New Updates
Clinical trial shows Comvita Medihoney™ eradicates MRSA from chronic venous ulcers

Medihoney™ antibacterial Leptospermum (Manuka) honey eradicates MRSA from 70% of chronic venous ulcers and stimulates healing in chronic wounds

Superbug – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to dominate global headlines as a formidable hospital-acquired infection, killing thousands of patients each year and becoming a huge burden on healthcare costs.

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) compared the bacteriological effects of Manuka honey with hydrogel, after four weeks 70% of the honey treated wounds versus 16% of the hydrogel treated wounds had MRSA eradicated.

Published in this month’s Journal of Wound Care, the research paper “Bacteriological changes in sloughy venous leg ulcers treated with Manuka honey or hydrogel: an RCT,” was written by Georgina T. Gethin and Seamus Cowman, both of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. They concluded that for sloughy venous ulcers, “the efficacy of honey in eliminating MRSA in such wounds is a positive finding that may have implications for wound management and infection control.”

The authors also concluded that the use of Manuka honey was associated with a significant reduction in wound pain after one week.

A second research paper was published in the current edition of the International Wound Journal and distributed to the attendees of the recent World Union of Wound Healing Societies conference, held in Toronto. This paper "The impact of Manuka honey dressings on the surface pH of chronic wounds," shows that the use of Medihoney™ alginate dressings is associated with a reduction in wound size, possibly driven in part by a significant reduction in overall wound pH.

The authors cite their rationale for researching pH modulation in chronic wounds as follows: "Chronic non-healing wounds have an elevated alkaline environment.” The authors went on to say “Lowering wound pH can potentially reduce protease activity, increase fibroblast activity and increase oxygen release, consequently aiding wound healing."

Anthony Moloney, Comvita General Manager - Medical, says “It’s exciting to see leading international clinical research building the evidence for Medihoney products.

The authors evaluated the progression of 20 non-healing ulcers of various aetiologies following application of the dressings over a period of two weeks. The dressings were provided by Comvita.

After two weeks of treatment with the dressings, the authors concluded that, for this group of previously non-healing ulcers, "the use of Manuka honey dressings was associated with a statistically significant decrease in wound pH and a reduction in wound size." Significant wound progression during a two-week period is noted as a strong predictor of good wound healing outcomes.

A MedMarket Diligence report published in November 2007¹ states “the worldwide wound management market stood at $4.6 billion in 2007 and will reach $11.5 billion by 2016.

“Dressings with high therapeutic value are set to dominate the growth in advanced wound care” said Moloney. “ These studies show that Medihoney dressings can both clear wounds of drug resistant bacteria and stimulate healing of non healing chronic wounds making these dressings amongst the best available in advanced wound care.”

-End-

¹ Report #245:”Worldwide Wound Management, 2007-2016: Established and Emerging Products, Technologies and Markets in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Rest of World.” November 2007 by MedMarket Diligence, LLC.

What is a chronic wound?
A chronic wound is a wound that does not heal in an orderly set of stages and in a predictable amount of time the way most wounds do; wounds that do not heal within three months are often considered chronic (Wikipedia.)

What is slough?
Slough is the formation of a viscous, predominantly yellow layer of tissue.

END



Medihoney™ Barrier Cream on UK Drug Tariff

Media Release
1st July 2008 
Medihoney™ Barrier Cream 50g Tube on FP10 from 1st July 2008

Medihoney™ Barrier Cream helps maintain the skin’s barrier properties, skin moisture and pH. It is now available on Drug Tariff.

Medihoney™ Barrier Cream can be applied to intact and at-risk skin to provide protection from body fluids and moisture. It can be used around wounds and under skin folds where a protective barrier will help prevent skin breakdown.  The Cream can also be applied under wound dressings and incontinence pads where the skin can be at-risk of damage.

An increase in the skin’s pH can allow normally harmless enzymes to breakdown the skin and provide a more favourable environment for infecting bacteria.  The use of Medihoney™ Barrier Cream helps to maintain the skin's protective pH.

Medihoney™ wound care products from Comvita, the worlds’ largest producer of Leptospermum sp. honey, are supported by over 15 years of international research. Launched in 1999, Medihoney™ products were the first products containing medical honey developed specifically for advanced wound care. A recent study published in the Journal of Wound Care2 concluded that Leptospermum sp. honey supplied by Comvita was "effective in eradicating MRSA from 70% of venous ulcers”.

Medihoney™ Barrier Cream is specially formulated with a range of natural ingredients including 30% Antibacterial Honey to help maintain the skin’s natural barrier.

