Syringe pens and autoinjectors

Syringe pens and autoinjectors are devices for injecting drugs. Their main tasks are to allow a person without medical education to give himself an injection safely and without panic.

How the Pen Works

A pen syringe is a semi-automatic tool. The patient must screw the needle himself, dial a dose if necessary, introduce a needle under the skin and press a button, told Zdrav.Expert acting Head of the Department of Pediatrics with a course in endocrinology, expert of the Center for Clinical Research of the Siberian State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia Oksana Oleinik. You have to hold the button on the syringe handle for the entire injection, five or sometimes ten seconds. At this time, a person controls the process with his eyes and hands, makes sure that the dose really gets in so that the needle does not slip out too early.

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Фото: Freepik

The pen consists of the following components:

• Body: The "handle" itself, which the patient holds in his hand.
• Cartridge (sleeve): A replaceable container inside the handle containing the medicine.
• Needle: A disposable sterile needle that is wound on the end of the handle before each injection. This is the only part that contacts the body.
• Dispenser: A mechanism (often in the form of a wheel or buttons) that allows you to accurately establish the required dose of medicine.
• Injection mechanism: A button (plunger) that is pressed to administer the dose.

The pen implies repeated use and, as a result, the mandatory presence of preservatives in the product. As a rule, this is phenol and benzyl alcohol, Oleinik clarifies. According to her, the presence of a preservative is directly determined by the dosage form. In multi-dose forms, each needle replacement carries the risk of microbial contamination, and in these cases the presence of preservatives becomes a prerequisite for ensuring sterility and safety of the product for the patient. In single-dose drugs that are used in auto-injectors, there is no risk of contamination (contamination), so preservatives are not required, the expert said.

How the autoinjector works

The auto-injector is designed differently. With him, the process is as automated as possible. The patient only needs to remove the protective cap, press the device to the skin, the activated mechanism will work automatically: the needle goes to the desired depth, the drug is introduced at a predetermined speed, and the needle is removed itself, and the whole process is hidden from the patient's eyes. The whole procedure takes a few seconds. In addition, visual and sound indicators are provided - clicking or changing the color of the window suggests that the dose is administered completely.

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Фото: Freepik

The autoinjector consists of the following components:

• Body: Usually shaped like a cylinder or tube.
• Syringe with medicine: Inside is already a ready-to-use syringe with a fixed dose of the drug.
• Trigger: Often it's just pressing the device against the body or pressing a big button.
• Hidden needle: The needle is hidden inside and appears only at the moment of injection, which reduces fear in the patient.
• Protective cap: A fuse that is removed immediately before use.

One of the key benefits of using an auto-injector, especially for suspicious patients, is a hidden needle. The person does not see her either before or after the injection, and contact with her is minimal. The atoinjector excludes the possibility of making a mistake with the dose, it is laid down by the manufacturer and does not require manual setting. At the same time, the device is disposable, which completely eliminates reuse and the associated risks of infection.

Key differences between pen syringes and auto injectors

Zdrav.Expert asked Oksana Oleinik to cite the key differences between pen syringes and auto injectors and based on her data prepared a comparative table:

According to the expert, the pen syringe has certainly become an important stage in the development of medical procedures. She made it possible for millions of patients to independently cope with injections without going to the clinic every time. But the auto-injector has stepped even further - it relieves the main difficulties: fear of a needle, risk of errors and the duration of the procedure. At the same time, auto-injectors are more expensive than pen syringes.

Syringes (Global Market)

Main Article: Syringes (Global Market)

Contrast Injectors (Global Market)

Main Article: Contrast Injectors (Global Market)

Technologies

2021

Pfizer to pay $345 million to sell adrenaline pen syringes at inflated prices

In mid-July 2021, Pfizer agreed to pay $345 million to settle consumer claims. They argue that due to anti-competitive practices by drugmaker and distributor Mylan, the price of EpiPen adrenaline pen syringes was unreasonably inflated. Read more here.

Philips introduced a self-injection syringe with control on a smartphone

At the end of May 2021, Phillips-Medisize introduced the Aria intelligent auto-injector platform, which should improve patient care and reduce environmental impact. According to the developers, the Aria platform presents a compact, easy-to-use, intelligent injection device with a reusable electronic drive and disposable cassettes. Read more here.

