AstraZeneca Announces Nexium(esomeprazole magnesium) Savings Program for Purple Plus Members
--Enhanced Purple Plus(TM) Program Provides Instant Rebates and Educational Tools--
WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AstraZeneca
(NYSE:AZN) today announced the enhancements to
the Purple Plus(TM) Program for patients with gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD) who are prescribed NEXIUM(R) (esomeprazole
magnesium). This patient support program is designed to make NEXIUM
more affordable for patients through instant rebates, and to
provide educational tools that can assist patients in staying
adherent to their prescribed therapy.
"NEXIUM is a very important treatment option for patients with
GERD because of its proven efficacy in healing damage to the
esophagus caused by acid reflux," said Doug Levine, MD, Executive
Director in Clinical Development for AstraZeneca. "As part of our
long-standing commitment to positively impact the gastrointestinal
health of patients with acid-related diseases, we are pleased to
offer a program that can make NEXIUM, as prescribed by health care
professionals, more affordable to patients. The support and
education components of Purple Plus(TM) can help patients
appropriately partner with their health care professionals in
managing their disease through recommended treatment interventions,
which optimizes the chances for achieving the best possible
outcomes."
Nationwide, NEXIUM costs the majority of patients with
prescription coverage less than a dollar a day, based on national
average co-pay.(1) Individual costs may vary. Refill data shows
that patients who participate in the Purple Plus(TM) program stay
on therapy longer than non-members.(2) In addition, patients
participating in the Purple Plus(TM) Program can receive instant
rebates (up to $30 for insured and $50 for uninsured) on their
NEXIUM prescriptions through the Purple Plus(TM) Savings Card.
Patients also will receive regular e-mail and direct mail
communications containing acid reflux education, refill reminders,
newsletters and cookbooks.
Furthermore, patients have access to comprehensive online
resources and tools, including a GERD-friendly meal planner,
trigger checker, an online dietitian, fitness planner, and more,
which are all accessible through the member's own personal web page
on www.PurplePill.com.
Enrollment in the Purple Plus(TM) program is simple and entails
no paperwork. NEXIUM(R) (esomeprazole magnesium) patients can
enroll by: 1) Visiting www.PurplePill.com, 2) Calling
1-888-PurplePill, or 3) Activating the Purple Plus(TM) Savings Card
they receive from their physician. Once enrolled, each person will
receive a Welcome kit in the mail, with subsequent mailings to
follow.
The Purple Plus(TM) Program enhances face-to-face interactions
between physicians and patients by providing a program that helps
educate them about managing acid reflux disease, understanding
overall gastrointestinal (GI) wellness, and maintaining a healthy
lifestyle.
About GERD
Approximately 60 million Americans experience gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD) symptoms more than twice a week.(3) GERD is
characterized by frequent and persistent heartburn, which occurs
when the lower esophageal sphincter (the valve separating the
esophagus and stomach) does not close properly, allowing acid to
back up into the esophagus. GERD is chronic and, if left untreated,
may lead to more serious medical conditions.
About NEXIUM(R) (esomeprazole magnesium)
NEXIUM is prescribed for the treatment of frequent, persistent
heartburn symptoms due to acid reflux disease. These symptoms
typically occur on two or more days per week despite treatment and
diet change.
For many people, NEXIUM can also heal damage to the esophagus
caused by acid reflux. This damage can occur over time, when acid
from the stomach erodes (wears away) the lining of the esophagus.
Only a doctor can determine if you have this condition, called
erosive esophagitis. Most erosions heal in 4 to 8 weeks. Your
results may vary.
Common side effects with NEXIUM(R) (esomeprazole magnesium)
include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Symptom relief does
not rule out other serious stomach conditions.
AstraZeneca is committed to helping people get the medicines
they need. In 2006, 97,614 NEXIUM patients were provided patient
assistance through AstraZeneca programs, which equates to patient
savings of $105M. Nationwide, NEXIUM costs the majority of patients
with prescription coverage less than a dollar a day, based on
national average co-pay. Individual costs may vary.(1)
For more information about NEXIUM, talk to your doctor, visit
www.Purplepill.com, or call 1-888-Purplepill.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged
in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of
prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services.
It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with
healthcare sales of $26.47 billion and leading positions in sales
of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory,
oncology and infection products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good
Index.
In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $12.44 billion healthcare
business with more than 12,000 employees. For nearly three decades,
AstraZeneca has offered drug assistance programs side by side with
its medicines, and over the past five years, has provided over $3
billion in savings to more than 1 million patients throughout the
US and Puerto Rico.
AstraZeneca has been named one of the "100 Best Companies for
Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine and is the only large
pharmaceutical company named to FORTUNE magazine's 2007 list of
"100 Best Companies to Work For." In 2006, for the fifth
consecutive year, Science magazine named AstraZeneca a "Top
Employer" on its ranking of the world's most respected
biopharmaceutical employers.
For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit: www.astrazeneca.com.
(1) Source: Wolters Kluwer Health Source®, Dynamic Claims Analyzer January
through August 2007. Based on average monthly co-pay amount for
commercial and Medicare Part D programs. Survey included 4100 plans;
63% of claims had a co-pay of $29 or less. Does not include other
types of out-of-pocket costs. DA-NEX-99: Wolters Kluwer Health
Source(R) Dynamic Claims TM, January through August 2007.
(2) DOF DA-NEX-98
(3) Shaker R, Castell DO, Schoenfeld PS, Spechler SJ. Nighttime heartburn
is an under-appreciated clinical problem that impacts sleep and
daytime function: The results of a Gallup survey conducted on behalf
of the American Gastroenterological Association. American Journal of
Gastroenterology 2003;98(7):1487-1493.
Source: AstraZeneca
CONTACT: Blair Hains, +1-302-885-1813, or Corey Windett,
+1-302-885-0034, both of AstraZeneca
Web site: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/
http://www.astrazeneca.com/
http://www.purplepill.com/
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/985887.html
Posted: November 2007
