DripDrop Partners With Novation To Help Hospitals Address I.V. Saline Solution Shortages; ORS Product Used For Ebola Outbreak

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Oct 30, 2014, 06:35 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, DripDrop, the first great tasting oral rehydration solution (ORS), announced that it was awarded a two-year contract, effective Sept. 1, from Novation, the leading healthcare services company that serves the more than 100,000 members and affiliates of VHA, Inc., UHC, Children's Hospital Association and Provista.

DripDrop also received an Innovative Technology designation based on feedback from member hospitals who attended the recent Novation 2014 Innovative Technology Expo in early September, one of the largest events of its kind in the industry.

DripDrop, which was developed by a Mayo Clinic-trained family physician, is based on the WHO-formula for ORS. Its patented solution is effective in treating and preventing dehydration, but with one, important difference: DripDrop tastes similar to sports drinks. Compared to an I.V., oral rehydration solutions have been shown to improve patient satisfaction, reduce risk of complications, and require less time to administer. It is safe for children, adults and seniors, and costs hundreds of dollars less than an I.V..

"The treatment of dehydration costs billions of dollars a year, and we believe DripDrop – at dollars per dose – can achieve the same outcome in 80-90 percent of the treatments for mild to moderate dehydration," said Doug Wolf, CEO, DripDrop. "We are pleased to offer our product to the members served by Novation, and work with an organization that is a leader in helping hospitals manage through the industry's ongoing shortages of I.V. Solutions."

"For the past several months, Novation has been working with suppliers, the FDA and other industry organizations to help hospitals navigate the challenges associated with the I.V. Solutions shortage," said John Thompson, Vice President, Medical, Surgical and Distribution for Novation. "Among other efforts, we're helping hospitals manage supply constraints, communicating clinical protocols, and encouraging alternative solutions."

Olya Carter, RN and Senior Clinical Manager at Novation, added, "We are pleased with the hospital participants' recognition of DripDrop during Novation's recent Innovative Technology Expo. As an oral rehydration solution, this product could play a role in helping hospitals address challenges associated with IV shortages."

DripDrop also recently announced it joined in efforts to address the Ebola Virus outbreak, through donations of its ORS product to the frontlines of Ebola care centers in West Africa, and awareness and education efforts here in the United States. As there is no effective antiviral treatment for Ebola, oral rehydration is a critical part of care for infected patients, and essential to boost their chances for survival. To help hospitals in the U.S., Novation has developed an informational resource guide to increase awareness about Ebola and to provide education about effective prevention and protective measures to prevent an outbreak here in the United States.

Doctors first developed Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) more than 50 years ago to treat deadly dehydration in developing countries, often where I.V. was not an option. They contain a precise ratio of sodium, sugars, potassium, and other ingredients, and save millions of lives every year. Today, ORS are recommended by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and others. But they have not been widely adopted in the United States for two reasons: they taste terrible, and I.V. is the most common, accepted protocol.

About DripDrop
DripDrop is the first Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to combine medical standards of rehydration therapy and excellent taste. Our patented scientific formula improves upon international ORS standards, conforming to proven ratios of salts, sugars, potassium, and other ingredients. DripDrop precisely combines all those ingredients to maximize both taste and efficacy; this golden ratio of ingredients means DripDrop absorbs faster and hydrates better than water and other hydration solutions. DripDrop's innovative formula has been adopted early on by an elite group of users including Stanford University Medical Center, The Mayo Clinic, UCSF Medical Center, leading national pharmacies, US Special Forces, Olympians and top-flight athletes. To find a store location or for more information, visit www.dripdrop.com.

About Novation, Winner of the Ethics Inside® Certification
Founded in 1998, Novation is the leading health care supply chain expertise, analytics and contracting company for the more than 100,000 members and affiliates of VHA Inc. and UHC, two national health care alliances, Children's Hospital Association, an alliance of the nation's leading pediatric facilities, and Provista Inc. Novation, a VHA and UHC company, provides alliance members with sourcing services, as well as information and data services. Based in Irving, Texas, Novation develops and manages competitive contracts with more than 700 suppliers. Members of VHA, UHC, Children's Hospital Association and Provista used Novation contracts to purchase approximately $49 billion of products and services in 2013. Novation has earned the coveted Ethics Inside® Certification from Ethisphere Institute, a leading international think tank dedicated to the research and promotion of best practices in corporate ethics and compliance. Novation was also named on Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies list and is the only company in the health care industry to earn both distinctions for three consecutive years. To learn more about Novation, please visit http://www.novationco.com and follow @NovationNews.

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SOURCE DripDrop