Press Releases

DUBLIN, Ohio, March 17, 2008 — Cardinal Health, a global provider of products and services that improve the safety and productivity of health care, today announced it has signed an exclusive agreement with SleepNet Corporation to be the sole provider of its complete range of products throughout North and South America.

 

SleepNet is a leading provider of gel masks for sleep apnea patients. Under the terms of the three-year agreement, Cardinal Health will assume the responsibility as exclusive distributor for SleepNet’s IQ®, Phantom®, and MiniMe® Nasal Masks and the Mojo™ Full Face Mask in the Americas.

 

Sleep apnea can be a serious sleep disorder. People who have sleep apnea stop breathing for 10 to 30 seconds at a time while they are sleeping. These short stops in breathing can happen up to 400 times every night. Doctors estimate that more than 12 million Americans have sleep apnea. Men, people who are overweight, or over 40 years old are more likely to have sleep apnea, but it can affect anyone at any age.

 

“We are pleased to expand our relationship with SleepNet and look forward to augmenting our offerings to provide more options for patients with sleep apnea,” said Steve Birch, Cardinal Health’s director of marketing for Sleep Therapy.

Frank Petruno, director of sales for SleepNet said, 'This is an important milestone in the continuing growth and success of our company. We look forward to Cardinal Health becoming a cornerstone of the products SleepNet offers to our sleep apnea customers in the Americas.”



Nasal positive airway pressure therapy is the most common and effective treatment for sleep apnea. With this therapy, patients may wear a SleepNet Phantom Nasal Mask or IQ Nasal Mask, sometimes referred to as an interface, over the nose during sleep, while pressure from an air blower forces air through the nasal passages. There are various types of positive airway pressure devices available to treat sleep apnea. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and bi-level positive airway pressure systems were the original modes of sleep apnea therapy. These systems provide a level of air pressure to prevent the airway from collapsing or narrowing.



 

By creating a soft interface between the patient and the mask shell, the discomfort of using a mask is reduced. If the mask is comfortable, the patient is more likely to continue using CPAP and comply with therapy.

 

The Phantom, IQ, Mojo and MiniMe masks are made of a single piece flexible shell, with a soft gel cushion that adapts to facial contours. The IQ and MiniMe also have a pliable ring inside the shell that can be shaped quickly and easily to remove air leaks. There are no tiny pieces that can be misplaced. SleepNet masks are regulated medical devices and are available only with a doctor’s prescription.

 

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is an $87 billion, global company serving the health care industry with products and services that help hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies reduce costs, improve safety, productivity and profitability, and deliver better care to patients.  With a focus on making supply chains more efficient, reducing hospital-acquired infections and breaking the cycle of harmful medication errors, Cardinal Health develops market-leading technologies, including Alaris® IV pumps, Pyxis® automated dispensing systems, MedMined™ electronic infection surveillance, VIASYS® respiratory care products and the CareFusion™ patient identification system.  The company also manufactures medical and surgical products and is one of the largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies worldwide.  Ranked No. 19 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 40,000 people on five continents.  More information about the company may be found at www.cardinalhealth.com.