Multiple sclerosis, diabetes and migraine are therapy areas where alternative drug delivery is sought

Most branded drugs rely upon oral delivery. Frost & Sullivan’s analysis of data from a recent survey, however, stresses the importance of understanding that the drivers of satisfaction and the selection of a delivery method are not always the same across diseases. For example, pharmaceutical companies recently introduced several oral treatments for multiple sclerosis with substantial advantages over standard injectable therapies. The survey found, however, that more than 55% of physicians treating the disease and 58% of patients with multiple sclerosis were likely to switch if the drug were available in a transdermal patch. Also, 54% of physicians treating migraines and an equal proportion of migraine patients would switch to a drug using nasal administration if available.

More than 220 physicians and 650 patients voiced their opinions about drug delivery methods in the survey, Drug Delivery Technology: End-User Preferences, Utilization, and Perceptions Analysis, tracing usage patterns, preferences and selection factors of drug delivery methods.

The drug delivery market, which Frost & Sullivan pegs at $82 billion worldwide, “shows no sign of saturation,” as alternative delivery methods are brought to market. Efforts to extend brand franchises, differentiate competing products, and address drug cost concerns are all factors in energizing the market. In the study, 15 methods were analyzed; among them, noticeable preferences were voiced for transdermal patches, inhalants, and oral delivery (in cases where injection is the usual method).

The survey is available for purchase at Frost.com.