Honey of an idea for treating wounds

Sugar may be a diabetic's worst enemy but honey could be their best friend, thanks to a manuka-based antibacterial patch launched in New Zealand this month.

Bay of Plenty-based honey company Comvita has spent five years developing the dressing, which contains manuka honey gelled with sodium alginate an ingredient extracted from seaweed, after buying the patent off Waikato University in 2003. The patch was developed the Honey Research Unit at Waikato University.

Comvita's Medihoney Anti-bacterial Honey Gel Sheet has been available in the US since July, and chief marketing officer Scott Coulter said the response had been positive.

Comvita also plans to increase the shapes and sizes of the gel-type patch, which looks almost rubbery, as it aims to tap into its share of the multimillion-dollar international wound care market.

The patch will initially be sold to district health boards across the country, but the company plans to sell it through pharmacies from early next year. The gel sheets are available in Australia, and in Europe shortly.

While the honey for the product is produced in New Zealand, it is converted in the US due to the advanced technology available. The final product is manufactured in Australia.

Peter Molan, who leads the Honey Research Unit at Waikato University, said the patch could be used to heal chronic wounds such as foot ulcers and difficult to heal wounds caused by Type II diabetes. He has also developed a rating system that shows how manuka agents are effective antibacterial substances.

Dr Molan said it could have life-changing consequences for some patients. "It means diabetic wounds can be actually healed, rather than just offering palliative care. It could mean fewer amputations which are often necessary when these wounds don't heal."

- © Fairfax NZ News