2008-12-03 23:09:01 -
www.medtronic.com - In response to the Wall Street Journal"s December 3, 2008 article, Medtronic issued the following statement:
Upon review of the known information, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) said its technical consultant in this case denies that he recommended the off-label use of the company"s InFuseŽ Bone Graft product. The physician who performed the
procedure has also said, "The decision to use InFuse during surgery was a clinical decision based on my personal experience with the product and evidence presented at our professional medical society meetings, and had nothing to do with the Medtronic technical expert."
Given the complexity of the products and procedures involved, Medtronic technical support is routinely made available to surgeons. Medtronic does not promote off label use of products, and physicians decide how medical products are ultimately used to the benefit of patients. The medical community understands that technical field representatives play a critical role in the operating room. In fact, most surgeons who use medical devices in their procedures require that a technical field representative be present during the procedure, because they understand their special product expertise enhances patient safety. Additionally, prominent medical societies, such as the American College of Surgeons, have policy statements describing the important role of industry representatives in the operating room. Medtronic"s technical representatives are in the operating room at surgeons" request.
About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology " alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic"s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 25, 2008. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
Medtronic, Inc.
Marybeth Thorsgaard, 763-505-2644
Public Relations
