KOLDING, Denmark, Nov. 9, 2011 — Bestnet A/S announced today that it is signaling its entrance into the market for infectious disease control products with the immediate launch of Yellowone Needle Cap. Yellowone Needle Cap is a patented lid, which inexpensively and easily converts regular soda cans into safe and permanent disposal containers for used luer syringe needles.
According to the World Health Organization, the re-use of contaminated needles and inadvertent needle sticks are estimated to be responsible for more than 1.3 million deaths annually. "Bestnet's primary mission is to save lives in the Third World countries, and therefore we are constantly working on developing innovative and intelligent new products that offer safe and cost-efficient solutions to disease control efforts. The improper disposal of used syringe needles serves as a powerful engine that allows infections and can transmit deadly diseases. The unique design of Yellowone Needle Cap will significantly reduce needle sticks and the re-use of needles, by offering a safe and permanent solution to the disposal of used luer syringe needles," said Trine Sig, Managing Director of Bestnet.
Yellowone Needle Cap was developed and patented by industrial designer Han Pham. Her unique invention won the design prize Index Award in the People's Choice category in 2007, touted by organizers as the world's largest design prize. Subsequently, Yellowone Needle Cap has been entered into the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and is also exhibited at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Bestnet also announced that it has recently signed a distribution agreement with imakers International A/S in Aabenraa, Denmark to market and sell Yellowone Needle Cap. The agreement focuses on the product's use in Third World countries where Bestnet is already a leader in the vector borne disease control market through the sale of Netprotect® Long Lasting Insecticide Incorporated Mosquito Nets (LLINs). However, preliminary market research studies by Bestnet show that the product is a desirable, cost-effective and portable solution for use wherever and whenever safe and effective luer syringe needle disposal is a concern.
Safe disposal of used needles is a problem, especially in the Third World countries, because used needles and syringes have value. This means that when they are improperly disposed of, the world's poorest may see an opportunity to earn an income by collecting and selling these unsecured used syringes and needles. According to Han Pham, "The used needles lie in open garbage cans, or are even thrown out of the window after use, for anyone to collect. It is dangerous, not only for those who pick them up, but also for the patients that will be injected by potentially infectious syringes that are recycled into use."
"There are currently about 20 different types of needle disposal containers in the world, but none of them are as effective as Yellowone Needle Cap," said Han Pham. Regarding this unique invention, Pham continued, "The problem with the solutions that already are on the market is that they either need maintenance, they lack resources or even require too many resources for proper disposal to occur. My research shows that needle disposal containers need to be cheap, easy to use and secure. That is also the conclusion in all of the reports that WHO has published."
About Bestnet A/S
Bestnet A/S, the manufacturer of Netprotect® Long Lasting Insecticide Incorporated Mosquito Nets (LLINs), supports the many ministries of health and relief organizations worldwide that are working toward the goal of eventually eliminating malaria. Each year, over 1 million people die from malaria, even though the disease is completely preventable and treatable. Sadly, most of these deaths occur in pregnant women and in children under the age of 5.
Bestnet is thoroughly immersed in capacity building throughout the world and is currently producing more than 3 million Netprotect® LLINs per month at their facilities in China, India and Africa.
More information about Bestnet A/S and Yellowone Needle Cap is available at: http://www.bestneteurope.com or by contacting Bestnet Managing Director Trine Angeline Sig at Email, mob.: +45 2826 2600.
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