Hospira Receives Health Canada Regulatory Approval for Symbiq(TM) Infusion System Software Upgrade
By Hospira Inc., PRNEThursday, May 19, 2011
LAKE FOREST, Illinois, May 20, 2011 - — Company upgrading current devices and resuming Symbiq infusion pump
shipments in Canada –
Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), a leading provider of clinical information and
medication delivery technologies, today announced that the company has
received regulatory approval from Health Canada for its software upgrade to
the Symbiq(TM) infusion system
(www.hospira.ca/english/symbiqinfusionsystem.aspx). As a result,
Hospira has resumed shipments of Symbiq pumps in Canada and is working with
current customers in the region to upgrade to the new version of the
software.
"With the upgraded Symbiq infusion system, our goal is to provide
hospitals with one of the most advanced and highest quality infusion pumps
available today," said Gerry Stefanatos, vice president, Canada and Latin
America, Hospira. "This regulatory approval is a testament to the work we've
done to help ensure the robustness, dependability and flexibility of the
Symbiq device. We are now focused on partnering with hospital customers in
Canada who are ready to have their current Symbiq system upgraded and new
infusion pumps implemented."
The upgraded Symbiq software includes modifications to further ensure the
reliability of the device. During the Symbiq modification process, Hospira:
-- enhanced the operational performance of the infusion pump to reflect customer feedback and address recent device field corrections, -- improved the device software to perform consistently across varying infusion pump clinical practices, and -- reevaluated the software design to ensure optimal operation within the product specifications.
The Symbiq infusion system is a technologically advanced infusion pump
with several clinician-friendly features incorporated to help improve
workflow and decrease medication errors. For example, the Symbiq LCD touch
screen — the largest infusion pump screen available — includes intuitive
layouts and touch-activated buttons. This unique touch screen technology also
enables hospitals to add future applications to extend the useful life of the
pump.
With Hospira MedNet(TM)
(www.hospira.ca/english/hospiramednetsoftware.aspx) safety software
built into the device, Symbiq was the first general infusion system designed
to provide additional medication-error protection by requiring users to
select a drug library entry from the safety software for all drug delivery
programs. Due to its highly sophisticated technology, Symbiq is one of the
first devices to achieve I.V. clinical integration of infusion pumps with
electronic health record systems, which can help decrease the number of steps
and time required to program the infusion pump.
About Hospira
Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication
delivery company dedicated to Advancing Wellness(TM). As the world leader in
specialty generic injectable pharmaceuticals, Hospira offers one of the
broadest portfolios of generic acute-care and oncology injectables, as well
as integrated infusion therapy and medication management solutions. Through
its products, Hospira helps improve the safety, cost and productivity of
patient care. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has
approximately 14,000 employees. Learn more at www.hospira.com.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 –
A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements
regarding the upgraded Symbiq infusion system. Hospira cautions that these
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may
cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the
forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory,
legal, technological and other factors that may affect Hospira's operations
and may cause actual results to be materially different from expectations
include the risks, uncertainties and factors discussed under the headings
"Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" in Hospira's latest Annual Report on
Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, which are incorporated by reference. Hospira undertakes no
obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as
the result of subsequent events or developments.
Media, Tareta Adams, +1-224-212-2535, or Financial Community, Karen King, +1-224-212-2711, or Ruth Venning, +1-224-212-2774
Tags: canada, Hospira Inc., Illinois, Lake forest, May 20