Numedico^™ Technologies
Revolutionising Healthcare in the Modern Era

Eliminating the Risk of Needlestick Injury

Needlestick injury continues to be a common work-related hazard among healthcare professionals; it is fair to say that it is a costly epidemic. Statistically, it is frightening! Across the globe, every hour, six people suffer a needlestick injury. Each day, at least three people die as a result of these injuries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that of the 35 million healthcare workers worldwide, two million experience percutaneous exposure incidents to infectious diseases such as Aids, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, each year.

In an effort to reduce this preventable injury and subsequent illnesses, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) passed the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act in 2000, which specified safety requirements for device evaluation and mandated guidelines for a sharps injury log. Despite this, needlestick injuries continue to plague the healthcare community. The most common cause of these injuries is the use of conventional syringes. Once the syringes are used, until a healthcare worker disposes of the needle in a sharps container, it remains exposed and presents an injury and infection risk. The only way to prevent needlestick injuries is to remove the problem at its cause.

To that end, Numedico^™ Technologies, an Australian-based medical devices firm, has introduced a first-of-its-kind high-quality retractable safety syringe, ClickZip^™, which provides valuable protection for healthcare workers, their patients, and others in the community by preventing the spread of disease, infection, and blood-borne pathogens. Neville Calvert, founder and managing director of Numedico, says, “Having been in the healthcare industry for quite some time, we observed the need for healthcare workers, their patients, and the community in general, to be provided with safe, reliable, and, affordable medical devices and equipment. To meet the rising demand—and this is our mission—Numedico offers best-in-class devices created by highly rated, quality-assured manufacturers.”

Numedico’s Rise to Prominence

While Numedico was established in late 2016, the firm’s genesis goes back as far as 1984 when Calvert was involved in disposable hypodermic syringe manufacture. “I wanted to bring a high-quality technically-advanced (fully-automated) manufacturing facility to Australia to replace job loss due to the closure of the iconic GM Holden Motor works in South Australia,” informs Calvert. The lack of safe, patient-friendly, and affordable medical products that minimise the spread of blood-borne diseases in the healthcare community inspired the founding team to develop and pursue a new business idea. However, an unforeseen challenge led the team to reposition the new venture as a safe medical products distributor. “We initiated the process of regulatory approvals for our syringes through the ASEAN region, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. We had a solid capability in trading and fulfillment; we could bring this to high-quality medical products,” adds Calvert.

Fast forward to today, and Numedico is recognised as a leading Australian-based manufacturer of safety medical devices and the manufacturer/distributor of ClickZip^™ Needle Retractable Safety Syringe technology.

The ClickZip^™ branded manual retractable needle range has been specifically designed to be used exactly like a traditional syringe but comes with the added benefit of a manual locking mechanism that ‘clicks’ into place when the needle is fully depressed

Currently, the firm is working on establishing a platform for distribution in the U.S.A., where Calvert believes there is potential for profitable growth for Numedico’s retractable syringes and several other products, and the strategy extends beyond this. “We will start the same process in Europe in early 2021. Establishing production facilities in the U.S. and EU will assist these regions to secure at least a portion of their medical supply chain and enable us to produce closer to our target markets,” affirms Calvert.

Retracting from Traditional Needles

Numedico ClickZip^™ branded manual retractable needle range has been specifically designed to look and work like a traditional syringe that comes with the added benefit of a manual locking mechanism that ‘clicks’ into place when the needle is fully depressed. When the needle is retracted, it is drawn back into the barrel. Once fully retracted, the needle tilts to the side, the barrel plunger is then snapped off, encapsulating the needle safely in the barrel, preventing reuse and needlestick injuries. In addition to this benefit, removing the plunger increases the number of syringes that fit in a sharps container by approximately 70 per cent. “ClickZip^™ is the epitome of a utilitarian product and its design is genius. There are no add-ons, springs or plastic covers hanging on the side,” adds Calvert. The syringe is manufactured with the highest-grade medical plastic, high-grade stainless steel for the triple cut needles, and no latex meaning that patient comfort is optimised.

Exceeding Global Standards

ClickZip^™ meets international standards for medical devices and OSHA recommendations for needlestick safety devices. ClickZip^™ is simple to use, reliable, and has current U.S. FDA 510K and ARTG approval, CE, and ISO certification, making it ideal and safe for various applications, including large-scale immunisation programs, hospitals, and medical clinics. The possibilities and benefits are without limit.

A Leader in Global Medical Technology

ClickZip^™ is only one of Numedico Technologies products, and the firm’s offerings go beyond ClickZip^™ to include retractable safety butterfly needles for blood collection, virus collection and preservation sets, high-quality surgical-grade face masks, and a regulated medical waste management system. Numedico Technologies safety butterfly blood collection needles have an incredibly simple safety mechanism that retracts the needle into a sheath on withdrawal from the patient, thereby removing the needle and reducing the likelihood of needlestick injury.

“The current global pandemic has brought to the forefront the importance of preventing and thus, reducing the spread of infection in the healthcare community,” mentions Calvert.

Not only must appropriate PPE be available to the healthcare workers, but they also require access to the best and safest in class devices.

Reducing Waste for a Safer and Better Environment

With its products, Numedico Technologies is also reducing the need to use landfills or incinerators, particularly for plastic products and regulated waste. In fact, the firm is the sole and exclusive distributor of the Sterilis regulated medical waste (RMW) machine. It can take up to 19 litres of RMW, sterilising, and grinding it into a type of confetti that can be disposed of in the regular trash. Furthermore, Numedico’s labware products, including the virus collection and preservation sets, and the high-quality medical-grade face masks, have been a boon for COVID-19 frontline workers. “Our entire product portfolio is developed around three key characteristics: safety, simplicity in functionality, and affordability. We want the world to have access to high-quality, reliable, safe medical products,” remarks Calvert.

Envisioning a Safer Future

When it comes to the Numedico’s continued success, Calvert affirms it stems from the team’s dedicated efforts and the firm’s committed work culture. “We strive to remain nimble. We aim to always have small teams that have autonomy for their business under the umbrella of the Numedico Technologies brand together with a collective mission, goals and ideals. They develop their own budgets, KPI’s and operating model. Each team designs how they will achieve their objectives,” he cites. “The trust we give and that they earn creates a collaborative and cohesive culture.”

“ClickZip^™ is simple to use, reliable, and has current U.S. FDA 510K and ARTG approval, CE and ISO certification, making it ideal and safe for various applications including large-scale immunisation programs, hospitals, and medical clinic applications globally”

Numedico Technologies shares excellent partnerships with the clients and associates in its business value chain. “Developing a deep relationship throughout our supply chain is first and foremost,” adds Calvert. Notably, Numedico aims to create value through three prongs: by building relationships with those whom they serve through or offer support to the company; providing communities with the products and services they want; and, lastly, providing support to communities in the form of education, collaborations or volunteering.

For the road ahead, the firm has several big plans. On the one hand, the team is working on maintaining the momentum they have built around the brand throughout the pandemic. In the foreseeable future, Numedico Technologies will come up with new product developments and acquisitions. “The world of Medtech is our oyster. We have taken the time and care to build a brilliant and skilled team and will continue to bring in other committed people who want to be a part of our purpose,” states Calvert. “Today, we are focused on small consumable devices; tomorrow we could be providing early intervention to better manage cancer in women. Who knows? We are not bound by fences, rather, free to play where we find people for whom we can make a difference.”