Disclosed is an apparatus for processing a hypodermic needle, comprising: a containment cylinder (17) for receiving the needle； a first electrode (16) for contacting the needle near a first end； a second electrode (20) for contacting the needle at its sharp end； a control system, operable to cause a current to flow in the needle between said first and second electrodes, whereby said current causes the needle to soften and wherein the second electrode is arranged to move within the containment cylinder and to provide a compressive force to the needle, wherein the containment cylinder is arranged to be heated by a heater in the form of a heater coil (not shown) surrounding the containment cylinder during the processing.
