New Clinical Tests by UK's National Health Service Support PAPNET Test as Primary
Screening Tool for Cervical Cancer PAPNET-R- More Effective, More Efficient
DUBLIN, OHIO (May 15) BUSINESS WIRE -May 15, 1998--NetMed, Inc. (AMEX:
NMD), a developer and marketer of medical and health-related
technologies, announced today that preliminary clinical data released
by the UK's National Health Service (NHS) suggests that primary
PAPNET(R) screening can improve the detection of cervical abnormalities
in women and do so in a more cost-effective manner than manual methods.
The clinical findings were reported by the NHS at the 13th
International Congress of Cytology held recently in Tokyo. The PAPNET
test is a screening device for Pap smears that uses computer technology
to extend the sensitivity of the manual Pap smear.
NHS researchers compared standard microscopic screening of Pap smears
to PAPNET testing in a primary, as opposed to a rescreening, mode. They
found, after reviewing more than 12,000 cervical smears by both
methods, that under normal, laboratory conditions, a cytologist using
the PAPNET test was able to screen smears approximately two and a half
times more rapidly than by use of manual methods. In addition to being
speedier, the PAPNET test proved to be more accurate than manual
screening in detecting "true" negative smears.
David Richards, president and CEO of NetMed said, "It is already well
documented that PAPNET-assisted screening can detect significantly more
abnormal cervical smears than is possible with manual rescreening. This
independent study, sponsored by the U.K.'s leading authority on
healthcare, provides further evidence of the efficacy and cost
effectiveness of the PAPNET technology as a primary screening device.
We believe that women in the U.S. will benefit from the increased
efficiency and accuracy of the PAPNET test once it is approved as a
primary screener of conventional Pap smears and liquid-based slides."
At present, the PAPNET system is approved by the FDA only as a
supplemental test in the rescreening of Pap smears deemed as negative,
or normal, by manual screening. Outside the U.S., especially in Europe,
the PAPNET system has been used as a primary screening tool.
Richards noted that NetMed's partner and licensor of the PAPNET
technology, NSI, planned to apply for FDA approval for primary
screening in the US later this year. "The results in the U.K., as well
as in Europe, encourage us to believe that the U.S. clinical trials
will provide similar results showing PAPNET as an accurate and
cost-effective primary screening tool."
NetMed, Inc., is engaged in the business of acquiring, developing, and
marketing medical and health-related technologies, including the PAPNET
test, which it markets in Ohio and other states under an exclusive
license, and an oxygen concentration device which the company is
developing for the home healthcare market.
Statements which are not historical facts, including statements about
the Company's confidence and strategies, its expectations about new and
existing products, technologies and opportunities, market growth,
demand for and acceptance of new and existing products (including the
PAPNET(R) Testing System) and returns on investments are forward
looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These include,
but are not limited to, the Company's current reliance on a single
product marketed under license from NSI, the corresponding dependence
on NSI's patents and proprietary technology, government regulation,
continuing losses from operations and negative operating cash flow,
limited marketing and sales history, the impact of third-party
reimbursement decisions and other risks detailed in the company's most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other Securities and Exchange
Commission filings. -0- kam/ny* CONTACT: NETMED, INC.
Martin Skala, VP
Bill Gordon, Media Contact
Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc.
212/564-4700
or
Ken Leachman
Vice President, Finance
614/793-9356 KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE
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