Statement From Bayer(R) Aspirin Regarding the American Medical Association's New...

Statement From Bayer(R) Aspirin Regarding the American Medical Association's
New Aspirin Policy Resolution

MORRISTOWN, N.J., June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- New health policies released
yesterday by the American Medical Association (AMA) include a resolution to
increase physician education about the importance of counseling patients on
the appropriate use of aspirin to prevent heart disease and stroke. Notably,
in the AMA's announcement release, the Association pointed to the strong
evidence supporting aspirin's benefits in preventing cardiovascular (CV)
events: "six trials, involving more than 95,000 adult men and women, have
shown aspirin may be effective in reducing the risk of heart attack and
stroke."(i)
As the makers of Bayer(R) Aspirin, we applaud the AMA for adopting this
policy, which will amplify the discussion of aspirin use for appropriate
patients as a proven, cost-effective strategy for preventing heart attacks and
strokes, the nation's number-one and number-three killers. With its emphasis
on physician counseling of patients about aspirin, the AMA resolution is an
important step in helping to address the well-documented problem of aspirin
underutilization in America.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S.,
affecting men, women and all ethnic groups. In fact, nearly 71 million people
are at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and, according to the American
Heart Association (AHA), every 26 seconds an American will suffer a coronary
event.
Aspirin's potential to reduce the burden of CVD is underscored in a
Partnership For Prevention report, which ranked 25 evidence-based clinical
preventive services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task
Force (USPSTF) and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices based on these
services' health impact and economic value; aspirin counseling was rated the
number-one preventive health service that, if optimized, would dramatically
contribute to improved public health. The report also states that 45,000
lives would be saved each year if more adults took a daily low-dose aspirin to
prevent heart disease.
Aspirin is one of the most extensively studied drugs in history, with a
110-year track record of efficacy and safety. More than 200,000 patients have
been studied in more than 200 randomized clinical trials evaluating aspirin
efficacy and safety across a range of doses. When taken regularly, aspirin has
been shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and recurrent
stroke. However, despite its well-established benefits, including support from
guidelines recommendations by AHA, USPSTF, American Diabetes Association,
World Health Organization and other health organizations, aspirin is widely
underutilized in the United States and the world over. Reports show aspirin is
used by only about half of those who should be using it to prevent CV events.
Bayer is committed to improving public health by promoting the safe and
appropriate use of aspirin for CV event prevention. In addition to supporting
numerous scientific studies in cardiovascular disease, Bayer has meaningful
partnerships with many organizations, including AHA, PFP, WomenHeart: The
National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, and the National Stroke
Association, to help raise awareness of the risks of CVD and ways to help
control risk factors, including increasing the appropriate use of aspirin
therapy.
About Bayer Consumer Care
The Consumer Care Division of Bayer HealthCare LLC, is headquartered in
Morristown, N.J. Bayer's Consumer Care Division is among the largest
marketers of over-the-counter medications and nutritional supplements in the
world. Some of the most trusted and recognizable brands in the world today
come from the Bayer portfolio of products. These include Bayer(R) Aspirin,
ALEVE(R), Flanax(R)/Apronax(R), Alka-Seltzer Plus(R), Bactine(R), RID(R),
Phillips'(R) Milk of Magnesia, Midol(R), Alka-Seltzer(R), Talcid(R),
Rennie(R), Canesten(R), Bepanthen(R), Bepanthol(R), One A Day(R) vitamins,
Flintstones(TM) vitamins, Supradyn(R), Redoxon(R), Berocca(R),
Cal-D-Vita/Elevit(R), Vital 50 Plus(R), CardioAspirin(R).
The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the
fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a
subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in
the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen,
Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health,
Consumer Care, Diabetes Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The
pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering Pharma AG.
Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will
improve human and animal health worldwide. Find more information at
www.bayerhealthcare.com.
(i) American Medical Association. AMA adopts new policies at annual
meeting (press release). Chicago, IL, June 17, 2008.
SOURCE Bayer Consumer Care

Bayer HealthCare LLC Consumer Care, +1-800-331-4536