BD Medical, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, has launched the Venflon pro- safety IV catheter with safety features against needlestick injury. The product is launched in the wake of studies suggesting that over one million needlestick injuries occur every year worldwide.

The new product, launched in India today, will extend protection against needlestick injuries and minimise the risk due to blood exposure, especially for the health workers. Needlestick injuries can lead to the transmission of fatal blood borne infections including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Studies have found that each year, sharps injuries are responsible for over 65,000 new HBV infections, 16,000 new HCV infections and 1,000 new HIV infections.

According to a study conducted at the Hinduja hospital in Mumbai, most needlestick injuries occur during intravenous line insertion, followed by blood collection and then surgical blade injury and recapping needles, said BD India managing director Ram Sharma after launching the product.

It was launched in Europe two months ago and the Indian subsidiary has brought it now in the Indian markets, considering the need of such technologies here. The company, which also launched a product for patient care a few months back, was looking to introduce more innovative products here, BD Medical general manager Rajnish Rohatgi told Pharmabiz.

The BD Venflon pro-safety catheter has an advanced needle shield design to safeguard healthcare workers from needlestick injuries. Once activated, the needle tip is encapsulated inside the smooth-edged plastic shield, thereby reducing the risk of healthcare workers injuring themselves with the sharp needle tip. In fact, in a recent study conducted in clinics in Europe, over 86 per cent gave BD Venflon pro-safety catheter a more than adequate rating for protection against needlestick injuries.