Mallinckrodt Unveils Positive Patient Feedback on Acthar® Gel SelfJect Injector Experience
Mallinckrodt plc, a leading global specialty pharmaceutical firm, has recently published exciting findings from a survey that assessed patient experiences with the Acthar® Gel Single-Dose Pre-filled SelfJect™ Injector, known as SelfJect. This injector is designed specifically for administering Acthar Gel, a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for several chronic and acute inflammatory conditions.
The survey aimed to delve into patient perceptions regarding satisfaction, confidence, convenience, and ease of use of the SelfJect injector. Participants were assessed for their anticipated persistence and compliance with the SelfJect device. The study's results were recently made available online in the journal, Advances in Therapy.
Acthar Gel is a complex naturally sourced mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogs and other pituitary peptides, indicated for a variety of autoimmune disorders and inflammatory conditions. The SelfJect injector comes in two variants—40 USP units/0.5 mL and 80 USP units/1.0 mL—and is intended solely for use by adults aged 18 years and older. Importantly, it is not designed for the treatment of infantile spasms.
The survey results were promising, with a significant majority of participants indicating a favorable experience. According to the findings: 91% of respondents expressed that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the SelfJect injector; 89% felt extremely confident in their ability to administer Acthar Gel at home; and 91% noted that they found the injector to be convenient.
Furthermore, all participants reported the injection process as easy, and an impressive 87% indicated they were likely to continue using Acthar Gel via SelfJect for the prescribed period, with similar levels of compliance anticipated regarding dosing and timing.
Dr. George Wan, Vice President of Evidence Generation and Data Sciences at Mallinckrodt, stated, "Real-world perceptions are critical to capturing patient satisfaction and treatment experience with SelfJect beyond clinical trials, especially for those living with conditions that can often be challenging to manage." This emphasizes the necessity for thorough, independent evaluations of medical devices to ensure they meet the ease of use requirements for patients with specific challenges, such as dexterity or vision impairments.
The survey was conducted between November 2024 and January 2025, involving a diverse group of 54 participants, with the majority being females, and a mean age of 55.4 years. A notable portion of the respondents had experiences of chronic or recurring ocular inflammatory disease (33%) and rheumatoid arthritis (26%). There was also a significant incidence of dexterity or visual challenges reported by 39% of participants, which reiterates the importance of accessibility in healthcare products.
Despite the positive feedback, it’s essential to approach these findings with caution, as the survey data is limited to a cross-sectional snapshot and did not encompass long-term patient satisfaction metrics. Future studies employing longitudinal designs are needed for more comprehensive insights into persistent and compliant usage of such medical devices.
In conclusion, the favorable feedback from the RISE™ survey sets a benchmark for understanding the real-world impact of the Acthar Gel SelfJect injector on patient experiences. As the importance of patient-centered therapies continues to take precedence in the pharmaceutical industry, findings like these underscore the necessity of products designed with patient comfort and convenience in mind, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for those living with chronic inflammatory conditions.