Crawford Healthcare, Inc. is now available on the VA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Crawford Healthcare, Inc. announced today that several of its wound and skin care products have been included in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) via their distribution agreement with ERA Health LLC dba Veteran's Health Medical Supply (VHMS). The FSS program establishes long-term government-wide contracts that allow VA facilities and other government agencies to acquire a vast array of medical equipment, supplies, services, and pharmaceuticals directly from commercial suppliers. In total, the FSS services the largest national healthcare system, reaching an estimated 9,000,000 veterans every year.

Leading risk factors for developing chronic wounds include diabetes, obesity, and old age. The largest wound care market in the world is the United States with an estimated $25 billion per year being spent on wound care-related medical costs. These numbers are expected to rise as the number of people in these risk factor categories also continues to rise.ⁱ According to VA officials, chronic wound care is of particular importance to the military community with an estimated 25 percent of military veterans having diabetes (compared to 8 percent of the adult population as a whole).

Crawford Healthcare, Inc. is part of an international company with headquarters in the United Kingdom and its US operations have been based in Doylestown, Pa., since 2013.  Crawford has built a strong reputation globally over the past 15 years for providing innovative products to healthcare professionals and their patients on a cost-effective basis that successfully treat skin and wound care conditions. 

ʺWe are excited both with the FSS approval and our relationship with VHMS," says Terry Bromley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Crawford's U.S. operations. "Being on the FSS list gives us a great opportunity to get our products in the hands of patients who need them most, and working with VHMS will be tremendously helpful to the purchasing offices throughout the VA hospital network, as they can now add Crawford products to other product orders they may already be placing through VHMS. It's a win-win that ultimately benefits the patients − men and women of the military who sacrifice so much to serve our nation."

Among the products included in the FSS contract are KerraMax Care™, a super-absorbent dressing for improving patient care; KerraFoam™, a foam dressing with excellent fluid retention capabilities to help retain more moisture to prevent maceration and wound edge breakdown; and KerraContact™ Ag, a contact layer containing proprietary Ag Oxysalts™ for fast and powerful antimicrobial action. These products, all with specific wound care indications, are supplemented with the Touchless^® skin care product line, a spray-on, no-rub-in series of multipurpose treatments that soothe and protect irritated skin.

To help lead its U.S. business, Crawford has assembled a management team with proven industry background that is seasoned in the advanced wound care arena. The executive team offers more than 50 years of collective experience in the field and has deployed a nationwide direct sales team focused on wound, skin, and burn care.

About Crawford Healthcare, Inc.
Crawford Healthcare, Inc., is part of a rapidly growing international company dedicated to developing innovative treatments and effective dermatological, wound care, and diagnostic products for the care and repair of skin. The parent has worked closely with healthcare professionals for more than 15 years from their international head office in Knutsford, Cheshire, U.K. In early 2013, Crawford expanded its operations and opened a U.S. office in Doylestown, Pa., that focuses on the company's portfolio of advanced wound care products. For more information about Crawford Healthcare in the US, please visit us.crawfordhealthcare.com/.

ⁱ Chandan K. Sen, PhD, Gayle M. Gordillo, MD, Sashwati Roy, PhD, Robert Kirsner, MD, Lynn Lambert, CHT, Thomas K. Hunt, MD, Finn Gottrup, MD, Geoffrey C Gurtner, MD, and Michael T. Longaker, MD Human Skin Wounds: A Major and Snowballing Threat to Public Health and the Economy Wound Repair Regen. 2009 Nov–Dec; 17(6): 763–771. 
doi:  10.1111/j.1524-475X.2009.00543.x

SOURCE Crawford Healthcare, Inc.