Accuzyme and Panafil Spray Emulsions Awarded “Ease-of-Use” Commendation
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Healthpoint (Fort Worth, Tex) announces the launch of a new spray emulsion (SE) delivery form for ACCUZYME® (papain, urea) and PANAFIL® (papain, urea, chlorophyllin copper complex sodium). In conjunction with the launch, the Arthritis Foundation awarded the products its “Ease-of-Use” Commendation, recognizing the new delivery form with its user-friendly design. The products are the first wound care treatments to receive this commendation.
The spray emulsion provides a continuous spray, resulting in a “no-touch” application delivery form. Since this treatment does not need to be applied with a tongue applicator, cotton swab, or human hands, the risk of introducing pathogens that could lead to infection or disturbing a healing wound bed are minimized. The SE canisters provide added convenience because the continuous spray allows both healthcare professionals and patients to apply the treatments at a variety of angles, simplifying access to wounds in hard-to-reach locations.
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) recommend the “no-touch” application technique as a strategy for reducing infection risk in difficult-to-heal and chronic wounds.
Call 800-441-8227 or e-mail Sherlene.Bagley@Healthpoint.com for more information. Economic Outcome Analysis Data on ZYVOX Published The use of ZYVOX (oral/IV linezolid, Pfizer, New York, NY) is associated with cost savings, reduced hospital stay length, and reduced IV therapy duration, according to data published in the June 2006 issue of Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
The study is an economic outcome analysis based on the results of a 2005 study published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy that evaluated the efficacy of ZYVOX versus vancomycin in the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs), including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Significant findings include the following:
• Overall, cost was lower by $873 in the ZYVOX-treated intent-to-treat (ITT) population and by $1,125 in the ZYVOX-treated MRSA population versus those treated with vancomycin
• IV therapy duration was significantly less in ZYVOX-treated patients compared with those receiving vancomycin—on average, 7–11 days less in both the ITT and MRSA study populations
• ZYVOX treatment resulted in a reduction of 2–3 days in hospital stay length compared to vancomycin treatment.
Visit http://www.zyvox.com for more information.
European Tissue Repair Society Hosts 16th Annual Meeting The European Tissue Repair Society (ETRS) Annual meeting will be held in Pisa, Italy, September 13–16, 2006. The theme of the conference will be “Innovation in Tissue Repair: From the Lab to the Patient.” The conference will cover such topics as angiogenesis, biofilms, stem cells, tissue engineering, and much more.
The meeting will be preceded by a 1-day event organized by the ETRS that will address all aspects regarding “How to become a wound healer.” Within the ETRS scientific program, delegates will be able to explore topics in a wide range of educational events, from plenary sessions to workshops and satellite symposia. Several sessions will include presentations from young investigators who will participate in the ETRS awards contest.
Social events included in the registration fee are a welcome reception on Wednesday and a special evening and gala dinner including entertainment on Friday.
The ETRS is a non-profit organization founded in 1988. The society aims to promote knowledge and interchange between scientists, healthcare professionals, industry, and other individuals that have an interest in comprehensive tissue repair.
Visit http://www.etrs.org/pisa for more information.
Covalon Technologies’ Patent Application Published Covalon Technologies Ltd. (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) has received notice that its patent application relating to drug-eluting, biodegradable tissue coverings has been published in the United States and in European Union countries.
Medical devices that may benefit from this technology include such configurations as antimicrobial silver ion-releasing and drug-releasing wound dressings, implantable medical devices, and wound closure systems that help reduce hospital-acquired infection. Tissue and vascular coverings that release the drug sirolimus are also useful in reducing neointimal hyperplasia.
The bioerodable polymer matrix is not restricted to a single type of therapeutic or antiseptic agent. The matrix composition is intended to comprise a variety of active agents, including cytostatic agents, such as sirolimus, antibiotics, hormones, growth factors, anti-aging agents, immunosuppressants, anesthetics, and other factors.
Call 905-568-8400 or visit http://www.covalon.com for more information.
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