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Top Hospital Suppliers Announce Non-PVC Medical Devices

Hospira, a leading manufacturer of hospital products, is the first to launch a full-service PVC-free, phthalate-free IV container, signaling an important shift in the medical device market toward safer alternatives. Hospira’s new IV container is PVC/DEHP free and weighs 40-60% less than other flexible IV containers, resulting in significant waste reduction. PVC medical devices are a health concern because they contribute to dioxin formation during manufacture and incineration; and during use, the devices can leach the phthalate DEHP, a reproductive toxicant linked to birth defects in laboratory animals. The FDA warned health care providers in 2002 that some patients may be at risk from DEHP leaching from PVC medical devices and recommended switching to alternatives. Baxter International also announced a limited launch of a new specialty PVC-free IV system. Baxter and Hospira are the top two manufacturers of medical devices in the US. Arden Architectural Specialties announced it is phasing out PVC production and introducing a new line of corn-based, bio-polymer blend wall production products. “These developments indicate a significant market shift away from PVC plastic,” said Gary Cohen, co-executive director of Health Care Without Harm, an international coalition working to reduce the environmental impact of the health care industry.” […]

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American Power Conversion Reports Q1 Results

American Power Conversion Corporation (Nasdaq: APCC) announced Q1 revenue of $478.8 million, up 17 percent from $408 million in the first quarter 2005. On a constant currency basis, total company revenue in the first quarter increased 20 percent year-over-year. Net income for the first quarter 2006 was $14.5 million or $0.07 per diluted share, down 60 percent from $36.0 million or $0.18 per diluted share in the first quarter 2005. “We are strategically investing in the areas where APC solutions are delivering substantial benefits to IT and data center managers, particularly related to the power, thermal and network-critical physical infrastructure (NCPI) demands of server and data center implementation. Our strong top line performance illustrates that our solutions and message are on target with the challenges customers are addressing while implementing new data centers in an always on, high-density world,” said Rodger B. Dowdell, Jr., APC’s president and chief executive officer. “The end result of these investments was very strong performance across our principal operating segments and solid growth in all major geographies as the company extended its quarterly double-digit year-over-year revenue growth streak to eleven consecutive quarters. Additionally, InfraStruXure sales continue to provide a growth engine for the company, increasing […]

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