Fuente: © Johnson & Johnson
http://www.jnj.com/

J&J: Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Launches Three Assays For Drug Abuse Diagnosis

/noticias.info/ Raritan, NJ – Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson & Johnson company, announces the worldwide availability of three new MicroTip™ assays for use in the diagnosis and treatment of drug use or overdose. The assays are used to detect the presence in urine of the following substances:

Amphetamines (AMPH)

Cocaine Metabolites (COCM)

Phencyclidine (PCP)

These VITROS® Chemistry Products reagents are used on the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics VITROS® 5,1 FS Chemistry System. The new assays allow the consolidation of drugs of abuse testing (DAT) with routine chemistry testing on a single platform using the VITROS® 5,1 FS System.

Amphetamines, also known as "speed" and "uppers," are a group of drugs that suppress appetite and produce central nervous system and cardiovascular stimulation. Cocaine, also known as "crack," is a potent, naturally occurring central nervous system stimulant and local anesthetic. Phencyclidine, also known as "angel dust," is a synthetic drug with potent hallucinogenic effects.

Drug abuse is a major problem around the world. The World Health Organization estimates that some 200,000 people died because of drug abuse in the year 2000, equivalent to 0.4 percent of all deaths worldwide.1 In the U.S. alone, there were an estimated two million drug-related emergency room visits in 2004.2 Substance abuse puts a significant financial burden on the health care system every year. It is estimated that in 2000, drug abuse in the U.S. represented nearly $13 billion in health care costs.3

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics is planning to expand the group of DAT assays offered on the VITROS® 5,1 FS Chemistry System with future launches of assays for barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opiates and cannabinoids. These assays are pending FDA clearance. In addition, a MicroTip™ assay for methadone is being readied for launch in the first quarter of 2007.

These latest product launches increase the MicroTip™ assay menu that Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics has introduced for use on the VITROS® 5,1 FS Chemistry System since October 2004 to a total of 29 new assays. VITROS® MicroTip™ technology provides an extended menu of proteins, therapeutic drugs, cardiac, diabetes and other critical assays. MicroTip™ technology is unique in that assays are processed using disposable tips and cuvettes, which eliminates sample and reagent carryover. In addition, MicroTip™ technology reduces the maintenance associated with other wet chemistry analyzers. Costs associated with water, plumbing, fixed probes, mixing assemblies, liquid waste management and compliance with local waste disposal regulations are reduced.

About Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson & Johnson company, is a leading provider of high-value diagnostic solutions for the global health care community. Committed to developing the most advanced tests for early detection or diagnosis of disease, the company brings products to market that provide timely information and help to facilitate better medical decisions. Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics also provides blood screening and typing products that help to ensure the safety of the world's blood supply. In addition, through its VITROS® MicroSlide™ and enhanced chemiluminescence technologies, the company has transformed the way that clinical laboratories perform testing. Worldwide, health care professionals rely on Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics for innovative diagnostic solutions and services that promote effective diagnoses and enhance patient care. For more information, visit www.orthoclinical.com.

1 United Nations Information Service

2 http://DAWNinfo.samhsa.gov/

3 National Institute on Drug Abuse notas_de_prensa_archivo