Auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament (M), comprising - a substantially cylindrical housing arranged to contain a pre-filled syringe filled with the medicament (M), - a needle shroud slibably arranged with respect to the housing and adapted to rest on the skin of a patient receiving an injection, - a releasable drive means arranged within the housing that is capable of, upon release, translating the needle shroud in a proximal direction (P) towards a safe position (PS), - a rotating collar rotatably arranged within the housing , wherein the needle shroud in the safe position (PS) surrounds the injection needle and wherein the needle shroud is slidable in the proximal direction from a retracted position to the safe position, and wherein, in the safe position, the needle shroud surrounds an injection needle of the pre-filled syringe to prevent accidental needle stick injuries after the injection has been carried out, and wherein the rotating collar engages the needle shroud in a manner that forces the rotating collar to rotate within the housing when the needle shroud is translated in said proximal direction (P) towards the safe position (PS), whereby the rotating collar creates friction to slow down said proximal movement of the needle shroud . - a substantially cylindrical housing arranged to contain a pre-filled syringe filled with the medicament (M), - a needle shroud slibably arranged with respect to the housing and adapted to rest on the skin of a patient receiving an injection, - a releasable drive means arranged within the housing that is capable of, upon release, translating the needle shroud in a proximal direction (P) towards a safe position (PS), - a rotating collar rotatably arranged within the housing , wherein the needle shroud in the safe position (PS) surrounds the injection needle and wherein the needle shroud is slidable in the proximal direction from a retracted position to the safe position, and wherein, in the safe position, the needle shroud surrounds an injection needle of the pre-filled syringe to prevent accidental needle stick injuries after the injection has been carried out, and wherein the rotating collar engages the needle shroud in a manner that forces the rotating collar to rotate within the housing when the needle shroud is translated in said proximal direction (P) towards the safe position (PS), whereby the rotating collar creates friction to slow down said proximal movement of the needle shroud . wherein the needle shroud in the safe position (PS) surrounds the injection needle and wherein the needle shroud is slidable in the proximal direction from a retracted position to the safe position, and wherein, in the safe position, the needle shroud surrounds an injection needle of the pre-filled syringe to prevent accidental needle stick injuries after the injection has been carried out, and wherein the rotating collar engages the needle shroud in a manner that forces the rotating collar to rotate within the housing when the needle shroud is translated in said proximal direction (P) towards the safe position (PS), whereby the rotating collar creates friction to slow down said proximal movement of the needle shroud . <EOS>