Painless injection is here

US needle-free injector devices have been introduced in Bangladesh, much to the relief of thousands of people who are mortally scared of painful jabs.

A US-based company, iHealthNet, has tied up with Bioject Medical Technologies, the manufacturer of the device, for its promotion and distribution.

“It has the ability to deliver injections in all routes – intramuscular, subcutaneous and intra-dermal, except intravenous,” said the distributor's Chief Executive Officer Tawfiq Hassan on Saturday while presenting the device at a function in Dhaka.

He said each shot with this device would cost Tk 50 more than the conventional means. The company was targeting institutions where many patients went to take injections.

“Once bought, the device can deliver about 120,000 shots … so it will not be convenient for an individual to buy it,” he said.

The response, he said, was 'positive' with many healthcare institutes including the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University showing interest.

In the device, a delivery system propels the drug at very high speed through the epidermis of the skin, and can also deposit the drug within the subcutaneous tissue.

The pressure for drug delivery is generated by decompressing a cartridge filled with gas.

“There is no need of battery or electricity, so it is easy for any setup,” the CEO said.

Bioject Medical Technologies introduced the device over two decades ago.

Its Chief Executive Officer Mark Logomasini said, quoting WHO, that not a single child woke up while being injecting with the device. “It’s a technology that really patient-friendly.”

He said it was so simple to use that even a six-year-old could handle it with a little bit of training.

Chief Operating Officer of iHealthNet Mohammed Malique said the device took away the ‘fear and pain’ for millions of people who live on injections every day, particularly those who are diabetic.

He said they always try to bring advanced technologies to countries like Bangladesh.

“Two years ago we introduced a telemedicine health cart which was US-made and very expensive. Now it is made in Bangladesh and is cheaper,” he said while presenting his company.