Tony Kirk, country business leader, medical delivery solutions, BD, explains the company’s practices developing drug delivery components for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout safely, sustainably, and efficiently.
The pandemic was a global call to action for key players across the healthcare ecosystem – pharmaceutical companies, medical technology organisations and governments – each playing their part to ensure the successful and safe delivery of services at each stage of the vaccine campaign. Supply chains and operations were put under pressure like never before, with regulatory boards having to accelerate approvals, and manufacturers providing medical devices at a rapid rate and unexpected scale.
The ability to deliver a vaccination campaign of this nature could not have happened without effective collaboration between global governments, healthcare systems and industry. This united effort aided these bodies to overcome significant access and infrastructure challenges to support the sustainable delivery of healthcare.
A new way of operating
A great example of this extraordinary global collaborative effort is the COVID-19 vaccine delivery, which required a much more agile way of operating. The manufacturing, packaging and transport of needles and syringes are a vital aspect of vaccine delivery. Products developed must meet strict safety specifications. Individual plastic syringe and needle parts are sterilised before being distributed across supply chains and designated for government or non-government organisation distribution centres. Having to navigate supply chain disruptions, as well as consistently deliver high-quality products in a timely manner presented a challenge for medtech manufacturers. However, by establishing clear lines of communication, medtech, pharma, health services and governments were able to effectively collaborate and ensure a smooth mass vaccination roll-out.
Leveraging innovations to increase efficiency
The syringe – critical to vaccine delivery – has come a long way since the development of polypropylene in late 1950s. A series of evolutions in design, and manufacturing over 60 years improved sterilisation processes, increased production of devices, and made them easier and more intuitive to use. Convenience trays were introduced to help pharmacists to save time when batch preparing syringes. Another innovation in the development of syringes is minimising dose wastage. For example, BD’s Flu+ syringes contain an integrated needle and are designed to minimise waste, when used with vials that contain multiple doses. This practical, plastic disposable syringe aids patients and healthcare workers throughout vaccine delivery.
Further efficiency improvements led to the creation of pre-filled syringes. Many European countries receive annual vaccines in the ready-to-deliver form of prefilled syringes. However, to make the COVID-19 vaccine available as soon as possible, they came in vials instead of pre-filled syringes, meaning that global governments needed to ensure a separate and steady stock of needles and syringes to be able to inoculate the population. With continued innovations being made to medication delivery devices, there is great potential for future COVID-19 vaccines to come in pre-filled syringes, therefore improving frontline treatment efforts.
Maintaining sustainable operations
The development of single-use disposable plastic syringe was necessary for the healthcare industry in terms of sterilisation and safety. However, the world has continued to learn of the impact of single use plastics on the environment. From reducing the overall volume of plastic used, introducing renewable electricity in production facilities, adopting more environmentally friendly packaging, to non-toxic materials, it is important that manufacturers are developing and implementing more sustainable business practices for waste reduction – both in terms of medical and material waste - whilst ensuring the safe delivery of vaccinations for patients.
While changes were made across manufacturing, logistics and healthcare delivery systems throughout the vaccine campaign, it is vital to continue to build on improvements to aid access to vaccines and ensure efficient and timely delivery of care. Clear channels of communication and future-proofed supply chains are important aspects in strengthening partnerships across industry and key decision makers and keeping up with demands of healthcare systems. Driving research and development to advance vaccine delivery, as well as expanding training for healthcare professionals to ensure the safe administration of vaccines must also be prioritised to help build resilient healthcare systems.