The Changing Of The Medication World With Prefilled Syringes

The medical field has certainly changed over the years and one of the most important areas that we have seen change, is with the dispensing of medications. Before 1980, prefilled syringes were never seen. Because of the changing of the medication systems all over the world, the prefilled syringes have certainly increased the accuracy in dosing and made it more convenient for the nurses and patients.

Not all medications are made available in prefilled syringes at this time, but some available ones are heparin flushes and normal saline flushes, which are used to flush infusion locks. Posiflush Heparin flushes are available in 3 or 5 ml 10 unit BD heparin lock flush syringes or 100 unit BD heparin lock flush syringes. These syringes are latex and preservative free. They are cost effective alternatives to the vial-based systems. The use of these prefilled syringes allow for better care practices with IV therapy. The Posiflush heparin flushes come 30/box.

Posiflush Sodium Chloride prefilled syringes are available in 3, 5, and 10 ml syringes. These are latex and preservative free and provide convenient, reliable, and cost effective alternatives to the vial based system. These are available 30/box.

These prefilled syringes are not for multiple use. They are for one time use only and then are to be disposed of. The normal prefilled syringe contains the medicine in the syringe section with a plastic cap that covers the needle to prevent contamination and accidental needle sticks. It is very important to follow the protocols of the facility for the use and disposal of these syringes.

The market for the increase in the use of prefilled syringes is growing. The fact that these syringes are disposable and cannot be re-used, has definitely stimulated an interest in increasing the sale of more medications that are prefilled. With the healthy growth of interest in recent years, the pharmaceutical companies are beginning to distribute more and more medications that are in prefilled syringes. More categories, such as vaccines, erythroproteins, interferons, rheumatoid arthritis medications, and blood stimulants are increasingly leaning toward the prefilled syringes, with security being the main reason.

Prefilled syringes provide more patient safety because it helps to prevent needle sticks and also provides less chance of contamination, which usually occurred when medications were being drawn up from vials. The prefilled syringes also help to prevent dosing errors and increase the patient compliance because of the convenience and ease of use. The healthcare reform, with the cost containment and the changing of medical practices, are helping to drive the need for the increase of medications in prefilled syringes.