FDA approves Hospira's six new vial presentations of heparin

Sep 1 2009

Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company's applications for six new presentations of therapeutic heparin in single- and multiple-dose vials.

Heparin is used to prevent clot formation in central venous catheters and for anticoagulant (blood thinning) therapy, and is available in numerous delivery systems for different modes of administration. The six new vial presentations of heparin approved by the FDA range in volume from one milliliter to 30 milliliters, and in concentration from 1,000 units per milliliter to 10,000 units per milliliter.

Hospira recognizes the clinical need for this important medication and sought to expand its marketed portfolio of heparin presentations to help meet market demand. With the addition of the new vials, Hospira now offers one of the broadest portfolios of heparin available on the U.S. market, with various sizes and strengths of the product available in syringes, vials and flexible containers.

"Hospira is committed to ensuring patient access to safe and effective supplies of heparin," said Joshua Gordon, vice president, Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Hospira. "These additional presentations will provide our customers a wide range of options to address the continuum of care."