News Flash:

BD Introduces Shortest Insulin Pen Needle in U.S.

BD, the worldwide leader in insulin needles, announced the launch of the BD Ultra-FineÔ III Mini Pen Needle, a significant advance in insulin injection technology.  It is the shortest pen needle available in the United States and is safe and effective for a wide range of patients.  It is currently available at pharmacies throughout the U.S. 

The new 5-mm (3/16”) mini pen needle – 38 percent shorter than a “short” 8-mm (5/16”) needle and 60 percent shorter than the “original” 12.7-mm (1/2”) needle – provides consistent, reliable, subcutaneous delivery of insulin to adults and children.  People with diabetes should consult a healthcare professional before changing to a shorter pen needle.  When they change to a shorter needle, they should monitor their glucose levels more closely for the first two weeks.

Demand for pen needles growing

According to American Diabetes Association records, 10.3 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes.  Among them, 3.5 million (almost 34 percent) must take daily insulin injections to maintain their blood glucose levels.  While the insulin injection device of choice in the U.S. remains the syringe, the demand for insulin pens and needles is growing rapidly.  From 1999 to 2001 the use of insulin pen needles in the U.S. grew from 7% to 14% of people who inject insulin.[1]

Striving to improve glucose control 

“The 5-mm mini pen needle may help adults and children, who are fearful of injections, maintain better control of their blood glucose levels by reducing needle phobia and increase compliance with insulin treatment,” said Carol J. Levy, M.D., C.D.E., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Cornell University Medical Center in New York. “In all the studies with the 5-mm mini pen needles, not only did children prefer the shorter needle, they experienced less discomfort and they found the no-pinch technique much easier.”

Patients and healthcare professionals prefer 5-mm mini pen needle option

In a recent survey, 92% of diabetes patients surveyed found the 5-mm mini pen needle more comfortable than the needle they currently use.  Further, 93% of diabetes patients surveyed said they would use the 5-mm mini pen needle on a regular basis.  Among healthcare professionals, 100% of diabetes nurse educators surveyed said that they would recommend the 5-mm mini pen needle to their patients.