Equashield Expands Global Footprint With New Canadian Distributor

Innovative OncoSolutions to Distribute Leading Closed System Transfer Devices in Canada; Announcement Comes Shortly After FDA Clears Device under ONB Product Code

PORT WASHINGTON, NY and OAKVILLE, ON, Aug. 12, 2014 /CNW/ - Equashield (http://www.equashield.com), a leading provider of Closed System Transfer Devices (CSTDs) for hazardous drugs, announced today a new exclusive partnership with Canadian distributor Innovative OncoSolutions Inc. Entering the Canadian market continues Equashield's ongoing global expansion, on the heels of signing new distributor deals in Japan, Australia, Austria, and Eastern Europe earlier in 2014.

"We are determined to provide the strongest solutions available for protecting oncology professionals," said Cathy Bratt-Rico, President of Innovative OncoSolutions Inc. "Our goal is for EQUASHIELD^® closed systems to become the standard for any facility in which hazardous drugs are prepared and administered. We are extremely pleased to be working with Equashield, a partner that is attentive to market needs and really understands closed systems."

EQUASHIELD^® recently received FDA clearance under the ONB product code. This code represents that there is no escape of hazardous drug or vapor concentration from the system, no transfer of environmental contaminants into the system, and that it prevents microbial ingress. In particular, Equashield is defined in the FDA labeling as preventing microbial ingress for up to 7 days.

"We are pleased to partner with OncoSolutions to bring our innovative CSTD products to the Canadian market," said Adi Baruch, VP Sales and Business Development at Equashield. "OncoSolutions has extensive experience and relationships in this market and is fortunate to be led by Cathy Bratt-Rico, a pioneer of closed systems.  Cathy introduced CSTDs to Canada 12 years ago, and has been educating nurses and pharmacists ever since."

"When pharmacy directors evaluate CSTDs, the first question they should ask is - is it truly closed? Far too many systems market themselves as closed but really provide only partial protection," said Jim Jorgenson, CEO at Visante and a recognized CSTD expert. "With the introduction of EQUASHIELD^®, professionals in Canada will now have a choice. The more reputable and validated products available on the market, the higher level of safety we can provide to healthcare professionals."

About Equashield  

Equashield is a leading provider of Closed System Transfer Devices (CSTDs), clinically proven to protect healthcare professionals from hazardous drug exposure. The company's flagship device, EQUASHIELD^® II covers more routes of exposure than alternative systems by preventing the contamination of syringe plungers and preventing exposure to drug vapor. No CSTD is faster to deploy or easier to use than EQUASHIELD^® II. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.equashield.com. Follow Equashield on Twitter: @equashield.

About Innovative OncoSolutions 

Innovative OncoSolutions is a Canadian company that is committed to providing cost effective technologies and solutions for use in cancer care providing institutions and/or sterile compounding facilities. Our solutions must enhance the safety and health of patients and healthcare providers. Innovative OncoSolutions Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Equashield® Closed System Transfer Device (CSTD) in Canada. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.oncosolutions.ca

SOURCE: Equashield

Media Contacts: Finn Partners for Equashield: Ellie Hanson, [email protected], EllieSheva@ (https://twitter.com/EllieSheva), [phone]