The Sharps Terminator, a device designed to easily destroy needles after use and reduce incidence of needlestick injuries (featured in the BDJ product news in July 2012: Hasta la vista, needle; BDJ 2012; 213: 34), has been withdrawn from sale in the UK and Germany by VLA Healthcare.

The decision to remove the product from sale and to cease all promotional activity was taken due to concerns over reliability and performance issues pertaining to the product, which were uncovered during NHS testing and evaluation.

The company said that it was 'committed to supplying high quality products and services and as such, is working with other manufacturers to develop alternative solutions to Sharps Terminator'. Feedback on the product had been positive but the product could only destroy certain types of needles.