Terumo Europe responds to broadcast EenVandaag Injection needles pose no health risks for patients

Leuven, Belgium - March 23, 2015

The AVROTROS television programme EenVandaag focuses today on possible residues of glue in injection needles. This would be the result of the use of epoxy glue to fix the metal needle onto the plastic hub of the needle. Epoxy glue is used frequently in the sector of medical devices.

Terumo has given explanation and provided the editors - in all transparency - with all relevant information concerning the production process. EenVandaag however, gives in its broadcast a biased presentation of the facts, and thus incorrectly creates a sense of anxiety with patients.

Epoxy glue is a type of glue that is used frequently in the sector of medical devices to fix the metal needle onto the plastic hub of the needle. It is a proven and widely used technique that has proven its usefulness. As the most of the producers of injection needles, Terumo also uses this technique.

Terumo Europe has, based on own research, found in 2012 that in a number of cases minuscule fluid glue parts do not harden and there is thus a chance that traces of fluid glue parts come into the body through the injection needle.

The product is BADGE (Bisphenol A dyglicidyl ether), which is not considered as CMR (carcinogen, mutagen or toxic for reproduction) by the European regulation. After these findings in 2012, we have launched an internal and external research. These analyses have proven that our injection needlesrepresent no health risk.

Injection needles that are produced by the use of epoxy glue, comply with all the norms and legal requirements. They pose, contrary to what is being insinuated by EenVandaag, hence no health risks to patients.

Patient safety is central to Terumo's activities. The company abides therefore the highest quality norms. The company has immediately taken all necessary measures to inform the Dutch and Belgian authorities.