12 May 2025; Nottingham, UK: Despite decades of innovation in inhaled drug delivery, patient misuse of inhalers remains high, contributing to suboptimal treatment outcomes for conditions such as asthma and COPD. The article explores the multi-factorial nature of this issue, emphasising how device design and robustness can help bridge the gap between intended and actual therapeutic performance.
With data showing up to 80% of users struggle with proper inhaler technique, the industry is turning attention toward solutions that reduce dependency on perfect usage. That’s where Copley equipment excels.
This article shines a spotlight on the Copley Patient Exhalation Simulator, which enables researchers to quantify the impact of incorrect exhalation techniques on Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) performance. Studies demonstrate that high humidity exhalation into the device can reduce delivered dose by more than 50%, significantly affecting therapeutic outcomes. Such findings underscore the vital importance of testing OIPs under realistic patient-use conditions—a need that Copley’s robust, regulatory-aligned testing platforms are uniquely designed to fulfil.
As global regulatory authorities, including FDA and EMA, increase focus on patient-centric robustness testing, Copley is at the forefront of enabling compliance.
Our tools support:
- Simulation of common patient errors
- Environmental condition testing (e.g. temperature cycling, humidity, drop tests)
- Inhalation profile and variability studies
These capabilities are not just about regulatory box-ticking—they’re about helping pharmaceutical companies create better more resilient products that consistently deliver therapeutic benefit, even when real-world usage is less than ideal.
Read the full article in ONdrugDelivery’s magazine or contact our team to learn more about our solutions.
ENDS
About Copley Scientific
Copley Scientific is widely recognised as the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of inhaled product testing equipment and is a major provider of testing systems for other pharmaceutical dosage forms. The company also supplies equipment for detergent testing.
Copley’s pharmaceutical product range includes testing equipment for all types of orally inhaled and nasal drug products – metered-dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, nebulisers and nasal products – with a particular focus on solutions for delivered dose uniformity and aerodynamic particle size distribution measurement. It also includes testers for tablets (dissolution, disintegration, friability and hardness) capsules, powders, suppositories, semisolids and transdermals.
Used from R&D through to QC, this extensive range of equipment is supported by a full validation and aftersales service. Copley works in partnership with specialist distributors, extending localised support across the world. This network provides expert help and training to every customer, directly enhancing the application of all Copley products. www.copleyscientific.com
