Derma Sciences wins FDA approval for Medihoney dressings

This dressing is said to be the first 100% medical grade honey product cleared for use on burns and wounds by the FDA. The product is 100% Active Leptospermum Honey and comes in a 1oz tube with an easy-to-use applicator tip. The other dressings already cleared in the Medihoney line are in calcium alginate and hydrocolloid formats. The newly cleared tube version will be available before the end of the second quarter of 2008.

The new dressing has been shown to lower the pH level of wounds. Much recent attention has been focused on the effect of pH in wounds, and the research suggests that lowering the pH of a wound helps to create an optimal environment for healing. When wound pH is lowered, it has been shown that protease modulation and increased oxygen diffusion take place, both beneficial to hard-to-heal wounds.

Edward Quilty, CEO of Derma Sciences, said: “We expect the tube version to be one of the most popular in the line, due to its ease of use and versatility on a wide variety of wounds. Launch of this and the hydrocolloid dressings over the coming months will help increase our growing base of Medihoney sales.”