Request a kit with free samples

What's the "point" of a new needle?


Reduced harm
to your skin


May lead to more consistent insulin absorption


May increase comfort and confidence

It matters more than your patients may realize.1

Without proper injection technique, patients with diabetes may be at increased risk for developing lipohypertrophy (LH). LH is a thickened, rubbery swelling of fat tissue at injection sites that can cause inconsistent insulin absorption. LH often results from needle reuse and improper site rotation.*

In a study, 64% of patients had LH present.

64% of patients

Patients with diabetes on insulin who received structured injection technique training, including changing to a shorter needle length (4mm or 5mm pen needles), saw a 1% reduction in HbA1c.2

Request a patient counseling kit with free BD samples to educate your patients on how to improve their injection experience

Suggest a shorter needle length

Did you know over 50% of patients inject with a needle longer than clinically recommended?6
Insulin is meant to be injected into the fat layer just below the skin for consistent absorption. Injected into the muscle, insulin may work too quickly, which may lead to low blood sugar.4 Shorter needle lengths (6mm or less) decrease the risk of injecting into muscle.4‡

With every injection, just two small steps can make a difference5:

Replace your needle Needle icon
Rotate injection sites Injection site icon

Replace your needle

Keep their injection experience healthy.

Insulin syringe and pen needles are designed for single use. Re-using needles has been reported to increase injection pain and may increase the risk of needle and skin damage.1,5

Every time you fill an insulin syringe, pen needle or injectable medication prescription, establish the importance of replacing needles and rotating injection sites to help avoid LH and promote consistent insulin absorption.

almost 50% of patients admit to reusing needles

Rotate injection sites

Recommend injection site rotation.5

It's important to rotate injections within each site and between sites on a regular basis. This may allow patients to more consistently absorb the insulin they inject and help them better manage their diabetes.

The arms, abdomen, thighs and buttocks are generally recommended injection sites.

rotate injection site step 1

Choose an area.

rotate injection site step 2

Divide that area into sections.

rotate injection site step 3

Select an injection site in a section to start injecting. Use one section per week.

rotate injection site step 4

Inject one finger width away from your last injection.

Show you care. Print and share these resources with your patients and staff.
BD's injection technique awareness campaign supports pharmacists and their patients with diabetes. Print and share these support materials with your staff anytime.

Better discussions video series
BD™ Diabetes Care app  
Patient counseling sheet  
Tip sheet  
Educational resources

Recent clinical recommendations published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings state that patients should use the shortest needles available (currently 4mm pen 6mm insulin syringe needles†) for all patient categories.5

BD’s innovative shorter needle technologies optimize the injection experience and is preferred by most patients over their current needle length7,8

BD Nano™ 4mm Pen Needles

  • EasyFlow™ Technology - less thumb force needed to press the pen button9
  • PentaPoint™ Comfort - allows for a more comfortable injection10
  • Compatible with widely used pen injection devices11
Learn more

BD Veo™ Insulin Syringe with the BD Ultra-Fine™ 6mm needle

  • 53% shorter than 12.7mm needles.
  • Reduces the risk of painful injections into the muscle.5
Learn more
Learn more
Learn more

BD Nano™ 4mm Pen Needles and BD Veo™ Insulin Syringes with BD Ultra-Fine™ 6mm needle are covered by most healthcare plans, including Medicare Part D.§

Start the conversation with your patients and share the “point” of a new needle.

Patients with diabetes see a doctor just 3–4x per year. They see their pharmacist up to 28x per year.12 These visits are opportunities for you to educate your patients about the benefits of proper injection technique.

Free Samples

Pharmacists agree the BD Patient Counseling Kit with Free Samples is extremely helpful/useful13

The BD Patient Counseling Kit with Free Samples educates their patients to improve their injection experience, satisfaction, and adherence to their prescribed diabetes injection therapy!

Request a BD patient counseling kit with free samples

This order form is for pharmacists only. All samples are complimentary and subject to pharmacist license verification.

Want to learn more? Contact BD today!

1.888.BDCares or [email protected]

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References

  1. Blanco M et al. Prevalence and risk factors of lipohypertrophy in insulin-injecting patients with diabetes. Diabetes & Metabolism. 2013;39(5):445–453
  2. Misnikova IV, Gubkina VA, Lakeeva TS, Dreval AV. A Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Impact of Proper Insulin Injection Technique Training on Glycemic Control. Diabetes Ther. Published online October 13, 2017
  3. Symphony Health Solutions, PrescriberSource, Payor Focus, Jan-Dec 2017
  4. Gibney MA, et al. Skin and subcutaneous adipose layer thickness in adults with diabetes at sites used for insulin injections: Implications for needle length recommendations. Current Medical Research and Opinion. 2010;26(6):1519–1530
  5. Frid AH, et al. New insulin delivery recommendations. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2016;91(9):1231–1255
  6. Frid AH, Hirsch LJ, Menchior AR, Morel DR, Strauss KW.. 2016_Worldwide Injection Technique Questionnaire_Population Parameters and injection practices Mayo Clin Proc. 2016;91(9):1212–1223
  7. BD 6mm Insulin Syringe Voice of Customer Market Research Report, August 2017
  8. Hirsch L, et al. Comparative glycemic control, safety and patient ratings for a new 4 mm × 32G insulin pen needle in adults with diabetes. Current Medical Research and Opinion. 2010;26(6):1531–1541
  9. Aronson R et al. Insulin pen needles: Effects of extra-thin wall needle technology on preference, confidence, and other patient ratings. Clinical Therapeutics. 2013;35(7):923–933
  10. Hirsch L, et al. Impact of a modified needle tip geometry on penetration force as well as acceptability, preference, and perceived pain in subjects with diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2012;6(2):328–335
  11. BD Pen Needle Compatibility Status Summary with Diabetes Care & Non-Diabetes Drug Delivery Devices; Documents Number: 149OTH-0004-02 Rev N Dated: 22 Jun 2017; 10000308903 Ver B Dated: 20 July 2017. 10000321189 Ver A Dated: July 2017
  12. Joslin Diabetes Center. More than pill dispensers: how your pharmacist can help your diabetes. Accessed on March 5, 2018 at http://blog.joslin.org/2012/04/more-than-pill-dispensers-how-your-pharmacist-can-help-your-diabetes/
  13. BD Patient Counseling Kit with Free Samples Survey among pharmacists, May, 2017
  14. *No causal link has been established between these factors and the development of lipohypertophy.
  15. †Excluding safety syringes
  16. ‡Compared to longer needles at a 90* injection
  17. §Copays and preferred status may vary by plan