A cost-effective technology for relief of bedsores or pressure ulcers from a UK company will be made available to over 2 million sufferers in the USA through a new distribution agreement.
Hampshire-based APA Parafricta has signed an exclusive agreement with Invista, the company responsible for the Lycra brand.
Invista has formed a specialist team comprising US and UK staff, including a US marketing expert with medical experience, to promote the Parafricta range.
The global distribution agreement covers the products within the Pf Fragile Skin Protection System. The Parafricta low-friction fabric helps to prevent ‘stiction’ (skin tears caused by fabric movement) that can lead to or aggravate bedsores. The fabric is incorporated in durable, affordable clothing items that can be washed at high temperatures.
The need for a reduction in bedsore incidence in hospital and residential care and homecare has been shown by NHS initiatives such as ‘No Needless Skin Breakdown’ (Patient Safety Federation).
“This extended distribution agreement is very important for us to reach the US healthcare markets at a critical time,” said Mike Clark, Chairman of APA Parafricta Ltd. “Recent policy changes by Medicare and Medicaid mean that ‘institution acquired’ problems such as pressure ulcers will no longer be covered. We will work with Invista to expand the product reach, providing an economical solution to this critical problem.”
Cortlandt Minnich, New Business Development Director of Invista, commented: “We look forward to launching Parafricta products in the US, bringing an elegantly simple solution to an old problem. Our capabilities in distributing technical fibers combined with the experience that Parafricta has gained in the UK are a great foundation for this launch.”
APA Parafricta is based in Newport Pagnell.
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