ADSX - Press ReleaseSource: Applied Digital Solutions, Inc.
Applied Digital Solutions' Exclusive Mexico Distributor of Subdermal RFID VeriChip is Launching ``SOLUSAT MEDICA´´ to Promote VeriChip´s Healthcare Applications in Mexico
Thursday July 17, 9:17 am ET
Today's Kickoff Event and Press Conference Will Feature a Live "Chipping" Procedure for Local Media and Testimonials from VeriChip Users
PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2003-- Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSX - News), an advanced technology development company, announced today that its exclusive distributor of VeriChip(TM) products and services in Mexico is launching "SOLUSAT MEDICA", a special unit designed to promote the many healthcare-related applications of VeriChip in Mexico.
VeriChip is a secure, subdermal, radio frequency identification (RFID) microchip about the size of a grain of rice that can be used in a variety of security, financial, emergency identification and other applications. In October 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that VeriChip is not a regulated device with regard to its security, financial, personal identification/safety applications but that VeriChip's healthcare information applications are subject to regulation by the FDA in the United States. In other countries, including Mexico, the regulatory status of VeriChip quite often differs from the treatment the technology has received by regulators in the United States.
The kickoff event and press conference, scheduled to begin today at 8:45 a.m. (CT) at the Camino Real Hotel in Mexico City, will feature a live "chipping" procedure, along with testimonials from four additional people who have been "chipped" recently in Mexico. The press conference will also include presentations about SOLUSAT MEDICA's plans for marketing VeriChip to the healthcare community in Mexico.
Approximately 40 TV, radio and print journalists are expected to cover the press conference and live "chipping" - a simple, outpatient procedure that requires only a few minutes for a local anesthetic and insertion of the chip with a specially designed needle.
SOLUSAT MEDICA is reaching out to private and public hospitals in Mexico to incorporate VeriChip scanners in their emergency facilities. SOLUSAT is also holding discussions to build commercial and strategic relationships in Mexico to demonstrate the benefits of using all applications of VeriChip's innovative personal verification technology. According to SOLUSAT, discussions are underway for the donation of scanners to institutions such as the Red Cross and the Mexican Alzheimer's Association and several other public organizations.
Commenting on the launch of SOLUSAT MEDICA in Mexico, Antonio Aceves, Director General of SOLUSAT, said: "Without a shadow of a doubt, this application will give VeriChip users confidence and peace of mind. In a matter of seconds, it provides extremely important information in the event of an emergency and regardless of the condition of the patient, information that could mean the difference between life and death. And it doesn't matter if the patient has a prior medical condition or not, because we're all susceptible to accidents and health crises."
As previously announced, in the first quarter of 2003 the Company completed initial VeriChip product shipments to SOLUSAT of 1,000 implantable VeriChips and 100 proprietary scanners. The exclusive distribution agreement calls for a minimum purchase quota in excess of $9 million through the end of 2006. If annual minimum sales quotas are met, SOLUSAT will retain the exclusive right to distribute VeriChip and related products in Mexico.
During the Mexico City press conference, VeriChip users whose medical data is available on the SOLUSAT MEDICA secure database will provide testimonials regarding the product. These VeriChip users include Manuel Rosillo, a musician with a heart condition; Francisco Pujano, a 32-year-old salesman who suffered a cerebral aneurysm at the age of 28; Luis Valdez, a bio-chemical engineer with Type I diabetes; and Marcos Escandon, who has been injured in several of motorcycle accidents.
Quote from VeriChip user, Mr. Manuel Rosillo: "I used to lead a normal, active life and although I suffered from a lot of work-related stress, I never imagined I'd have a health problem as serious as this at my age. So far, I've suffered two heart attacks that have put my life at risk. I've undergone heart surgery and I'm under permanent treatment and medical supervision, which makes VeriChip an extremely useful product for me."
Quote from VeriChip user, Mr. Francisco Pujano: "I was extremely interested in having a VeriChip implant after suffering a cerebral aneurysm. When I have an attack, I don't remember where I am or understand what's happening around me, and it can sometimes last for a long time, so for safety reasons, I opted for VeriChip."
Quote from VeriChip user, Mr. Luis Valdez: "I have been in situations where a lack of information has put my life at risk. I once suffered a diabetes attack in the street while visiting another city. I practically dropped down dead in a diabetic coma. Fortunately, the paramedics didn't hook me up to a glucose drip, as that would have cost me my life. This technology gives me peace of mind and confidence, because it provides information about who I am, what is wrong with me and who to contact in a similar situation."
Quote from VeriChip user, Mr. Marcos Escandon: "Fortunately, I don't have any medical ailments, but I've been unlucky enough to be involved in a couple of serious accidents that have landed me in an emergency room. I didn't think twice about having a VeriChip implanted, after witnessing the distress caused to my family when they couldn't find me, plus the risk of being attended to by a doctor who doesn't know whether I have a medical condition or not. This way I'll always be sure to have my identity and my medical data on me."
In April 2003, a representative of VeriChip Corporation outlined VeriChip's many potential healthcare-related applications at the IDTechEx "Smart Tagging in Healthcare" conference in London (for more information, visit www.idtechex.com/healthcare.html). Subject to FDA regulation in the United States, these applications include:
Implanted medical device identification
Emergency access to patient-supplied health information
Portable medical records access
In-hospital patient identification
Medical facility connectivity via patient
Patient/therapy integration
Inter-facility patient identification
Disease/treatment management of at-risk populations
About SOLUSAT
Soluciones de Localizacion Satelital, S. de R.L. de C.V. (SOLUSAT), a subsidiary of Sistemas de Proteccion Integral de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (SPIMSA), was founded in October 2002 and is the exclusive marketer and distributor for VeriChip in Mexico. Antonio Aceves, Director General of SOLUSAT, can be reached by telephone (52 34 94 54) or email (antonio.aceves@solusat.com.mx). For more information about SOLUSAT and SOLUSAT MEDICA, visit www.solusat.com.mx.
About VeriChip(TM)
VeriChip is a subdermal, radio frequency identification (RFID) device that can be used in a variety of security, financial, emergency identification and other applications. About the size of a grain of rice, each VeriChip product contains a unique verification number that is captured by briefly passing a proprietary scanner over the VeriChip. A small amount of radio frequency energy passes from the scanner energizing the dormant VeriChip, which then emits a radio frequency signal transmitting the verification number. In October 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that VeriChip is not a regulated device with regard to its security, financial, personal identification/safety applications but that VeriChip's healthcare information applications are regulated by the FDA. VeriChip Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Applied Digital Solutions (Nasdaq: ADSX - News). For more information about VeriChip, visit www.adsx.com.
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