Cardinal Health Signs Exclusive Agreement with Hemcon Medical Technologies, Inc. to Distribute Hemorrhage Control Bandages in U.S.

Used for years by U.S. military to control bleeding, HemCon® Bandages now available to U.S. health-care professionals as a new weapon to save lives, fight uncontrolled hemorrhage

Cardinal Health, a global provider of products and services that improve the safety and productivity of health care, today announced an exclusive, four-year distribution agreement with HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc. to provide its new line of hemorrhage control bandages to hospitals, surgery centers and physician offices in the United States.

HemCon® Bandages, used by the U.S. military since 2003, have demonstrated a 97% effective rate in controlling bleeding on the battlefield[1]. HemCon recently reengineered its bandages to meet the specific needs of civilian trauma and emergency medicine. The new bandages, which control severe arterial bleeding, are thinner, more flexible and sized differently than the original HemCon military bandage. The technology used in the bandages is particularly useful in hospital settings, because it allows providers to standardize one hemorrhage control solution across multiple disciplines.

“The U.S. military has used our bandages to save soldiers’ lives for years, so we’re excited to now form this exclusive partnership with Cardinal Health to bring this life-saving technology to the United States civilian sector as well,” said John W. Morgan, president and CEO of HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc. “Cardinal Health’s extensive clinical expertise and strong hospital relationships made it the ideal partner to bring HemCon’s innovative technology to the U.S. health-care market. This partnership will allow a higher standard of care that will benefit both clinicians and patients.”

Using Chitosan, an extract from shrimp shells, the HemCon® Bandage controls moderate to severe external bleeding within minutes of being applied directly to moderate- or high-pressure, high-flow external bleeds. It aggressively adheres to the site when it contacts blood or moisture. This adhesive-like action forms a strong, flexible barrier that seals and stabilizes the wound.

“Uncontrolled bleeding is the second leading cause of death in the United States, after trauma[2], and more than six million bleeding wounds are treated annually by trauma and emergency rooms in the U.S.[3],” said Mike Kaufmann, president of Healthcare Supply Chain Services – Medical for Cardinal Health. “That’s just one reason why we are thrilled to have the exclusive opportunity to bring this life-saving product to health-care providers throughout the United States. This partnership is a perfect example of Cardinal Health’s commitment to delivering innovative products that improve patient outcomes.”

By directly controlling blood loss, even in the case of severed arterial bleeds, HemCon® Bandages reduce the need for transfusions and provide critical time to administer care (up to 48 hours from the point of placement).

HemCon’s new bandages are available in a variety of sizes, have a three-year shelf life and are latex-free. These sizes were chosen to specifically address the wounds seen in civilian emergency and trauma cases such as lacerations, knife injuries, motor vehicle accidents and gunshot wounds. In addition to being useful in the emergency room, HemCon Bandages are also useful in cardiac catheterization and interventional radiology settings.

The products will be co-labeled by HemCon and Cardinal Health, and will be available through Cardinal Health hospital supply distribution and in Presource® kits and trays. For product information, Cardinal Health customers should contact their hospital supply sales representative. Information is also available by calling Cardinal Health at 847-689-6459.