BD announces Viva insulin pen needles as cost-effective option for people with diabetes

Jul 5 2017

Drug Tariff Amendment Reduces Cost of BD Viva™ Pen Needles to £3.64 per Box

On the heels of the Health Service Medical Supplies (Costs) Act of 2017, effective this month, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) announced the BD Viva™ brand of insulin pen needles are now the most cost-effective option for insulin-injecting people with diabetes in the UK.

To accommodate the extreme budgetary pressures on the National Health Service (NHS), BD launched Viva™ pen needles, designed as a cost-effective option for those living with diabetes. BD Viva™ pen needles, manufactured in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, have a highly engineered needle tip design for improved comfort and are designed to deliver the full dose of insulin every time without blockage, clogging or leakage. BD Viva™ pen needles are compatible with all pen injectors for diabetes treatment and are engineered to resist breakage and bending.

“BD wanted to ensure that low-cost options for high-quality pen needles were available for UK residents with diabetes,” said Ken Miller, worldwide president of Diabetes Care for BD. “The BD Viva™ insulin pen needle continues more than 90 years of BD heritage in reducing the burdens and complications experienced by people living with diabetes.”

BD Viva™ pen needles are available in 4 mm/32 gauge, 5 mm/31 gauge, and 8 mm/31 gauge for £3.64 per box. BD will launch a 6 mm/31 gauge option later in 2017. The adjusted drug tariff price makes BD Viva™ pen needles the most cost-effective insulin pen needle option in the UK, according to the July 2017 drug tariff listing.

BD specializes in the development and manufacture of insulin injection devices. The company manufactures billions of pen needles and insulin syringes each year, specifically designed for the delivery of medications for the treatment of diabetes. BD’s ultra-high volume manufacturing processes use the latest high-tech molding, assembly and inspection technologies to reliably produce the highest quality insulin delivery device available. BD manufactures all insulin syringes, pen needles and safety pen needles from virgin raw materials including the needle, plastic components, assemblies, sterilization and distribution.