the competition and margins, page-2

Tesco happy to help,

You need to read a few of the current independant reports available from the UNI web site. Once you do its obvious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

here is a sample from the SEC filing.


OSHA differentiates safety features in two primary ways. First, it differentiates passive safety features which “remain in effect before, during and after use” from active devices which “require the worker to activate the safety mechanism”. Second, OSHA regulations state that products with an “integrated safety design that is an integral part of the device and cannot be removed” are usually preferred to those with an accessory safety device with safety features that are “external” and “dependent on employee compliance.”

We believe the majority of safety syringe products used in U.S. healthcare facilities incorporate active safety features which are not fully integrated within the barrel of the syringe.
We are not aware of any prefilled syringe with passive safety features that are integrated within the glass barrel. To improve compliance with legislation such as the FNSPA, a number of pharmaceutical companies attach ancillary safety products onto standard prefilled syringes following dose filling and prior to packaging. We estimate that approximately half of the drugs currently available in prefilled syringe format are supplied by the pharmaceutical manufacturer with an ancillary safety device. The majority of these ancillary safety products slide an external plastic sheath or guard over the needle once the injection has been completed.
It is costly for pharmaceutical companies to purchase these ancillary safety products and the automated assembly systems required to attach them onto a standard prefilled syringe. The relatively large size of prefilled syringes supplied with an ancillary safety device can also significantly increase the shipment and packaging costs of pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, some of these prefilled syringes supplied with an ancillary safety device must be removed from the patient prior to activation, creating the risk of infection via needlestick injury or aerosol (splatter). Thus, we believe that there is a significant market opportunity for a prefilled syringe with passive and integrated safety features that is compatible with pharmaceutical companies’ drug filling systems.
We also believe there are significant market opportunities for the use of conventional and prefilled safety syringes outside of mainstream healthcare facilities. In addition to insulin, a range of other injectable drugs designed for the prevention and/or treatment of chronic or debilitating conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis and thrombosis are now available for self-administration. We believe the popularity of safety syringes among patients who self-administer prescription medication may increase due to their capacity to prevent needlestick injuries to family members and encourage safe, convenient disposal. When purchased with a prescription, a number of insurance providers in the U.S. now cover safety insulin syringes under the same tier level for reimbursement as standard insulin syringes.