CEO Homi Shamir: We are seeking reimbursement from other European countries.
The French Ministry of Health has approved reimbursement for the Pillcam SB (small bowel) of Given Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq: GIVN; TASE: GIVN) at a price of €418, not including VAT. The decision means that France's 64 million citizens will have reimbursable access to Pillcam SB for several procedures: unexplained obscure and occult GI bleeding after negative colonoscopy and EGD (upper endoscopy); iron deficiency anemia after negative colonoscopy and EGD; and confirmation of suspected small bowel Crohn's disease following negative small bowel follow through and colonoscopy
Given Imaging president and CEO Homi Shamir said, "This is an important milestone for Given Imaging and we are very pleased that the French Ministry of Health has recognized the importance of capsule endoscopy for the small bowel." He added, "Today, approximately 560 million individuals worldwide including 235 million Europeans have reimbursed access to PillCam SB. We are working diligently to advance this process and we expect additional reimbursement decisions from other major European health ministries in the future."
Given Imaging rose 7.4% on Nasdaq on Friday to $7.09. The share opened at NIS 24.69 on the TASE today.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 23, 2008
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