Wound care firm’s transatlantic deal
CRAWFORD Healthcare, the advanced wound and skin care company, has announced an agreement with the US government’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to supply its products to an estimated nine million veterans in the US.
The Knutsford-based business will now be included as an approved supplier within the VA’s Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), a programme that supports the healthcare acquisition needs of the VA and other government agencies.
Thousands of government healthcare providers in the US will now be able to directly purchase Crawford Healthcare’s market-leading wound dressings, representing a significant coup for the UK-based business.
The announcement comes just days after the rapidly growing company announced a global exclusivity deal to develop its products using Oxysalt, the most clinically effective technology in advanced wound care.
Crawford chief executive Richard Anderson said: “It’s testament to the quality of our offering that Crawford Healthcare advanced wound care dressings will now be included as products available for US military veterans.
“The United States is the largest wound care market in the world, estimated to be worth £25bn per year in medical costs, so it’s an essential part of our long-term growth strategy. Securing this agreement will boost our profile whilst enabling us to have a hugely positive impact on a large group of patients.”
According to VA officials, chronic wound care is of particular importance to the military community with an estimated 25 per cent of US military veterans having diabetes (compared to eight per cent of the total adult population).
Anderson added: “As is the case in the UK, diabetes, rising obesity and old age are all contributing to the growing need for new approaches to wound care in the US. Crawford Healthcare’s rapid international growth to date highlights just how much of a global issue this has become and we expect this deal to further boost our overseas operations.”