2020

Medtronic launches smart insulin pen syringe

In early December 2020, as a result of the strategic acquisition of Companion Medical, Medtronic released a smart insulin pen for patients with diabetes mellitus who have to take several injections a day. Read more here.

Smartphone-Connected Pen for Drug Injections Entered the Market

In mid-November 2020, Aptar released the AdhereIT pen syringe connected to the smartphone, designed for patients with chronic diseases who use auto-injectors to administer drugs at home. AdhereIT is the first plug-in pen that can work on multiple auto-injector platforms, the manufacturer claims. Read more here.

2019: Becton Dickinson introduced a new generation of pen syringe needles. They make injections painless

In late January 2019, Becton Dickinson announced sales of the second generation of BD Nano pen syringe needles. The novelty, according to the manufacturer, reduces the risk of incorrect administration of drug solutions and allows injections to be painless. Read more here.

Market estimates

2024

Sales of pen syringes in the world for the year reached $40.49 billion

In 2024, the global pen market amounted to $40.49 billion. More than half of the sales of these products in money were in the North American region. The corresponding data is contained in the Fortune Business Insights review presented on November 17, 2025.

The pen is an injector for subcutaneous administration of drugs. Among the advantages of such devices are ease of use, dosage accuracy, ease of wearing and the ability to use in almost any environment. The pen syringe serves primarily to inject insulin into patients suffering. diabetes The use of a thin replaceable needle and the controlled rate of administration make the injections almost painless. Many models emit sound clicks when dialing a dose and have large, clear markings, making it easier to use such injectors for the elderly and visually impaired.

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One of the main drivers of the market, the authors of the study name the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, including autoimmune pathologies and diabetes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), from 1990 to 2022, the number of people with diabetes increased from 200 million to 830 million people. In 2022, 14% of adults over the age of 18 suffered from this ailment, compared to about 7% in 1990. In 2021, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths. Many patients with this disease require regular administration of insulin to regulate blood sugar levels, which leads to increased sales of pen syringes.

The expansion of the industry is also facilitated by an aging population. In 2030, the WHO estimates that people aged 60 and over will make up one-sixth of the planet's inhabitants. By this time, their number will increase to 1.4 billion people against 1 billion in 2020. In 2050, the figure could reach 2.1 billion. It is also expected that over the period from 2020 to 2050, the population aged 80 years and older will triple and amount to 426 million people. Older people are more susceptible to various diseases that require injections to treat: this leads to increased sales of pen syringes.

Another stimulating factor is technological advances. In particular, there is an increasing demand for smart pen syringes, which automatically store injection data with the date and time, as well as the amount of drug administered. Some devices can integrate with electronic medical records.

By pen syringe application, the market is segmented into diabetes, autoimmune diseases, hormonal diseases, etc. In 2024, the first of these areas dominated with a share of 88.2% of total revenue. Disposable products are in greatest demand. From a geographical point of view, North America leads, which accounted for 53.9%, or $21.84 billion. Significant industry players on a global scale are:

• Becton Dickinson (BD);
• Sanofi;
• Novo Nordisk A/S; (Denmark)
• Eli Lilly and Company;
• Wuxi NEST Biotechnology;
• Pfizer;
• Johnson & Johnson Services;
• Medtronic;
• SHL Medical.

In 2025, the pen syringe market size is expected to reach $44.68 billion. The United States will have $22.07 billion, Europe - $11.52 billion, Asia-Pacific - $5.85 billion. Fortune Business Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR will be 10.8%. Thus, by 2032, costs may increase to $91.66 billion.^[1]

Sales of safe pen needles in the world reached $722.4 million

In 2024, the global market for safe pen needles amounted to $722.4 million. More than 40% of global sales were in the North American region. Such data are provided in a Fortune Business Insights study, the results of which are published at the end of September 2025.

Safe pen syringe needles are sterile disposable needles designed for use with insulin injectors. Such products are equipped with special protective devices to prevent accidental injections. In particular, a protective cap may be used that covers the needle after injection, minimizing the risk of injury. Thanks to safe needles, the likelihood of cross-infection is reduced.

