PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Osteoarthritis (OA), the second most common diagnosis and leading cause of disability, is on the rise(1). This trend can have a substantial impact on managed care organizations and employers -- in terms of costs from reduced productivity and medical treatment.
To address the issue and suggest alternative options and possible solutions, Ferring Pharmaceuticals launched the Ferring Managed Care Trend Report: Osteoarthritis, now available at no charge. Based on surveys and interviews with hundreds of medical professionals and managed care organizations, as well as data from published literature, this first-in-class report presents a comprehensive overview of the issues and trends in the coverage and treatment of osteoarthritis from the viewpoint of multiple stakeholders.
The Ferring-commissioned report presents the views of managed care pharmacy and medical directors, orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, sports medicine and primary care physicians on delivering osteoarthritis treatment in a managed care environment. Results from original research surveys and interviews with key stakeholder group members are discussed within the context of industry trends that affect the delivery of care, and strategies that may improve treatment coverage. The 68-page report covers current trends among employers in managing costs of OA of the knee, trends among specialists in knee OA management, and reimbursement for viscosupplement/ hyaluronic acid (HA) products.
"Ferring developed the report to build awareness of the rising incidence of OA and exhibit the financial impact of various treatment options for managed care and employers," said William Garbarini, Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Orthopaedics Business Unit at Ferring. "There are multiple treatment options for OA of the knee, such as HA therapy, and it is important that the industry take a look at how each of these treatments can play a role in saving costs and employee productivity for employers. Using HA therapy earlier in the course of the treatment regimen may provide optimal, cost- effective results by delaying surgery."
The report was designed to help managed care organizations and employer groups answer questions such as: What is the financial impact of the rise in OA? How are various treatments reimbursed? Are there effective, less costly treatments that will delay or eliminate the need for surgery? Are these treatments being used soon enough? The report also contains articles by medical experts on OA treatment.
The free report is available exclusively through Ferring Pharmaceutical customer account executives. To reach a customer account executive in your area, call 888-337-7464.
About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc., part of the Ferring Group, is a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company. Ferring's line of orthopaedic products includes EUFLEXXA(TM), hyaluronic acid for pain from osteoarthritis in the knee. Urology products include degarelix for prostate cancer (Phase III) and Minirin Melt for bladder dysfunction (Phase III).
Ferring also markets markets BRAVELLE(R) (urofollitropin for injection, purified), MENOPUR(R) and REPRONEX(R) (menotropins for injection, USP), Novarel(R) (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP) and ENDOMETRIN (progesterone) Vaginal Insert, 100 mg in the U.S. to infertility specialists and their patients. Ferring also 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 triflutate for injection) for the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome and DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE in injectable and rhinal tube forms for the treatment of diabetes insipidus 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, call 888-337-7464 or visit www.FerringUSA.com.
(1) Ferring Consolidated Data, July 2006
Ferring PharmaceuticalsCONTACT: Tara Fisher of Kovak-Likly Communications, +1-203-762-8833,tfisher@klcpr.com
Web site: http://www.FerringUSA.com/
