Press Release
<p>NATIONWIDE SURVEY FINDS ONLY 30 PERCENT OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING INFERTILITY TREATMENT ARE ABLE TO ADMINISTER THEIR MEDICATIONS WITH ONE INJECTION PER DAY</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT:</strong> Andrea Preston <strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong><br/>
Kovak-Likly Communications<br/>
203-762-8833, apreston@klcpr.com </p>
<p><strong>NATIONWIDE SURVEY FINDS ONLY 30 PERCENT OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING INFERTILITY TREATMENT ARE ABLE TO ADMINISTER THEIR MEDICATIONS WITH ONE INJECTION PER DAY</strong><br/>
<strong>Infertility Treatments Remain Complex and Anxiety-Producing for Many</strong> </p>
<p>SUFFERN, NY – May 30, 2006 - A new survey reveals that 79 percent of women
undergoing treatment for infertility were required to use a combination of injectable
medications in their most recent treatment cycle, but only 30 percent were able to
administer those medications via a single injection each day. Nearly two-thirds of
patients indicated that they would ask their doctor for a single injection per day
treatment option if they knew it was available to fulfill their treatment protocol. </p>
<p>The nationwide survey, sponsored by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, was conducted
online by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association from January 15 through
January 26, 2006. The majority of the 238 respondents were between the ages of 27
and 40, with nearly two-thirds in treatment for infertility more than a year. More than
half of the respondents used both a needle and syringe and pen (an injection device
that resembles a ball point pen) to administer their injectable medications; one-third
used only a needle and syringe and 10 percent only a pen. </p>
<p>“We would like to see more patients who must combine their medication for their
infertility treatment be able to administer their medication just once-a-day,” said William
Keye, M.D., director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at
William Beaumont Hospital. “With once-daily dosing, the benefits to the patient are
significant – there is less anxiety, burden, teaching time and chance for error.” </p>
<p>As expected, more patients were anxious about administering their medication
using a needle and syringe than a pen, however, patients required to use both a needle
and syringe and pen experienced even greater levels of anxiety. Among this latter
group, nearly 17 percent reported considerable to very severe anxiety when they had to
inject their medication more than once per day. </p>
<p>While only two percent of all pen users discarded a pen because it failed to work
properly, approximately 40 percent of pen users acknowledged they needed to discard
a pen on one or more occasions because it contained insufficient medication for their
next dose and 44 percent discarded a pen with medication in it at the completion of their
treatment cycle. Only one-third (34 percent) of patients using the pen opted to use the
diary typically accompanying it to record the amount of medication remaining in the pen.
More (45 percent), however, simply chose to estimate amounts based on their daily
dose. </p>
<p>“This survey uncovered continuing anxieties and challenges that patients
undergoing treatment for infertility are facing,” said Olivier Delannoy, vice president,
infertility business unit, Ferring Pharmaceuticals. “We feel it is critical for the industry to
take the lead in simplifying the patient care journey and reducing hurdles that contribute
to a more arduous process for the majority of those treated.” </p>
<p>“RESOLVE continues to encourage and support additional research into the
diagnosis, treatment and emotional challenges related to infertility and reproductive
health,” said Joseph C. Isaacs, president and CEO, RESOLVE. “The more we know
about infertility and can simplify the treatment process, the better we can support the
millions of women and men struggling to have a baby.” </p>
<p><strong>General Demographics and Treatment History</strong> </p>
<ul>
<li>The majority of respondents (83%) were between 27 and 40 years of age.</li>
<li>One-third of the respondents had been in treatment for less than one year; nearly
two-thirds for more than one year.</li>
<li>More than one-third (34%) of the respondents had undergone four or more
cycles of injectable medications for ovulation induction; more than half (54%) had
undergone one or two IVF cycles using injectable medications.</li>
<li>The vast majority (79%) used multiple injectable medications in their most recent
treatment cycle.</li>
<li>However, only 30% of the respondents were able to administer their medications
in one injection per day.</li>
<li>Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the respondents indicated that they would ask their
doctor for a single injection per day treatment option if they knew it was available.</li>
<li>Most patients did not request specific products (78%), however, when they did,
Follistim (8%), Gonal-f (7%) and Menopur (5%) were the three most frequently
requested brands.</li>
<li>More than half of the respondents (52%) used both a needle and syringe and
pen to administer their injectable medications; one-third (34%) used a needle and
syringe only; and 10% used a pen only.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association</strong><br/>
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is the oldest and largest
consumer-based, nonprofit group in the United States providing education, advocacy
and support on behalf of those struggling with infertility. Founded in 1974, RESOLVE
and its network of more than 40 chapters across the U.S. handle over 1.5 million
contacts each year from people seeking information and compassionate support to help
them address a reproductive system disease now afflicting 7.3 million in the United
States or 12.5 percent of all couples of childbearing age. For more information visit
www.resolve.org. </p>
<p><strong>About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.</strong><br/>
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is part of the Ferring Group, a privately owned,
international pharmaceutical company. The Company markets BRAVELLE<sup>®</sup>
(urofollitropin for injection, purified), MENOPUR<sup>®</sup> (menotropins for injection, USP),
REPRONEX<sup>®</sup> (menotropins for injection, USP) and NOVAREL<sup>®</sup> (chorionic gonadotropin
for injection, USP) in the U.S. to infertility specialists and their patients, and
EUFLEXXA™ (highly purified hyaluronan) for patients with pain from knee osteoarthritis.
Other products include ACTHREL<sup>®</sup> (corticorelin ovine triflutate for injection) for the
differential diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome and generic DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE
in injectable and rhinal tube forms for the treatment of diabetes insipidus and primary
nocturnal enuresis. </p>
<p>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, call 888-
FERRING or visit www.ferringusa.com or www.ferringfertility.com. </p>
<p># # # </p>
EUFLEXXA (1% sodium hyaluronate) is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis. It is used in people who do not get enough relief from simple pain medications such as acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy.
Important Safety Information
You should not receive this product if you have had any previous allergic reaction to EUFLEXXA or hyaluronan products. You should not have an injection into the knee if you have a knee joint infection or if you have skin disease or infection around the injection site.
EUFLEXXA is only for injection into the knee performed by a qualified doctor. After you receive this injection you may need to avoid activities such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting, or standing on your feet for a long time (more than one hour). The safety and effectiveness of repeat treatment cycles of EUFLEXXA have not been established. The safety and effectiveness of EUFLEXXA have not been shown in people under 18 years of age.
Side effects sometimes seen when EUFLEXXA is injected into the knee joint were pain, swelling, skin irritation, and tenderness and these were generally mild and did not last long.
Please see Full Prescribing Information.
Please see Important Information for Patients.
Patient Treatment Information
PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR, OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING ANY PRODUCT DISCUSSED WITHIN THIS WEB SITE.
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Euflexxa® is a registered trademark of Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.