The SafePoint Trust

Marc Koska spent years researching syringe manufacturing before inventing the K1 in 1996, the first auto-disabled syringe, which physically prevents re-use by locking the plunger in place after the first use. To facilitate adoption, Marc ensured these syringes could be produced using existing machinery, with minimal additional training required, for just one cent more per unit, and founded Star Syringe, which licensed the technology to 14 licensees that have collectively produced over four billion auto-disabled syringes.

Although the direct sales approach achieved widespread conversion to auto-disabled syringes in the immunization market, where bulk buyers like UNICEF and GAVI adopted a ‘safe injection’ policy and thereby forced manufacturers into compliance, vaccinations represent only 10% of shots administered annually. Because there are no institutional buyers in the curative market, representing the other 90% of shots administered annually, market penetration stalled.

Recognizing that a different model was required to achieve universal adoption in the curative market, Marc created the non-profit The SafePoint Trust in 2006 with the goal of aligning all actors in the healthcare system around safe injections. Through effective advocacy and research efforts, The SafePoint Trust has catapulted safe injections to the top of the international health agenda, and on 23 February 2015, Margaret Chan, DG WHO announced a new global policy on injection safety.

The WHO’s global policy announcement is coupled with a campaign to force universal adoption based on an approach first piloted by The SafePoint Trust in Tanzania in 2011. The operation is called the LifeSaver campaign and works with all stakeholder groups to drive accountability through the system. National Health Ministries must mandate the exclusive use of auto-disabled syringes in their country or risk reduced funding from donors; global manufacturers have to bring 100% of their syringe production into compliance by 2020 or lose access to those markets as governments ban imports of reusable syringes; and health care workers receive clear incentives through positive reinforcement and a SMS-based rewards system developed by Hewlett-Packard that allows patients to give redeemable points to health workers administering safe injections.