SYRINGE TO CURB DISEASE

AN Australian company has perfected what it says is the world’s first
cheap tamper-proof retractable syringe in a bid to curb the
transmission of diseases from drug use and needlestick injuries.

But Retractable Traders now needs state governments, which purchase
syringes for their needle-exchange programmes, to back their project
so their prototype can be put into production.

Company director and designer Craig Thorley said there were about 15
retractable syringe designs in the world, but few had reached the
market because of their cost.

Past designs had focused on the syringe user performing certain tasks
to make the syringe unworkable for other users.

Mr Thorley said his company’s needles operated the same as
conventional syringes, but after the piston had been depressed a
second time the needle was retracted and the syringe capped.

"We are not going to get rid of drug addiction, so for governments
this is the way we have to go," he said. "Our syringe is a one-hit,
one-shot deal."

Queensland Government figures estimate that almost 40 percent of
needles given to drug users are reused.

This sharing of needles has been blamed for high rates of hepatitis B
and C among injecting drug users.

Demand for the government’s Needle Availability Support Programme has
increased by more than 30 percent this year, and will grow by 35
percent next year.

While the retractable needles prevented transmission of diseases
between drug users by preventing the reuse of needles, Mr Thorley said
there was a greater benefit to public safety from using the needles.

"The Government has no idea about how many syringes are left out
there," he said. "The figures from interstate with needle-exchange
programmes show that in some areas 80 to 90 percent of syringes are
returned, but in other areas it is as little as 10 percent."

The expensive manufacturing costs have prevented retractable needles
being adopted in the past, but Mr Thorley said he hoped the simple
design would mean their needle would have a similar production cost to
the conventional needle, which costs around 15c a unit."

Queensland Health Minister Wendy Edmond has asked federal Health
Minister Michael Wooldridge and her state counterparts to contribute
$50,000 to the development of safe retractable needles.

"The aim is to develop a safe retractable needle that meets agreed
national standards," a spokesman for Ms Edmond said.

"Anybody who wants to contribute to that process is encouraged to do
so."

Alcohol and Drug Foundation of Queensland chief executive Bob Aldred
said the prototype was well worth governments looking at because of
the public safety and economic benefits.

"It appears to have more advantages than others have dernonstrated up
to now," he said.

"It will only hold one dose and it will retract without having to go
through any particular procedures when you pull it out."

Mr Aldred said introducing retractable needles would provide many
economic benefits, including reducing the cost of picking up discarded
needles, and reducing health costs related to treating needlestick
injuries.