NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PamLab L.L.C., developer and marketer of Metanx®, announced today that a study published in The American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits demonstrates the effects of Metanx® on commercially insured patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN). Patients in the Metanx® group had lower risks of hospitalization and a reduction of disease related costs. The retrospective study, conducted by Rolin Wade RPh, MS from Cerner Research in Culver City, compared two well-matched groups of 814 patients with DPN; one of which was prescribed the medical food, Metanx®. The study showcased the fact that the Metanx® patient group had an average of $2,258 lower disease-related costs in 12 months of follow-up.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is caused by disruption in the natural metabolic processes in blood vessels and peripheral nerve tissues, a common complication of diabetes. People who have DPN have a higher incidence of diabetes-related conditions such as coronary artery disease, back pain, limb amputations, depression, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and limb infections, along with a need to typically manage pain when compared to patients who have diabetes without neuropathy.
In the study of commercially insured patients with DPN, the Metanx® treated group had a lower all-cause hospitalization risk during the follow up period than the non-Metanx® group. The study reports that Metanx®, a medical food, may have a favorable clinical and cost benefit to DPN patients and should be considered when making treatment decisions. This study was conducted in a manner to ensure patient anonymity and the safeguarding of all medical data.
Commenting on the study publication, author Wade stated that, “This study supports previous findings that managing the underlying condition is vital in diabetes. One of the biggest health care challenges in the U.S. is diabetes, with peripheral neuropathy being a serious complication that can lead to infection, hospitalization and even amputation. I was pleased to be able to work with PamLab to conduct this study using one of the largest insurance claims databases in the U.S. to show that therapy with Metanx was associated with lower rates of hospitalization and overall treatment costs compared to matched controls.”
About Medical Foods and Metanx®
As regulated by the FDA, medical foods are specially formulated to manage a specific disease or condition for which medical evaluation, based on recognized scientific principles, has established distinct nutritional requirements. All components of a medical food must have GRAS status (Generally Recognized as Safe) as designated by the FDA or independent review.
Metanx® is a medical food dispensed by prescription and indicated for the distinct nutritional requirements of patients with endothelial dysfunction who present with loss of protective sensation and neuropathic pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Metanx® contains the active forms of folate and Vitamins B12 and B6 (L-methylfolate, methylcobalamin, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, respectively). Metanx® offers a nutritional benefit, needed by diabetics with peripheral neuropathy, by improving endothelial function and maintaining blood flow in the vessels that carry important nutrients and oxygen to the peripheral nerves.
About PamLab, L.L.C.
PamLab, L.L.C., founded in 1957, is a fully integrated pharmaceutical company specializing in medical foods indicated for the nutritional support of specific disease states including diabetic neuropathy, depression and early memory loss.
About Cerner
Cerner is contributing to the systemic change of health and care delivery. For more than 30 years Cerner has been executing its vision to make health care safer and more efficient. We started with the foundation of digitizing paper processes and now offer the most comprehensive array of information software, professional services, medical device integration, remote hosting and employer health and wellness services. Cerner systems are used by everyone from individual consumers, to single-doctor practices, hospitals, employers and entire countries. Taking what we’ve learned over more than three decades, Cerner is building on the knowledge that is in the system to support evidence-based clinical decisions, prevent medical errors and empower patients in their care.
Cerner® solutions are licensed by approximately 9,300 facilities around the world, including more than 2,650 hospitals; 3,750 physician practices; 40,000 physicians; 500 ambulatory facilities, such as laboratories, ambulatory centers, cardiac facilities, radiology clinics and surgery centers; 800 home health facilities; 40 employer sites and 1,600 retail pharmacies.
Certain trademarks, service marks and logos (collectively, the “Marks”) set forth herein are owned by Cerner Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and certain other countries throughout the world. All other non-Cerner Marks are the property of their respective owners. Nasdaq: CERN. For more information about Cerner, please visit www.cerner.com, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
CONTACT:
Mackenzie Mills
SpecOps Communications
212-518-7721
Mackenzie@specopscomm.com
Timothy Prince
Brand Manager, Metanx®
PamLab, L.L.C.
985-867-5759
SOURCE PamLab L.L.C.
