West to Co-present Research Findings on Understanding the Patient Journey through the Phases of a Chronic Disease

EXTON, Pa., Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, has completed primary user research with its partner, Insight Product Development, aimed at understanding the needs of patients, caregivers and clinicians in the field of injectable therapies for chronic diseases. West will co-present a poster summarizing the findings at the Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) conference on "The Universe of Prefilled Syringes and Injection Devices" in Basel, Switzerland November 5-6.

Chris Evans, Director of Innovation at West, and Craig Scherer, Senior Partner of Insight, will present at 10:45 a.m. on November 5 and during session breaks throughout both days of the conference.

With the increase in chronic conditions such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis) it is becoming more critical to provide safe and effective drug delivery systems that can be used by the patient for self-administration in the home environment. West provides a number of solutions to support the packaging and delivery of these conditions, and realizes the importance of ensuring a deep understanding of patients' needs. This is essential to ensure that systems are provided that optimize patient experience and improve outcomes through the patient's journey from initial diagnosis to a point of being in control of their treatment.

"Effective drug delivery is no longer just about the drug molecule," said Graham Reynolds, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation at West. "We recognize that a medicine can be truly effective only if it is contained and delivered safely, and if the patient maintains adherence to the required regimen. This can be achieved by providing a delivery system that enables effective delivery, and is designed with a recognition and understanding of the patient's emotional and physical state at various stages of the journey."

West has a seven-year relationship with Insight Product Development, a healthcare-centric product development consultancy. "Being able to identify and frame the needs of the users as they relate to their delivery device is critical for pharmaceutical companies to support the patient beyond the drug," said Craig Scherer, Senior Partner of Insight. "This process is critical to innovating differentiated devices that help drive adoption and adherence, resulting in better outcomes for the patient and greater success for pharmaceutical companies."

The paper to be presented at the PDA conference will highlight the transition from initial diagnosis, often creating a feeling of denial and depression. In this stage of the journey, the patient may make comments such as, "All of a sudden it's there, and you didn't want it or plan for it." As the journey progresses, the patient may feel in control of the treatment, and make comments such as, "It's a marathon not a sprint" and "I'm always working on being better." West will use the study results to work with its pharmaceutical partners to help improve patient outcomes.

About West (www.westpharma.com)
West works side-by-side with its healthcare partners from concept to the patient, designing and manufacturing packaging, diagnostic and delivery systems that promote the efficiency, reliability and safety of their products. Every day, West is leading the way with cutting-edge technologies and quality systems, a thorough understanding of global regulatory compliance, and an unmatched and growing knowledge base of relevant pharmaceutical product testing, development and packaging. Based in Exton, Pa., West supports its customers from sales, manufacturing, customer support and research and development locations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Established in 1923, West's 2012 sales were $1.3 billion.

About Insight Product Development (www.insightpd.com)
With 350 completed healthcare programs and over 30,000 hours of research completed worldwide, Insight provides design and innovation to clients on global scale. Since 1988, Insight has relied on its research, design and engineering teams to create device solutions that are user-centered, safe and reliable.

^{West and the diamond logo and By your side for a healthier world™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions.}

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SOURCE West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.