Novo Nordisk has introduced the next generation FlexPen which is a pre-filled insulin delivery device which has a significantly lower injection force. The device builds on the high standards already seen in the current FlexPen to provide additional benefits for patients and healthcare professionals.

The product has been made available in some countries from late 2008 but has been launched in India in this month. It has 30 per cent less force when injecting, so that it can be injected with just a gentle push. It has new coloured cartridge holders, labels and packaging to aid insulin type identification for patients. These features provide improved convenience and ease of use for people with diabetes.

Patients with diabetes generally prefer an insulin device with a lower injection force because it causes less discomfort when injecting. Since patients with diabetes use this product on a regular basis they need to have a delivery system that is simple and easy to use. The next generation Flexpen would give them the confidence to use it on regular basis and comply with the insulin regimen prescribed by their doctor, said Dr Bipin Sethi, endocrinologist.

"The distinct color coding of the Next Generation FlexPen will be helpful for easy identification of the product, especially for elderly patients" said Dr. Sudhakar Rao, endocrinologist.

More than 25 years of research and development of insulin delivery systems has been undertaken to develop the new generation FlexPen since Novo Nordisk invented the insulin pen. Compared to other insulin delivery devices that have to be manually loaded with insulin cartridges, prefilled pens are ready to use, eliminating the step of loading insulin cartridge into the delivery device. Next Generation FlexPen features a single-step dose-setting mechanism, portability and a discreet 'non-medical' appearance.

It provides doses in one-unit increments up to 60 units per injection. Each pen contains 300 units in total. The dose scale on Next Generation FlexPen automatically returns to zero after injection to allow visual confirmation of dose delivery.

FlexPen is the world's most widely used prefilled insulin pen, trusted daily by more than three million people worldwide. The first and second next generation FlexPen represents the latest advance in prefilled insulin pens.