-Ends-

1 Gethin G et al; International Wound Journal 2008 Jun; 5(2):185-94.

2 Gethin G et al; Journal of Wound Care 2008 Jun; 17(6): 241-247

Contact:
Jane Scott
Medihoney (Europe) Ltd
UK Toll free: 0800 071 3912
Int Tel: +44 1753 70 1617

Notes for Editors:
Medihoney™ Barrier Cream 50g will be available from 1st July 2008 and  listed in the Drug Tariff in part IXC, Skin Fillers & Protectives - PIP COD E 338 -7644

Indications for Use:
·         Protects at-risk skin from breakdown associated with incontinence and can be used under incontinence pads

·         Can be used around wound edges to protect the skin from irritation or breakdown caused by wound exudate

·         Helps protect the skin from damage caused by friction or shear

·         Helps prevent maceration

·         Helps prevent excoriation

·         Helps maintain the skin pH

·         Helps prevent damage to skin caused by frequent hand washing.

About Medihoney™:
Medihoney™ products are setting new standards in advanced wound care. With current international research showing up to 28% reduction in healing times over conventional dressings3 along with a significant reduction in wound pH4, the evidence has never been more compelling.  Comvita, owner of Medihoney is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of Leptospermum sp (Manuka) honey. A recent study published in the Journal of Wound Care concluded that Leptospermum sp honey supplied by Comvita was "effective in eradicating MRSA from 70% of venous ulcers."5 Few advanced wound care products can match its broad range of uses and still be suitable for long term use on some of our most vulnerable patients. Medihoney products have been cleared by the FDA for sales into the US medical market and have European CE mark conformity assessment.

3  Date on File

4  Gethin G et al; International Wound Journal 2008 Jun;5(2):185-94

5  Gethin G et al; Journal of Wound Care 2008 Jun; 17(6): 241-247

www.medihoney.com


Clinical trial shows Comvita Medihoney™ eradicates MRSA from chronic venous ulcers

Medihoney™ antibacterial Leptospermum (Manuka) honey eradicates MRSA from 70% of chronic venous ulcers and stimulates healing in chronic wounds

Superbug – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to dominate global headlines as a formidable hospital-acquired infection, killing thousands of patients each year and becoming a huge burden on healthcare costs.

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) compared the bacteriological effects of Manuka honey with hydrogel, after four weeks 70% of the honey treated wounds versus 16% of the hydrogel treated wounds had MRSA eradicated.

Published in this month’s Journal of Wound Care, the research paper “Bacteriological changes in sloughy venous leg ulcers treated with Manuka honey or hydrogel: an RCT,” was written by Georgina T. Gethin and Seamus Cowman, both of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. They concluded that for sloughy venous ulcers, “the efficacy of honey in eliminating MRSA in such wounds is a positive finding that may have implications for wound management and infection control.”

The authors also concluded that the use of Manuka honey was associated with a significant reduction in wound pain after one week.

A second research paper was published in the current edition of the International Wound Journal and distributed to the attendees of the recent World Union of Wound Healing Societies conference, held in Toronto. This paper "The impact of Manuka honey dressings on the surface pH of chronic wounds," shows that the use of Medihoney™ alginate dressings is associated with a reduction in wound size, possibly driven in part by a significant reduction in overall wound pH.

The authors cite their rationale for researching pH modulation in chronic wounds as follows: "Chronic non-healing wounds have an elevated alkaline environment.” The authors went on to say “Lowering wound pH can potentially reduce protease activity, increase fibroblast activity and increase oxygen release, consequently aiding wound healing."

Anthony Moloney, Comvita General Manager - Medical, says “It’s exciting to see leading international clinical research building the evidence for Medihoney products.

The authors evaluated the progression of 20 non-healing ulcers of various aetiologies following application of the dressings over a period of two weeks. The dressings were provided by Comvita.

After two weeks of treatment with the dressings, the authors concluded that, for this group of previously non-healing ulcers, "the use of Manuka honey dressings was associated with a statistically significant decrease in wound pH and a reduction in wound size." Significant wound progression during a two-week period is noted as a strong predictor of good wound healing outcomes.

A MedMarket Diligence report published in November 2007¹ states “the worldwide wound management market stood at $4.6 billion in 2007 and will reach $11.5 billion by 2016.

“Dressings with high therapeutic value are set to dominate the growth in advanced wound care” said Moloney. “ These studies show that Medihoney dressings can both clear wounds of drug resistant bacteria and stimulate healing of non healing chronic wounds making these dressings amongst the best available in advanced wound care.”

-End-

¹ Report #245:”Worldwide Wound Management, 2007-2016: Established and Emerging Products, Technologies and Markets in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Rest of World.” November 2007 by MedMarket Diligence, LLC.

END