Hemophiliac self-infusion kits introduced

A new tool has been developed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals to help hemophiliacs learn the art of self-infusion. The company is making the Self-Infusion Training Kit available at no cost to hemophilia treatment centers around the nation in an attempt to educate young people with the disorder and their families. The life-sized hand and elbow models allow patients to feel for a vein, insert a butterfly needle, and infuse a mock product into the vein; the models also feature replaceable artificial skin and veins that allow for repeated practice. Wyeth's ReFacto Antihemophilic Factor (recombinant), which often requires self-infusion, is indicated for control and prevention of hemorrhagic episodes and for surgical prophylaxis and short-term routine prophylaxis to reduce the frequency of spontaneous bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A. Replacement skin and veins for use with the models are available from Wyeth representatives.

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