharmas-637billion-opportunity/ 2 (Jennifer L. Stone, Alan L. Robin, Gary D. Novack, David W. Covert, Gerald D. Cagle. An Objective Evaluation of Eyedrop Instillation in Patients With Glaucoma. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(6):732– 736. doi:10.1001/ archophthalmol.2009.96) 3 http://journals.lww. com/glaucomajournal/ Abstract/2012/03000/ Evaluating_Eye_Drop_ Instillation_Technique_in.11. aspx 4 Steven, DW et al. Preservative in glaucoma medication. British Journal of Ophthalmology 2018;102:1497-1503
Nemera’s smart eyedropper showcases several electronic features, which could be transferred across multiple device platforms: • Compliance rate
• User instructions
• Treatment history
• Smartphone application and notifications
• Remaining volume indication • Optimal position for drop into eye (via traffic lights) • Actuation ease of use
• Shaking formulation indication • RFID tag on eyedropper bottle to collect data