American Healthcare Systems has agreed to buy...

American Healthcare Systems has agreed to buy $40 million in supplies from Becton, Dickinson and Co., a major health-care goods manufacturer. The contract covers such products as needles, syringes and blood collection systems. American Healthcare Systems is a San Diego-based health-care association that represents 1,100 U.S. hospitals. It previously signed similar purchase agreements with 3M Company and Du Pont.