Why does the manufacturer of Betaferon® not offer prefilled syringes?
In order to offer a syringe prefilled with Betaferon® in solution, the chemical change that is required entails more problems than advantages: • First, an interferon that is stable in solution must be more acidic – the Betaferon powder has neutral pH when dissolved. Acidic pH together with an interferon can cause more painful injections. • Second, interferon solution must be kept at refrigerator temperature at all times up until injection. This means that the prefilled syringe must be warmed to body temperature before injection. Also, since the temperature must remain constant, it is harder to stay mobile – for work, travel, leisure, etc. • Third, the manufacturer favours its patients’ well-being, safety and flexibility. By prioritising less injection pain and greater safety and convenience, the perceived benefit of a prefilled syringe is outweighed by its disadvantages.
