PHARMACIA'S PORT-A-CATH: CONTROLLED-RELEASE DRUG DELIVERY is one of several future developments for the implantable injection system cited by Pharmacia's Health Care Group President Franklin Brown Oct. 7 at a Philadelphia health conference sponsored by Robert S. First, Inc. Other upcoming developments for the Port-A-Cath, according to Brown, are "pediatric venous systems, epidural systems, dual lumen systems and dedicated port/external pump systems." Currently, Pharmacia sells two other computerized ambulatory drug delivery pumps -- the Pharmacia/Deltec CADD-I for administration of chemotherapy and other therapeutic fluids, and the Pharmacia/Deltec CADD-PCA for administration of patient-controlled analgesia. "The complete system," Brown explained, "is comprised of the Port-A-Cath totally implantable drug delivery system plus an ambulatory drug delivery pump" such as the CADD-I or CADD-PCA. As of September 1985, Brown told the health analysts, more than 20,000 Port-A-Caths have been implanted in the U.S. In its 1984 annual report the Swedish firm stated that the system, introduced in 1983, has "established itself as the leading injection port in the market." Brown described Port-A-Cath as "a totally implantable, reliable access for repeated intravenous, intra-arterial and intraperitoneal injections and infusions." Advantages of the system over peripheral venipuncture, Brown said, are "preserved peripheral vasculature and significantly lower risk of infection, thrombosis and tissue damage from extravasation." The Pharmacia exec asserted that the system is also preferable to percutaneous catheters because it has "no exteriorized components susceptible to damage" and there is "no need for daily cleansing of drug delivery access site because the Port-A-Cath is totally implanted." Brown added that the system is "compatible with the ]current[ economic trends in health care," since it "can be implanted by outpatient surgery in most cases" and is "eligible for Medicare and other third-party reimbursement." Brown said that the "low maintenance requirements" of the Port-A-Cath system make it applicable for outpatient/home continuous infusion therapy.
Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Pink Sheet for daily insights
Already a subscriber?
Advanz Pharma would have had to show that the European Commission’s decision to revoke Ocaliva’s conditional marketing approval risked causing serious and irreparable harm, according to lawyers from Van Bael & Bellis.
This is your final call to participate in the survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. The deadline is 20 September.
We are conducting a survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. If there are any changes you’d like to see in coverage topics, article format, or the method in which you access the Pink Sheet – or if you love it how it is – now is the time to have your voice heard.
A new pilot aims to take Brazil closer to ‘digital transformation.’
The Belgian Competition Authority has set out guidance on how pharmaceutical companies can share information on combination therapies when seeking their reimbursement.
The new recommendations should not change insurance coverage, but the tone of the meeting frustrated many medical experts, because of the negative comments on the vaccines.
Confusion, inconsistency and strongly held views complicated the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' votes to change vaccine recommendations for the measles, mumps, rubella, varicella vaccine in young children and tabling of a vote on hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
