This conference provides an excellent opportunity to hear the latest developments and to meet key players in this ever-changing environment.

Advances in auto injector design and in needle-free injectors are helping pharmaceutical companies to market their drugs and to compete more effectively by providing gains in market share, allowing greater penetration of markets, helping patients to comply with dosage regimes and providing safer injections. Indeed, injection devices were once considered as an afterthought but now in some product categories they are becoming an entry ticket; an essential part of the drug’s presentation to the market, without which they would fail to attract patients. Pharmaceutical companies are developing injectors in parallel with their new drugs, in the knowledge that a device will be needed at product launch.

Auto injectors are advancing both commercially and technically with the recent launch of a second pre-filled single-use device, containing a standard pre-filled syringe, which automates needle insertion, drug delivery and automatically covers the needle after use. Drugs to treat RA, Anaemia and Neutropenia are now available in such pre-filled convenient patient-friendly presentations.

In parallel to auto injector development there have been significant advances in needle-free and powder delivery which are increasingly showing that they offer an alternative to the needle.