West Pharmaceutical Services and CareFusion will jointly develop and market a new, needle-free vial access device. This initiative is part of a five-year global distribution and supply agreement between the two companies.

The new product, which will be available in late 2011, will be designed to help prevent leaks, as well as reduce surface contamination and risk of exposure during a drug product’s reconstitution process. The system will be based on West’s vented vial adapter in combination with CareFusion’s needle-free connector and closed male luer technologies.

“West is pleased to offer its vented vial adapter technology with CareFusion to develop safer products for patients and caregivers. This new vented-vial access system can be used for transportation, reconstitution and administration of hazardous substances such as chemotherapy, antivirals and other cytotoxic drug products,” said Glen Zimmermann, associate director marketing, West Administration Systems, Americas. “We look forward to working with CareFusion on future development projects.”

“The safety of health care workers is one of our primary concerns,” said Bob Tolliver, director of OEM business development, Infusion for CareFusion. “This innovative component will be a strong addition to our existing portfolio designed to help protect clinicians from accidental exposure to hazardous drugs.”

The companies signed a development and distribution agreement in September 2010 providing West with exclusive worldwide rights to sell the Texium closed male luer to pharmaceutical companies and contract manufacturers as part of a drug kit. West also obtains non-exclusive rights to sell SmartSite in conjunction with Texium.