This in itself is not a problem; however, many new drugs can only be stored stably in freeze-dried form. Prior to injection, they must be liquefied by using water for injection (WFI) or another diluent. The patient needs two vials with different contents and a syringe. First, the diluent must be drawn into the syringe and injected into the second vial. After shaking it, the drug can be drawn into the syringe again and administered. The risk of error, such as a possible contamination of the substances, increases with the number of steps. In addition, there is the risk that the patient could miss the right mixing ratio or inject the wrong dosage.

SCHOTT has developed a solution for these forms of administration: a double chamber cartridge for pen systems. It contains the two drug components in two consecutive chambers that are separated by a plunger. When the pen lock is turned, the plunger will be pushed to the level of the bypass, and the liquid will flow into the anterior chamber through the nearly 0.1 millimeter narrow opening. It will then mix with the second component. The final drug can then be injected without any risk of contamination and in the exact dosage by simply triggering the pen.

SCHOTT cartridges are compatible with the most commonly used pen systems and can be adapted to meet the specific needs of pharma companies. The position of the bypass can be changed or the edges can be modified, for example. ”This is important if a customer wants to fill the drug directly in powder form,” says SCHOTT Product Manager Andrea Wesp. Alternatively, the active ingredient can also be filled in liquid form and then be lyophilized inside a freeze dryer.