From Combat To Consumer: New Bandage Stops Bleeding Fast

Main Category: Blood / Hematology
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 06 Mar 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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A new high-performance bandage made from the same blood-stopping technology the U.S. Army uses to save lives on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq is now available to the public. When in direct contact with blood and pressure is applied, the KytoStat™ Bandage does what traditional bandages do not -- stops stubborn bleeding while sealing and protecting the wound. The new bandage offers peace of mind and a new choice in wound care to millions on blood-thinning medications and those who work and play in extreme environments.

"The KytoStat Bandage is a great advancement for consumers who need to stop bleeding fast or risk further complications," said John W. Morgan, HemCon president and CEO. "Since many individuals purchase products online, nationwide availability of the KytoStat Bandage through drugstore.com will provide easy access to KytoStat for millions of consumers."

The 1"x4" KytoStat Bandage is engineered with chitosan, a compound that is naturally occurring in shrimp shells. The proprietary manufacturing process used to create the bandage makes KytoStat 30 times more effective than leading competitors.

"We're proud to be the first national retailer to offer the KytoStat Bandage to consumers," said Julie Johnston, vice president of over-the-counter merchandising. "HemCon's reputation for providing excellent health care solutions on the battlefield and in acute care settings makes the KytoStat Bandage an important addition to first aid kits at home and on the go."

Made by HemCon Medical Technologies Inc., KytoStat is a convenient, effective first response to control stubborn and persistent bleeding. In some cases, KytoStat may be the only first aid needed. For patients with bleeding disorders, like hemophilia or von Willebrand disease, KytoStat provides the ability to personally control bleeding caused by cuts or scrapes, potentially saving a costly trip for professional help. If a wound requires expert care, KytoStat helps buy valuable time to seek medical attention.

According to The Journal of the American Medical Association, more than 50 million adults in the U.S. take aspirin regularly for long-term prevention of cardiovascular disease. Low-dose aspirin regimens interfere with the body's blood clotting ability. In addition, more than 34 million prescriptions were written in the U.S. for oral anticoagulants in 2007, according to IMS Health. KytoStat gives these millions of people control when conditions or medications interfere with an individual's ability to stop external bleeding from cuts, and when medical care isn't close at hand.

KytoStat is available at http://www.drugstore.com and in select Albertsons supermarkets in the U.S.

About KytoStat

KytoStat is the first high-performance bandage for consumers engineered with the natural power of chitosan to rapidly stop bleeding, and seal and protect wounds. It is the first consumer product from HemCon, the makers of the HemCon® Bandage. The HemCon Bandage is currently used by medical professionals in both military as well as civilian hospital, dental and clinical settings. HemCon Medical Technologies Inc. was founded in 2001 and is based in Portland, Ore. For more information about KytoStat, please visit http://www.wherebleedingstops.com. For more information about HemCon, please visit http://www.hemcon.com.

About Drugstore.com, Inc.

drugstore.com, inc. (NASDAQ:DSCM), is a leading online provider of health, beauty, vision, and pharmacy products. Our portfolio of brands includes: drugstore.com™, Beauty.com™ and VisionDirect.com™.

The drugstore.com pharmacy is certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) as a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS) in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations in the United States.

http://www.drugstore.com