B. Braun Medical Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Piperacillin and Tazobactam for use in the company's DUPLEX Drug Delivery System. This approval represents a significant advancement in the administration of one of the most utilized injectable antibiotics in the United States.
The newly approved delivery system features a ready-to-activate, two-compartment container that keeps pre-measured medication and diluent separate until needed. Healthcare providers can easily prepare the medication at the bedside through a simple fold, squeeze, and shake process to reconstitute the antibiotic.
Efficiency and Safety Improvements
According to company data, the DUPLEX system reduces overall process time by nearly four minutes per dose compared to alternative delivery methods. The system demonstrates substantial labor time savings when compared to both the Baxter Mini-Bag Plus Container System and traditional compounding methods.
"We are excited to introduce Piperacillin and Tazobactam in our innovative DUPLEX Drug Delivery System, designed to save time, labor, and space, and reduce waste," said Jeremy Greene, Senior Director of Marketing at B. Braun Medical. "Enhancing efficiency for nurses and pharmacists aligns with our commitment to providers and the patients they serve."
The DUPLEX system also addresses critical safety concerns in medication administration. Its closed-system design helps protect drug potency and ensures the diluent cannot be delivered without the drug. The streamlined preparation process decreases the likelihood of medication errors by 54% compared to traditional compounding methods due to fewer process steps.
Additional practical benefits include no thawing requirements and the ability to store the system at room temperature or in automated dispensing cabinets. The DUPLEX Container is also manufactured without DEHP or PVC, providing environmental and patient safety advantages.
Clinical Applications
Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection and Sodium Chloride Injection combines piperacillin, a penicillin-class antibacterial, with tazobactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor. The product is indicated for several serious infections, including:
- Intra-abdominal infections
- Nosocomial pneumonia
- Skin and skin structure infections
- Female pelvic infections
- Community-acquired pneumonia
The medication is contraindicated in patients with a history of allergic reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, or beta-lactamase inhibitors.
Strategic Portfolio Expansion
This approval marks B. Braun's second DUPLEX Drug launch in 2025, following the earlier introduction of Cefazolin 3g in the same delivery system. The company has indicated plans to launch additional injectable drugs in the United States over the next several years as part of a strategic portfolio expansion aimed at addressing medications in high demand.
B. Braun Medical Inc., headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a leader in smart infusion therapy and safe pharmacy products. The company employs 8,500 people across more than 30 locations in North America and is part of the global B. Braun Group, which has over 64,000 employees in 64 countries worldwide.
Healthcare facilities interested in learning more about the DUPLEX Drug Delivery System can visit the company's dedicated product website for additional information.
