InfoMedics Selected by Ferring Pharmaceuticals to Implement Patient Experience Program for EUFLEXXA(TM).WOBURN, Mass. -- Ferring to use InfoMedics' Brand Accelerator(R) to Facilitate Direct Communication between Physicians and EUFLEXXA(TM) Patients Regarding Treatment Experience InfoMedics, Inc., the leader in patient-physician communications programs, today announced that it has been selected by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to implement a patient experience program for EUFLEXXA(TM) (highly purified hyaluronan). EUFLEXXA(TM) is the first and only non-avian-derived biologic formulation of hyaluronic acid hyaluronic acid: see mucopolysaccharide. Hyaluronic acid A polysaccharide which is an integral part of the gel-like substance of animal connective tissue; it supposedly serves as a lubricant and shock absorbent in the joints. (HA) approved in the U.S. for the treatment of the pain of osteoarthritis osteoarthritis or osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease Most common joint disorder, afflicting over 80% of those who reach age 70. It does not involve excessive inflammation and may have no symptoms, especially at first. (OA) of the knee. Using its flagship product, Brand Accelerator(R), InfoMedics will gather data directly from patients regarding their treatment experiences with EUFLEXXA(TM). InfoMedics will then confidentially communicate the patients' responses directly to the prescribing physicians in an easy-to-read, graphical report. This program will allow physicians to see first-hand, from their own patients, the effectiveness of EUFLEXXA(TM) treatments. "A recently published study demonstrated that EUFLEXXA(TM) offers better symptom-free relief from OA pain over a 12-week period than the current market-leading therapy," said William Garbarini, Sr. Director of Marketing, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "While clinical studies like this are vital to educating patients and physicians about the effectiveness of EUFLEXXA(TM), we recognize that the most important feedback occurs directly between patients and their doctors. Implementation of an InfoMedics patient-physician communications program provides physicians complete, credible information to help make treatment decisions and improve patient care." "By using the InfoMedics patient-physician communications platform, Ferring is demonstrating that its top priority is ensuring the most effective treatment for patients who live with the pain caused by knee osteoarthritis," stated Gene Guselli, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , InfoMedics. "We are proud to work with a partner that is committed to the most responsible marketing of this new, important treatment in the battle against knee OA pain." For more than 10 years, InfoMedics has worked closely with pharmaceutical companies to improve the quality of communications between patients and their physicians through the development of its distinctive patient-physician communications platform. The brand-specific platform is designed to deliver patient education and professional and consumer promotional support, resulting in an average increase of 30% in new prescriptions. About EUFLEXXA(TM) EUFLEXXA(TM) (1% sodium hyaluronate hyaluronate /hy·al·uro·nate/ (hi?ah-ldbobr´ro-nat) a salt, anion, or ester of hyaluronic acid. The sodium salt and a derivative of it are used as analgesics in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. ) is the first and only non-avian-derived* hyaluronic acid approved in the U.S. for the treatment of pain caused by knee osteoarthritis and is indicated for a three-injection treatment regimen for patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative non-pharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics Analgesics Definition Analgesics are medicines that relieve pain. Purpose Analgesics are those drugs that mainly provide pain relief. . Since it is not derived from an avian source (chicken or rooster combs), the risk of related reactions is eliminated.(1,2) In addition, EUFLEXXA(TM) has properties similar to the HA in healthy human synovial fluid synovial fluid: see joint. and is free of chemical cross-linking which minimizes the risk of related reactions.