Group purchasing organization Novation has inked new deals with three manufacturers to cover contrast agents for X-rays, MRI, ultrasound and other imaging procedures.

The Irving, Texas-based GPO, one of the largest in the U.S. by purchasing volume, said the awards are going to Lantheus, Bracco and GE. The GE contracts will be purchased through Novaplus, Novation's private-label pharmacy.

The X-ray media agreement was awarded to GE for its Omnipaque and Visipaque agents; the MRI agreement to GE for its Omniscan agent and Bracco for MultiHane and Prohance; the ultrasound agreement to GE for Optison and Lantheus for Definity; the oral barium agreement (for barium sulfate) to Bracco; and the oral iodated to GE for Omnipaque, according to a document Novation sent to DOTmed News.
The agreements start July 1, and Novation estimates they can save member hospitals up to 29 percent.

Novation reckons it has more than 65,000 members (hospital and non-hospital) through health care groups VHA Inc., UHC, and Provista LLC.

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