The medtech industry's commitment to minimising the harmful environmental effects of DEHP or phthalate products has been strengthened by the global medication delivery company Hospira, Inc.

Hospira will make its portfolio of non-DEHP intravenous (IV) administration sets standard for its customers.

This step coincides with the CleanMed global conference on environmentally sustainable healthcare in Baltimore.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP is a plasticiser or softener often used in the manufacture of medical products such as IV bags and tubes used to deliver medications. It was recommended in 2002 that alternatives to DEHP-plasticised devices be used where possible, due to its harmful impact on the environment.

Hospira first introduced non-DEHP sets several years ago, and will have discontinued the vast majority of DEHP sets by early 2011.

"By transitioning to non-DEHP sets, Hospira contributes to a cleaner environment, maintains the highest level of patient safety and helps hospitals simplify their inventory management by standardising Hospira's non-DEHP product line," said Thomas Moore, President, US, Hospira. "Our customers have made it clear that they want non-DEHP products, and we're committed to meet this need."

Hospira's strategy has been endorsed by Abington Memorial Hospital in Pensylvania. The hospital's Chief Operating Officer, Meg McGoldrick, commented: "The more we looked into it, the more we knew it was the right thing to do - for our patients and the environment."

Hospira, Inc. is based in Illinois, USA.