Kinetic Concepts (KCI) has received reimbursement approval from Japan’s Health Insurance Bureau for the use of VAC ATS Therapy System for healing advanced wounds.
The approval signifies an advancement of plans for advanced wound care market launch in April and follows Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s decision in November 2009 to grant final regulatory approval for the product.
KCI said that the decision provides reimbursement coverage to physicians and hospitals for using the VAC ATS Therapy System on patients suffering from severe wounds. It is a product of KCI’s Active Healing Solutions division, that promotes wound healing through Negative Pressure Wound Therapy.
Catherine Burzik, president and CEO of KCI, said: “Japan represents an important and underserved market for advanced wound care. This reimbursement decision serves as a milestone as we plan for market launch and first patient placements in early April. We are pleased that the Japanese government has recognized the clinical value of our V.A.C. Therapy for patients, and the people of KCI are committed to helping physicians and nurses improve the lives of wound care patients in Japan.”
Added Mike Genau, global president of active healing solutions at KCI, said: “We see tremendous opportunity to serve patients across the Asia Pacific region, and we’re proud to bring our V.A.C. Therapy to help patients in Japan heal faster. Our clinical trial in Japan clearly demonstrated the benefit V.A.C. Therapy will bring to patients and the Japanese healthcare system. We look forward to our work in Japan and continue to invest significant resources to create a long-term presence in the country.”