C.R. Bard, Tyco call off merger agreement

MURRAY HILL, N.J - C. R. Bard announced last week that Bard and Tyco International have agreed to terminate their merger agreement. The all-share deal, valued at $3.2 billion when announced last May, recently came under a cloud after Tyco's shares took a beating after announcing plans to split into four separate companies. Bard also stated that in connection with the termination, each party will bear its own costs and expenses. "We have always acted in the best interest of our shareholders," stated William H. Longfield, Bard's chairman and CEO. "We now believe that the best course of action is for Bard to remain an independent company." HME Midwest acquires six Perigon branches ST. LOUIS - Mid West Medical Supply has acquired six branches of bankrupt distributor Perigon Medical Supply. The branches were located in Hartford, Conn.; Waukesha, Wis.; Carmel, Ind.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Salt Lake City and Casper, Wy. Perigon, which entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, had annual revenues of about $30 million and distributed medical supplies to continuing care companies, hospitals, doctors, laboratories, HME and homecare providers, hospice and into the dialysis market. HME Names changes at Medical Depot, Millennia FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -Medical Depot, a new vendor driven by a number of ex-Graham-Field employees, has changed its name to Drive, Medical Design & Manufacturing, a division of Medical Depot. The name change will feature an updated, contemporary design to its retail packaged product line, shipping cartons and soon to be released 2nd edition products catalog FLANDERS, N.J. - Millennia has changed its name to Higgs Medical Products. Higgs markets bathroom safety equipment under the Bath+Safe brand. HME