COLLEGEVILLE, Pa., June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an ongoing commitment to the hemophilia community, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth , announced today the introduction of the Self-Infusion Training Kit, a unique training tool with life-like hand and elbow models that allows individuals to practice techniques for administering hemophilia treatment. The Self-Infusion Training Kit will be available at no cost to U.S. hemophilia treatment centers for health care professionals to use to educate young people with hemophilia and their families.
"Learning the technical skills needed for self-infusion is a considerable challenge for many young people and their families. Using the life-like models, individuals can feel for a vein, insert a butterfly needle and infuse liquid (mock product) into the model veins. This practice tool will allow young people and their families to gain confidence and experience with the infusion treatment process," says Gary L. Stiles, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
The comprehensive kit contains synthetic hand and elbow models, which were modeled upon the dimensions of a representative 10-year-old boy. The hand and elbow models feature replaceable artificial skin and veins that allow for repeated practice. The veins inside the model are injection-molded plastic and are designed for five practice infusions before disposal. The replaceable skin is designed for 10 practice infusions. Replacement skin and veins will be available from local Wyeth representatives.
"Self-infusion is an important skill for people with hemophilia. We are very pleased to provide this teaching tool for hemophilia treatment center staff and address an unmet need in hemophilia education and treatment," adds Dr. Stiles.
The kit also includes an infusion mat, tourniquet, butterfly needles, a biohazard disposal container, flush syringe and ReFacto(R) Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant) R2 Kits for demonstration purposes only. The ReFacto R2 Kit allows patients to practice clotting factor preparation, in addition to infusion. The R2 kits include a prefilled diluent syringe, a vial adaptor and an infusion set. The Self-Infusion Training Kit also contains a CD-ROM for patients and their family members that explains the preparation process.
About Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a rare, inherited blood clotting disorder for which there currently is no cure. People with hemophilia are deficient in one of the key proteins -- either factor VIII (hemophilia A) or factor IX (hemophilia B) -- that are vital in the clotting cascade to prevent bleeding. Both forms of hemophilia are characterized by spontaneous hemorrhages or prolonged bleeding, typically into joints and soft tissue. Patients with hemophilia A or hemophilia B are dependent on protein replacement therapy with factor VIII or factor IX, respectively, for life.
About ReFacto
ReFacto is indicated for the control and prevention of hemorrhagic episodes and for surgical prophylaxis and for short-term routine prophylaxis to reduce the frequency of spontaneous bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A. The effect of regular routine prophylaxis on long-term morbidity and mortality is unknown.
Important Safety Information * As with the intravenous administration of any protein product, adverse reactions may include headache, fever, chills, flushing, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, or symptoms of allergic reactions. * The remote possibility exists for hypersensitivity to non-human mammalian proteins. Known hypersensitivity to mouse or hamster proteins may be a contraindication to the use of ReFacto. * Allergic reactions such as hives, itching, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, light-headedness and anaphylaxis have been reported for all factor VIII products. Patients should discontinue use of the product and contact their health care provider immediately and/or seek emergency care if any of these symptoms occur. Please see the Prescribing Information at hemophiliavillage.com
About Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, has leading products in the areas of women's health care, infectious disease, gastrointestinal health, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products. Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and non-prescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health.
The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include the inherent uncertainty of the timing and success of, and expense associated with, research, development, regulatory approval and commercialization of our products, including with respect to our pipeline products; government cost-containment initiatives; restrictions on third-party payments for our products; substantial competition in our industry, including from branded and generic products; data generated on our products; the importance of strong performance from our principal products and our anticipated new product introductions; the highly regulated nature of our business; product liability, intellectual property and other litigation risks and environmental liabilities; uncertainty regarding our intellectual property rights and those of others; difficulties associated with, and regulatory compliance with respect to, manufacturing of our products; risks associated with our strategic relationships; economic conditions including interest and currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; trade buying patterns; the impact of legislation and regulatory compliance; risks and uncertainties associated with global operations and sales; and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K, particularly the discussion under the caption "Item 1A, Risk Factors." The forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these risk factors. We assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Wyeth PharmaceuticalsCONTACT: Media, Candace Steele of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, +1-484-865-5428;or Investor Contact: Justin Victoria of Wyeth, +1-973-660-5340
Web site: http://www.hemophiliavillage.com//
