Sep 17 2013
On the 25th anniversary of the first RIVA announcement in Winnipeg [1989], Health Robotics thought appropriate and timely to review the 25-year history of the IV Automation and IV Robotics sectors, major milestones, industry consolidation moves and acquisitions, and the effect of new companies entering the Automation sector and 2nd generation products changing the competitive landscape.
Gaspar DeViedma, Health Robotics' Executive Vice President stated: "It is not unexpected that after Health Robotics reached 500 global installations and 80-90% global market share [with its open IV consumables design for the vast majority of IV Bags, Syringes, etc.], some large industry players such as BD, Fresenius Kabi, Baxter, ICU, entered the sector with at best, partially-automated products to protect revenues of their proprietary IV consumables. In my opinion, pharmacists should exercise a "buyer-beware" attitude in their purchasing decisions and conduct extensive due diligence with "apples to apples" comparisons between proprietary semi-automated IV products and Health Robotics' fully-automated solutions."
Just as an example, Fresenius Kabi [after their 4-year old failed RIVA installation], acquired semi-automated MDS and selectively market it in some countries while of course requiring separate laminar airflow hoods or isolators for its operation: http://www.health-robotics.com/en/competition/ivstation-onco-vs-fresenius-pharmahelp/
In parallel, Loccioni and most of the individuals [management and salespeople] that were responsible for the now-settled Devon Robotics' litigation with hospitals are attempting to sell a copy of the old semi-automated CytoCare, by changing its label to APOTECAchemo, with an "apples and oranges" comparison available at: http://www.health-robotics.com/en/competition/ivstation-onco-vs-loccioni-apoteca/
Health Robotics will continue to add/or update side-by-side competitive analysis comparisons on an ongoing basis in a continuous effort to make buyers beware.