Diabetes management is evolving rapidly in Central Asia, where accessibility, safety, and patient confidence are becoming top priorities. In Uzbekistan, Sandstone has made significant strides with the launch of Easydrip™ Plus, a next-generation insulin pen needle designed to offer comfort, safety, and affordability. Ming Shen, the Regional Director for Eastern Europe at Sandstone, discussed the motivations behind this launch, its impact on local patients, and the company’s broader vision for the region in an interview with Medtech Spectrum. In this conversation, Shen shares insights into the design innovations of Easydrip™ Plus, emphasises the importance of patient education, and outlines Sandstone's plans to expand its presence across Central Asia.
What motivated Sandstone to introduce Easydrip™ Plus in Uzbekistan, and how does this launch fit into your broader regional strategy?
Uzbekistan is seeing a steady rise in the number of people managing diabetes with daily insulin injections—often at home or on the move. Our goal is to make self-injection not just safer, but genuinely easier and more comfortable for patients and caregivers alike.
The launch of Easydrip™ Plus is an important part of our Central Asia strategy: we are partnering with trusted local distributors, ensuring consistent product availability in hospitals and pharmacies, and providing comprehensive patient education resources to help people build long-term confidence with their therapy.
The insulin pen needle market in Uzbekistan has long been divided between expensive international brands and low-quality alternatives. How does Easydrip™ Plus position itself to address this gap?
This is a real challenge for many patients—choosing between premium brands that may be unaffordable for daily use, and budget options where quality or consistency can vary. Easydrip™ Plus is specifically designed to bridge that gap:
We offer premium engineering and robust quality controls—including features usually seen only in higher-end products—while ensuring that pricing remains accessible for regular, everyday use.
Our focus is on delivering reliable comfort and safety, helping more patients access a dependable choice without compromise.
Could you elaborate on the design features—such as the large-platform hub and thin-wall, polished needle—that make Easydrip™ Plus more patient-friendly?
Absolutely—thoughtful design is at the heart of Easydrip™ Plus.
International Design Collaboration: Easydrip™ Plus is the result of close collaboration between our experienced Australian design team and our manufacturing specialists. This partnership ensured that every detail, from the initial concept to the final product, was carefully refined for daily user needs.
Patented Hexagonal Large-Platform Hub: This signature feature has a gently domed, hexagonal platform engineered to increase contact area with the skin. It makes the pen steadier in the hand during attachment and injection, reducing device wobble commonly seen with traditional pen needles. This added stability also plays a role in helping lower the risk of accidental intramuscular injection—a key safety consideration for insulin users.
Thin-Wall, Polished Needle: Ensures smooth, gentle insertion with minimal discomfort, while supporting reliable insulin flow.
Easy-Grip, Oversized Caps: Both the inner and outer caps are designed for a secure grip, especially for users with reduced dexterity, further supporting independent, safe self-injection.
All these elements work together to create a more comfortable, confident injection experience—especially for those managing diabetes every day.
Early feedback highlights comfortable handling and reliable performance. What have patients and clinicians told you so far, and how does this feedback guide your next steps?
We’re encouraged by early feedback from both patients and healthcare professionals:
Patients have reported that the large-platform hub makes handling steadier and more predictable, while the smooth needle design eases anxiety about daily injections.
Clinicians appreciate the improved control, and have noted that features like the easy-grip caps are particularly helpful for elderly or first-time users.
This feedback is shaping our next steps:
We are expanding visual guides and quick-start instructions to make it even easier for new users to adopt best practices.
We are also fine-tuning packaging details and planning to offer additional size options based on local preferences.
Beyond product availability, Sandstone is rolling out education and awareness initiatives. How important is patient and clinician education in ensuring adoption and adherence?
Education is essential—and it is an area where Sandstone is especially strong. We already offer a mature, well-developed library of patient education and market education materials, which we are actively using to support both patients and healthcare providers in Uzbekistan.
Alongside product supply, we provide:
Visual, step-by-step guides for patients and pharmacists
Comprehensive training kits and refresher materials for clinics
Multilingual FAQs covering safe injection technique, site rotation, and disposal
We aim to make daily injection feel manageable—not intimidating—so patients can focus on their well-being, and clinicians can confidently support them throughout their journey.
Looking ahead, do you plan to expand Easydrip™ Plus to other Central Asian markets, and what role will digital channels play?
Yes, we plan to expand Easydrip™ Plus across neighbouring Central Asian countries, working with qualified partners.
Digital channels will be central to this growth:
We are combining pharmacy listings with localised e-commerce options,
Developing short clinician-led explainer videos and micro-tutorials,
Engaging with diabetes influencers and educators to answer common questions and spread awareness about safe self-injection.
Our established educational materials will continue to play a key role as we reach and support more patients across the region.
Shraddha Warde
shraddha.warde@mmactiv.com
