Evaluating pharmacist preferences: Preparation of a novel on-body delivery system vs. high-resistance, manual syringes for large-volume subcutaneous drugs

BackgroundAlthough 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.ObjectiveTo 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.ResultsThirty 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.ConclusionPharmacists 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.