WHO: This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the MS LifeLines® support service and the availability of Rebif® (interferon beta-1a), which represent a decade of dedication to those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Over the past 10 years, the companies have continued to develop and expand numerous programs that provide education and support to people living with MS and the greater MS community.
A timeline of key events from the past decade of dedication to the MS community is now available at http://bit.ly/AcMDvh.
WHAT: In March 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Rebif for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to decrease the frequency of clinical exacerbations and delay the accumulation of physical disability.
Rebif has a well-established safety profile, with 17 years of clinical trial and patient experience. Interferon products, such as Rebif, provide important therapeutic options in the treatment of relapsing MS. They belong to a family of proteins that occur naturally in the body. Rebif is the only self-injected relapsing MS therapy proven to work across all three key treatment measures: slowing disability progression, reducing relapse rate and reducing the development of brain lesions as seen on MRI. The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.
The most common side effects with Rebif are injection-site reactions, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, tiredness), depression, abdominal pain, increased liver enzymes, and blood cell count decreases. Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms or feel sad, tired, hot or cold, or experience hives, rashes, bruising, yellowing of the skin, or a change in body weight (gain or loss).
WHY: EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. offer support and programs to help meet the needs of the MS community. Central to the companies’ commitment is MS LifeLines, a service that provides education and support to people living with MS and their families.
The goal of MS LifeLines is to connect with the MS community, listen to their needs and deliver individualized support. Knowing that the MS community may have questions day or night, this service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At the heart of the MS LifeLines network is its call center, which in 2010 achieved a milestone in servicing one million in-bound calls. The call center provides individualized support and information, and can connect callers to many MS LifeLines services.
EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. sponsor the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America’s MRI Institute to assist individuals in acquiring one cranial MRI per year. The companies believe that a commitment to research in unlocking understanding of MS is critical to moving closer to our shared goal of a world free of this disease.
ABOUT MS: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated that there are approximately 400,000 people in the United States living with MS.
While symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of MS are the most common.
ABOUT REBIF:
Rebif is used to treat relapsing forms of MS to decrease the frequency of relapses and delay the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. Rebif is not approved for treatment of chronic progressive MS. Rebif is available in 22 mcg and 44 mcg prefilled, preassembled syringes and a titration pack by prescription only.
Rebif is used to treat relapsing forms of MS to decrease the frequency of relapses and delay the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. Rebif is not approved for treatment of chronic progressive MS. Rebif is available in 22 mcg and 44 mcg prefilled, preassembled syringes and a titration pack by prescription only.
Before beginning treatment, patients should discuss with their doctor the potential benefits and risks associated with Rebif. Let your doctor know if you have a history of depression, seizures, liver disease, thyroid problems, or blood cell count or bleeding problems, or if you have had previous allergic reactions to medications. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Rebif and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects. Talk to your doctor before you take any new medicines. Rebif is not recommended for women who are or plan to become pregnant.
Potential serious side effects of Rebif include depression and risk of suicide, liver problems, risk to pregnancy, injection-site problems, and severe allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are rare and may be associated with difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness, which require immediate medical attention.
The most common side effects with Rebif are injection-site reactions, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, tiredness), depression, abdominal pain, increased liver enzymes, and blood cell count decreases. Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms or feel sad, tired, hot or cold, or experience hives, rashes, bruising, yellowing of the skin, or a change in body weight (gain or loss).
This information is not intended to replace discussions with your doctor. For additional information about Rebif, please consult the Prescribing Information and Medication Guide at www.Rebif.com and talk to your doctor. You can also visit www.mslifelines.com or call toll-free 1-877-44-REBIF (1-877-447-3243). Rebif is available by prescription only.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
CONTACT: Erin-Marie Beals, [email protected], 781-681-2850
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