CardiovascularOsteoporosis Drug Heritage Continues Ahead Of 10th Anniversary
Data presented today at the 8th European Congress on Menopause
(EMAS) demonstrated that the majority of osteoporosis patients treated with
raloxifene stay on therapy for the first two years.(1) Prof. Dr. P. Hadji,
University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Marburg, Germany, stated
that "Of the 300 postmenopausal osteoporosis patients who received treatment
with raloxifene, results show that at 12, 24 and 36 months 96.4 %, 80.5% and
62% respectively of patients remained on therapy."
The data released today comes ahead of raloxifene"s 10th
anniversary, a turning point that will not go unmarked. Coinciding with World
Osteoporosis Day this October, plans are already underway to highlight the
past and present success of the drug, as well as looking forward to a
positive future. Reinhard Bauer, CEO of DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE, says "DAIICHI
SANKYO is delighted to mark the 10th anniversary of raloxifene later this
year. The anniversary is intended to raise awareness of the disease and
celebrate the role that raloxifene has played in transforming osteoporosis
management over the years."
The management of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women
represents a major public health challenge because long-term treatment is
required to prevent fractures and chronic disability.(2) Today"s results,
together with the forthcoming anniversary of raloxifene, highlight how
important it is for patients to continue to take their medication, in order
to achieve treatment benefits and reduce the burden that osteoporosis places
on individuals and the healthcare system.(3)
"Patients often do not take their medication as prescribed
and, as a result, current treatment with many osteoporosis therapies tends to
be below standard," commented Prof. Dr. P. Hadji "However, raloxifene has a
long and proven history of patient compliance. Years of research not only
confirms that patients adhere to treatment regimens with the drug, but also
demonstrates a safety profile that is as strong now, 10 years on, as it was
when raloxifene first came to market."
About raloxifene
Raloxifene is a type of prescription medication called a
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). It is indicated for the
treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene
treats and prevents osteoporosis by reducing the risk of vertebral fracture.
(4) Raloxifene has been taken by up to 26 million women worldwide, up to 7
million of them were treated in Europe.(5)
About DAIICHI SANKYO
DAIICHI SANKYO is a global pharmaceutical company that focuses
on researching and marketing innovative medications. The company was created
in 2005 through the merger of two traditional Japanese enterprises, Daiichi
and Sankyo. With net sales of nearly 5.9 billion EUR in fiscal year 2008,
DAIICHI SANKYO is one of the world"s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. The
company"s world headquarters is in Tokyo, and its European base is located in
Munich. DAIICHI SANKYO has affiliates in 12 European countries and has been
one of the strongest Japanese pharmaceutical companies located in Europe
since it set up European production facilities and marketing offices in 1990.
The company"s research activities focus on the areas of cardiovascular
diseases, hematology, diabetes, anti-infectives and cancer. Its aim is to
develop medications that are "best" in their class or to create new classes
of pharmaceutical drugs.
For more information, please visit: http://www.daiichi-sankyo.eu
References
1. Hadji P, Wetzel K, Ziller V et al. (2009) Compliance during
osteoporosis therapy with raloxifene. Poster presented at EMAS 2009
2. Turbi C, Herrero-Beaumont G, Acebes JC et al. (2004) Compliance and
Satisfaction with Raloxifene Versus Alendronate for the Treatment of
Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Clinical Practice: An Open-Label, Prospective,
Nonrandomized, Observational Study. Clin Therap 26; 245-256
3. Siris ES, Selby PL, Saag KG et al. (2009) Impact of Osteoporosis
Treatment Adherence on Fracture Rates in North America and Europe. The
American Journal of Medicine (2009) 122, S3-S13
4. Maricic M, Adachi JD, Sarkar S, Wu W, Wong M, Harper KD, (2002) Early
effects of raloxifene on clinical vertebral fractures at 12 months in
postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Arch Intern Med.;162(10):1140-3.
5. Periodic safety Update Report, PSUR 16 Global (10-DEC-2007 TO 09-JUN
2008)/ Data on File
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