ABBOTT's ADD-VANTAGE I V. DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM APPROVED BY FDA

ABBOTT's ADD-VANTAGE I V. DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM APPROVED BY FDA on Sept. 11, the company announced in a same-day press release, which noted that three Lilly antibiotics -- - Keflin, Kefzol and Mandol -- - are the first drug products approved for use with the system. "More than 40 additional drugs, manufactured by a number of different companies will be reviewed by FDA for approval to become part of the Add-Vantage system," Abbott said. Other companies that have agreed to use the Add-Vantage system are Burroughs-Wellcome, Beecham, Miles, Hoechst-Roussel, Roche, Upjohn, Wyeth, Bristol, and Lederle. Abbott also indicated its hospital products and pharmaceuticals divisions will offer their I.V. drugs in the system. Abbott said that it intends to begin distribution of Add-Vantage in the U.S. immediately and that the price for the Add-Vantage I.V. container is comparable with its other I.V. containers. In June 1984 Abbott first announced that it would market Add-Vantage, which consists of two components -- - a Mexible plastic I.V. container partially filled with a filuent and a glass vial containing either a powdered or liquid drug. The standardized vials, which are filled by the drug mfr., are covered with a plastic overwrap that is compatable with the I.V. containers, Abbott explained. Because the two components will usually be manufactured at different sites, hospitals will be required to order and match supplies from Abbott and drug mfrs. With the Add-Vantage system, antibiotics and other drugs with a limited shelf life do not have to be mixed until just prior to the time they are administered to a patient, the release notes. "Add-Vantage will enable hospitals to reduce drug waste, often caused by canceled or changed Rxs, and enable the pharmacy to conserve labor, reduce costs and standardize on one system for preparing I.V. drugs."