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" The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has demanded an end to universal syringe connectors that are currently used to inject drugs into both the spine and veins. The watchdog has warned that the NHS will stop using existing equipment if firms do not start making safer devices, the BBC has learnt. Manufacturers have been given until 2013 to develop new devices that would prevent drugs from being injected into the wrong place. Hospitals have made a number of improvements since the death of Nottingham teenager Wayne Jowett, who passed away when anti-cancer drugs were wrongly injected into his spine.But the NPSA is concerned that mistakes are still being made. Medical director Dr Kevin Cleary told the BBC: &amp;#039;We hope this will encourage industry to act. This is in the best interests of patients.&amp;#039; Professor David Cousins, head of safe medication practice at the NPSA, noted that manufacturers are &amp;#039;fully aware&amp;#039; of the NHS&amp;#039; new requirements and are &amp;#039;striving to respond to these requirements within the identified timescales&amp;#039;. Wayne Jowett died in February 2001 after the drug Vincristine was injected into his spine, causing him to fall unconscious for almost a month before his death.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a18873/firms-urged-to-improve-safety-of-spinal-injections/>