Global medical technology company Becton Dickinson today announced the reintroduction of its diabetes care product the BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle to Australia.

The original BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle, used for injecting diabetes medication, was replaced by the BD Ultra-Fine™ PRO 4mm Pen Needle last year.

However, global demand for the BD Ultra-Fine™ PRO 4mm Pen Needle has continued to grow since its launch and BD is now working to increase production. 

To ensure ongoing supply to Australia while stock production of the BD Ultra-Fine™ PRO 4mm Pen Needle is increased, BD is proactively reintroducing the original BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle.

This decision reflects BD’s priority of ensuring people with diabetes have continuous access to the needle technology they rely upon to help optimise their treatment outcomes.

The original BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle and the BD Ultra-Fine™ PRO 4mm Pen Needle have the same 4mm, 32-gauge needle featuring EasyFlow™ Technology and a 5-bevel needle tip which will provide a seamless transition for healthcare professionals and their patients. Both pen needles are compatible with leading brands of diabetes medication pen devices.

The original BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle is suitable for adults, children, people who are overweight and those with limited hand strength. 

“At BD, we understand the importance of having access to medical devices people rely upon,” said David Zilm, Country General Manager.

“People living with diabetes have enough to worry about without wondering if the needle technology they prefer will be available.

It’s for this reason we are proactively reintroducing the original BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle. This will ensure ongoing uninterrupted stock supply to people living with diabetes.”

The injection technique is the same for both pen needles, including correct selection and rotation of injection sites, injecting at 90 degrees and always using a new needle for every injection.

The original BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle will be listed on the NDSS Product Schedule from 1st April (NDSS Product Code 266) and is expected to be available on Australian pharmacy shelves from April.

Background:

• The original BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle was first launched in Australia in 2015 and features a 4mm needle length, EasyFlow™ Technology and a 5-bevel needle tip, making it BD’s smallest, thinnest needle suitable for most people with diabetes. 1,2
   
• In April 2019, the BD Ultra-Fine™ PRO 4mm Pen Needle was launched featuring a 4mm needle length, EasyFlow™ Technology and a 5-bevel needle tip, with the addition of a wide outer cap and ergonomic grips to make attaching and removing the pen needle from a pen device easier. 3#
   
• Both pen needles feature a 4mm, 32-gauge needle, EasyFlow™ Technology and a 5-bevel needle tip, providing a seamless transition for healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes. Both pen needles feature an extra thin wall which increases the flow rate of insulin and requires less effort and time to inject medication. The 5-bevel needle tip ensures a more gentle and comfortable injection experience. 2,4#
   
• To meet stock supply demands in Australia, BD will proactively reintroduce the original BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle to replace the BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm PRO Pen Needle. The original BD Ultra-Fine™ 4mm Pen Needle will be listed on the NDSS Product Schedule from 1st April (NDSS Product Code 266) and is expected to be available on Australian pharmacy shelves from April, subject to demand.
   

# Compared to standard BD 3-bevel pen needles.

About BD

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care.

The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of healthcare by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for healthcare providers.

BD and its 65,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics.

BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organisations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues.

By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to healthcare.

In 2017, BD welcomed C. R. Bard and its products into the BD family. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com

References:

1. Aronson R, Gibney, Oza K. et al. Clin Ther. 2013; 35: 923–933.
2. Hirsch L, Gibney M, Berube J, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2012; 6(2): 328-335.
3. Results from a BD sponsored, non-blinded, randomized, home-use, 2-period crossover, patient preference study with patients currently using 32G pen needles; 39.6% had no preference. Total of 225 paid participants; superiority was established with each subgroup.
4. Lo Presti D, Ingegnosi C, Strauss K. Pediatr Diabetes. 2012; 13(7): 525-533.