Baxter named medical products leadership

Baxter International has been named the 2008 medical products industry leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI).

The company said this marks the tenth consecutive year it has been ranked in the DJSI and the seventh time it has been named as the industry leader in medical products since the index was launched in 1999.

Baxter received the best scores in a number of criteria, including codes of conduct, bioethics, occupational health and safety, environmental policy and management and social and environmental reporting.

In addition to this accolade, the company was also recently recognised as one of the 100 most sustainable corporations in the world by Innovest Strategic Value Advisers and one of the best US corporate citizens by Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine.

Robert L Parkinson, chairman and chief executive officer of Baxter, said: “We believe our efforts in sustainability enhance shareholder value by making Baxter a more competitive company.”

He added that the company’s approach to the issue of sustainability reflects the company culture and the quality of its staff, while inspiring discipline and innovation.

Last month, Baxter signed a licensing agreement with Innocoll Pharmaceuticals for the antibiotic gentamicin surgical implant to reduce post-operative complications and cost.