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Фото: Freepik

One of the drivers of the market, the authors of the study call the increase in the prevalence of diabetes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), from 1990 to 2022, the number of people living with this ailment increased from 200 million to 830 million people. In 2021, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths, with 47% of all deaths associated with this disease occurring among people under 70 years of age. Another 530 thousand deaths were caused by kidney diseases caused by diabetes, and increased blood glucose is responsible for about 11% of deaths from cardiovascular diseases. Many people with diabetes require regular insulin injections, leading to increased sales of pen syringes and therefore safe needles for them.

Over the past three decades (until 2024), we have noted an alarming increase in the incidence of diabetes, which is a consequence of the increase in obesity, fueled by the advertising of unhealthy foods, low levels of physical activity and the disadvantaged economic situation of certain groups of the population, says WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The study also notes that the burden of diabetes is exacerbated amid an aging population. At the same time, the need for home care services is growing rapidly, which stimulates the demand for convenient and safe injection devices. Innovations in medical devices also have a positive impact on the industry. Modern needles make it possible to minimize tenderness and anxiety with injections, which is critical for long-term adherence to therapy, especially in the case of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes.

By safe needle syringe application, the market is segmented into therapy for diabetes, obesity, hormonal insufficiency, etc. In 2024, the first of these areas provided the largest share of revenue. From a geographical point of view, North America leads, which accounted for 42.4% of sales in monetary terms, or $306.6 million. Hospital and retail pharmacies, as well as online platforms, are allocated through distribution channels. Retail pharmacies provide the bulk of the implementation, but Internet channels demonstrate the highest growth rates. Globally, the following are named major players:

• Embecta;
• Cardinal Health;
• MTD Medical Technology and Devices;
• UltiMed;
• Allison Medical;
• Owen Mumford;
• VMG;
• Neon Diagnostics Limited.

In 2025, the market size is expected to reach $768 million. Fortune Business Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR will be 7.5%. Thus, by 2032, costs may increase to $1.27 billion.^[2]

Global Injection Devices Market Reaches $4.31 Billion in a Year

At the end of 2024, the global market for injection devices amounted to $4.31 billion. About 40% of this amount fell on the North American region. Industry trends are addressed in the Fortune Business Insights survey published in early April 2025.

The study takes into account devices for self-injection - these are medical tools that allow patients to administer their own drugs without the need for outside assistance. Such products include automatic injectors, pen syringes, needle-free injectors, and wearable injectors. Conditions such as diabetes mellitus, anaphylaxis, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis require frequent administration of drugs. Injection devices offer a convenient and effective solution for patients, allowing them to perform procedures at home or away from healthcare facilities. This eliminates the need for frequent visits to the hospital, which significantly increases the overall quality of life.

One of the key drivers of the industry in question, the authors of the study name technological advances in drug delivery. Developers are constantly improving the design of automatic injectors, which makes them more convenient for everyday use - especially for patients with limited skills or mobility.

An important role in expanding the market is played by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, including diabetes. As the population ages, health problems become more common, driving demand for effective and affordable injection devices. Against this background, regulators are taking measures to simplify the process of certification of medical devices. At the same time, manufacturers invest heavily in research and development aimed at improving the design and functionality of injectors. The pandemic has also had a stimulating effect on the industry. COVID-19

But there are also deterrents. One is the limited availability of modern drug delivery devices in low- and middle-income countries. Some self-injection solutions can be difficult to use for certain categories of patients, especially older adults. Plus, there are safety issues related to the misuse of injectors.

In 2024, the largest share of revenue was provided by pen syringes - 67.6%. The dominance of this segment is explained by factors such as ease of use, convenience and demand of devices for the therapy of various conditions, including diabetes and autoimmune diseases. Significant growth rates are observed in the automatic injectors sector. Geographically, North America is in the lead, where revenue was recorded at $1.75 billion in 2024. This is followed by Europe, while the Asia-Pacific region shows the fastest growth. Major players in the global market include:

• SHL Medical AG;
• BD;
• Crossject;
• PharmaJet;
• Ypsomed AG;
• Owen Mumford Limited;
• Recipharm AB;
• Gerresheimer AG;
• Halozyme.

In 2025, sales of injection devices worldwide are expected to rise to $4.88 billion. Fortune Business Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR in the market under consideration will be 13.3%. As a result, by 2032, costs on a global scale could increase to $11.71 billion.^[3]

Notes