NEEDLE FREE INJECTION SYSTEM

NEEDLE FREE INJECTION SYSTEM: INJEX 30

Here is a device for getting insulin or other medications under the skin without the use of a needle. I do not know if this eliminates all the pain but the company has some studies that show it eliminates some of the pain.

According to their literature "Injex is virtually pain free. Most people who have switched from taking insulin with a needle find Injex less painful, reporting only a slight feeling of pressure against the skin."

As with a regular syringe, you can mix different kinds of insulin. This could also be used to give other, regular vaccines if you have a cooperative doctor. Whether it would be less painful than a regular needle with Ethyl Chloride, EMLA, or ELA-MAX we do not know. No comparison studies have been done. For children and adults who are really needle phobic, it may be less traumatic than a needle even if it turns out it does hurt more.

To my knowledge, no one has tried using Ethyl Chloride or EMLA, or LHX with the Injex 30 system. It would be an interesting experiment to see if they would all work together to eliminate even more pain.

Instead of using a needle, Injex 30 propels a fine stream of insulin through a tiny opening in the end of a disposable ampule. This pressure, they say, "pushes the insulin through the skin and into the subcutaneous tissue."

The Injex 30 sytem has been used in a clinical trial to deliver the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to test subjects. It was found to be as effective as a needle delivered vaccination in raising antibody levels. As they put it, "The results demonstrate equivalent immunogenicity in the study of adolescent subjects. Based on these results the Injex injector is a safe and effective alternative to standard needle syringes in the vaccination of subjects in the MMR vaccine for immunity to measles, mumps and rubella." This quote comes from a study the company sent me. If you are having trouble convincing your child's doctor, it would be worth calling or writing the company to get them to send you this study. It is called, "Clinical immunogenicity of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine delivered by the Injex jet injector: comparison with standard syringe injection." It is reprinted from The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, Volume 19, No. 9 September 2000. It is copyrighted of course or I would have the whole thing here.

They point out that Injex also eliminates the risk of accidental needle sticks and the hassle (and danger) of needle disposal.

The danger is real. Ann Landers had a letter from someone who was in a public restroom. He washed his hands and tried to dispose of the paper towel in the waste can, but it was overflowing. So he pushed the paper towels down into the can to make more room. He felt his hand being pricked by something painfully sharp. He investigated and found a used syringe. So he ended up having to go for an AIDS test, which we can hope was negative. He had no way of knowing if the syringe was from a careless diabetic, or a drug user. Since reading that letter I have quit doing this myself and have warned others not to do it.

The Injex system is covered by most health insurance.

The starter kit costs about $260 and the replacement ampules come in boxes of a hundred for about $50. The vial adapters are sold in boxes of 10 for about $10.

It is available by special order from pharmacies nationwide. Or you can order from http://www.diabeticsupplies.com.

It comes with a one year warranty, and you can call their Customer Care Line toll free for more information. The number is 1 877-474-6539 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Their web site is very informative and you can reach that at http://www.injex.com.

They claim their system is easy to use, and after looking at the free movie CD they sent me, I would have to agree it does look simple. To get the medicine into the ampule you use a vial adapter with a sharp point that pierces the vial. You push some air in, then turn the vial upside down just as you would with a regular syringe and suck the medicine into the ampule. Then you push out all air bubbles from the ampule. Then the ampule is placed in the injector and it is placed against the skin. You push a button and the stuff is pushed into your skin through the tiny hole in the end of the ampule. If this sounds complicated, be assured, it is not. Their website http://www.injex.com offers a great visual demonstration of how to do it, and they are very helpful about answering questions.

Their snail mail address is

Equidyne Systems, Inc.

11770 Bernadio Plaza, Court, Ste 351

San Diego, CA 92128

Their fax number is 858 451 7002

Their phone number is 858 451 7001

How To Get Insurance Reimbursement

For The Injex 30.

The following is information quoted in its entirety from their product literature as to how to get insurance reimbursement for the Injex 30 system. I do not believe they will mind me quoting it word for word, as I am sure they want to sell as many of these as they can.

The Injex Needle Free injector system is covered by many health insurance plans. This guide is designed to assist you in verifying coverage from you insurance company. In some cases Injex will be covered as a prescription drug benefit, while in other cases it will fall under the medical portion of the benefit plan.

STEP 1. Call the telephone number printed on your prescription drug card or ask your pharmacist to run your prescription card through the computer system at the pharmacy. This will determine if Injex is covered under the drug benefit, the co-payment amount and whether prior authorization is required.

To verify coverage for Injex you (or your pharmacist) will need to reference the following "NDC" identification numbers.

18270-0000-30 for the Injex Starter Kit

18270-0100-30 for a box of 100 Injex 30 Ampules

18270-0201-10 for a box of 1 Vial Adapters.

Step 2. Call the 1-800# on your insurance card to verify medical benefit coverage for Injex. To determine if Injex is a covered benefit, your insurance company will need the following, HCPCS codes: A4210 for the Injex Starter Kit and A4211 for the Ampules and Vial Adapters. In some cases your insurance company may require you to submit a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) from your physician in order to receive reimbursement. For your convenience a blank CMN is available at www.injex.com or from Injex Customer Care at 1-877-474-6539.