(1-6) EUFLEXXA(TM) received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. ) on December 3, 2004, and became available to the public on November 8, 2005. For more information, visit www.EUFLEXXA.com. About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc., part of the Ferring Group, is a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company. Ferring's line of orthopaedic and urology products include EUFLEXXA(TM), hyaluronic acid for the treatment of pain from osteoarthritis of the knee and degarelix for prostate cancer prostate cancer, cancer originating in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy in men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in men. (Phase III). Ferring also markets Menopur(R) (menotropins for injection, USP USP - unique sales point ), Bravelle(R) (urofollitropin for injection, purified), Repronex(R) (menotropins for injection, USP) and Novarel(R) (chorionic gonadotropin chorionic gonadotropin n. Abbr. CG A glycoprotein that is produced by the placenta and is excreted in the urine of pregnant women, and that acts to stimulate ovarian secretion of the estrogen and progesterone that are required to maintain for injection, USP) in the U.S. to infertility specialists and their patients. Ferring offers the Q-CAP(TM), the first and only needle-free reconstitution device, for use with its fertility treatments. Other products include ACTHREL(R) (corticorelin ovine ovine pertaining to, characteristic of, or derived from sheep. ovine atopic dermatitis symmetrical erythema, alopecia, lichenification, excoriation on woolless areas; sporadic cases, recur each summer. triflutate for injection) for the differential diagnosis differential diagnosis n. Determination of which one of two or more diseases with similar symptoms is the one from which the patient is suffering. Also called differentiation. of Cushing's syndrome Cushing's Syndrome Definition Cushing's syndrome is a relatively rare endocrine (hormonal) disorder resulting from excessive exposure to the hormone cortisol. and generic desmopressin acetate des·mo·pres·sin acetate n. An analog of vasopressin, used as an antidiuretic and to manage bleeding in some forms of hemophilia and in von Willebrand's disease. in injectable and rhinal rhi·nal adj. Nasal. rhinal pertaining to the nose. tube forms for the treatment of diabetes insipidus diabetes insipidus Endocrine disorder causing extreme thirst and excessive production of very dilute urine, apparently due to lack of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin, which regulates the kidney's water conservation and urine production) or failure of the kidney tubules to and primary nocturnal enuresis. The Ferring Group specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, gastroenterology, obstetrics/gynecology and infertility. For more information, visit www.FerringUSA.com. About InfoMedics, Inc. InfoMedics, Inc., headquartered in Woburn, Mass., is the only pharmaceutical services provider with a proven platform that improves the quality of the relationship between physicians and their patients; a platform designed to deliver better communications and feedback on medication satisfaction. The patient experience data delivered to physicians by InfoMedics provides specific information that benefits physicians at the point-of-care to optimize patient outcomes and improve compliance. InfoMedics' programs facilitate the communication channel between physicians and patients around the pharmaceutical brand, enhancing product awareness and accelerating market share growth. Founded in 1995, InfoMedics' customer base includes 14 of the world's top 15 pharmaceutical companies and multiple leading drugs by worldwide sales. InfoMedics Brand Accelerator programs have been deployed to over 100,000 physicians and their patients. For more information, please visit www.infomedics.com. (1) Schiavinato A, Finesso M, Cortivo R, & Abatangelo G (2002). Comparison of the effects of intra-articular injections of Hyaluronan and its chemically cross-linked derivative (Hylan G-F20) in normal rabbit knee joints. Clin Exp Rheumatol 20, 445-454. (2) Goomer RS, Leslie K, Maris T, & Amiel D (2005). Native hyaluronan produces less hypersensitivity hypersensitivity, heightened response in a body tissue to an antigen or foreign substance. The body normally responds to an antigen by producing specific antibodies against it. The antibodies impart immunity for any later exposure to that antigen. than cross-linked hyaluronan. Clin Orthop Relat Res 239-245. (3) Leopold SS, Warme WJ, Pettis PD, & Shott S (2002). Increased frequency of acute local reaction to intra-articular hylan GF-20 (synvisc) in patients receiving more than one course of treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am 84-A, 1619-1623. (4) Puttick MP, Wade JP, Chalmers A, Connell DG, & Rangno KK (1995). Acute local reactions after intraarticular hylan for osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol 22, 1311-1314. (5) Pullman-Mooar S, Mooar P, Sieck M, Clayburne G, & Schumacher HR (2002). Are there distinctive inflammatory flares after hylan g-f 20 intraarticular injections? J Rheumatol 29, 2611-2614. (6) Chen AL, Desai P, Adler EM, & Di Cesare PE (2002). Granulomatous inflammation after Hylan G-F 20 viscosupplementation of the knee : a report of six cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am 84-A, 1142-1147. |
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