Prevent Needlestick Injuries

PUYALLUP, WA- Tri-Ject International Corporation has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Canada Therapeutic Product Program (TPP) to market a hypodermic syringe with a needle that fully retracts after use. The needle is safely contained in the syringe compartment to prevent accidental needlestick injuries. Developed by Uni-Ject of Australia, the non-reusable ENSI syringes have been widely used in Australia for the last four years. Tri-Ject will import the syringes until they can produce them in the US. The company plans to develop a manufacturing plant in the Washington state area.

The ENSI syringe is more expensive than non-retractable needle syringes, but Tri-Ject hopes legislation requiring safety syringes will work in their favor. Peter Lemin, president and chief executive officer of Tri-Ject stated, "The Occupational, Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and currently over 30 states, including Washington, are reviewing and implementing needlestick prevention legislation, requiring the use of specially designed syringes to protect workers from accidental needlestick injuries. The State of California implemented legislation last July requiring the use of safety syringes, and expects this introduction to reduce such injuries by as much as 80%."