READING, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
InfoMedics, Inc., a company that engages patients and physicians to communicate
better through the delivery of treatment feedback, has poster presentations at
three industry conferences in October 2009. All of these studies provide a
unique look at real-life patient feedback regarding experiences with medications
for chronic conditions including ulcerative colitis (UC) and
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children.
The presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American College of
Gastroenterology, October 26-28, San Diego, CA, is the first detailed study of
the `real-life` perceptions and experiences of patients beginning and continuing
a new course of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), the mainstay of treatment for UC.
"As patients with UC frequently require life-long treatment, the attitudes and
experiences of patients beginning a new course of treatment may play an
important role in aiding adherence," said InfoMedics` Senior Director of
Analytic Services Donna Kerney, PhD, who co-authored the poster with Shire
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "In this study, we examined patients` experiences with the
5-ASA drug MMX mesalamine. The results were quite positive: the majority of
patients reported that this treatment reduced UC symptom severity and disruption
of daily activities, with 81% of patients reporting that they would continue to
take MMX mesalamine after the patient experience program."
"One of the results we find of particular value is the high adherence rate of
patients who participated in the patient experience program: 88% of patents
reported that they were fully adherent with MMX mesalamine therapy throughout
this program (i.e. took their medication every day, as prescribed). We believe
this is attributable not only to the efficacy of the drug in question, but to
the wealth of information and tools provided to participants," continued Dr.
Kerney. "Disease education and follow-up questions were a part of the baseline
survey, including strategies for managing UC and how MMX mesalamine works,
dealing with active disease (termed `flare-ups` in the survey), impact of food
on disease relapse, support groups, and when to notify their doctor about
abdominal pain. Patient feedback programs help physicians and patients
understand the "big picture" for each individual patient, assisting them in
overcoming many of the most common adherence hurdles."
Earlier this month, InfoMedics presented three patient feedback studies focused
on the effects of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX; Vyvanse, Shire US Inc.), a
long-acting prodrug stimulant indicated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD). Two of the studies focused on the adult population and were
presented at the 61st American Psychiatric Association Institute on Psychiatric
Services; October 8-11, New York, NY. Another study focused on the pediatric
population was presented at the 21st Annual International Conference on AD/HD
(CHADD), October 7-10, Cleveland, OH. These studies presented data gathered
through The New Start Survey Program which provides physicians with "real world"
perceptions from parents of children with ADHD and adults regarding the effects
of treatment on bothersome symptoms of ADHD throughout the day, and aspects of
satisfaction with current treatment compared with prior treatment regimens.
"Patient feedback programs are designed to not only inform physicians about
whether drugs are alleviating symptoms, but also to see the "real-world" impact
on their patients` daily lives," said Dr. Kerney. "In the case of the pediatric
ADHD study presented at CHADD, parents of children taking lisdexamfetamine
dimesylate (LDX) reported significantly less interference of ADHD symptoms with
their child`s family interactions, social interactions, homework, and school
activities. It is this kind of information that helps to build a more
"whole-patient" picture for physicians that goes beyond what can realistically
be achieved solely through office visits. InfoMedics prides itself on
significantly enhancing patient-physician communication, the benefits of which
can include building brand credibility and loyalty, encouraging
patient-physician dialogue, extending patient ownership and reinforcing the
prescribed treatment regimen."
Dr. Kerney`s coauthors were as follows:
Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology
* Troy Hamilton, PharmD; Michael Sumner, MD; Dory Sullivan, MD: Shire
Pharmaceuticals Inc.
* Neema Patel, Independent Consultant
* Medical writing support was provided by Duncan Campbell (GeoMed) with
financial support from Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc. This research was funded by
Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc.
21st Annual International Conference on AD/HD (CHADD)
* Patrick Hunt, PharmD, Jill Slater, PharmD: Shire Development Inc.
* Donna Antonucci, MD, Private Practice
* Frank A. Lopez, MD, Children`s Developmental Center, Winter Park, FL
* Michael Manos, PhD, Children`s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
* Writing and editorial assistance provided by Michael Pucci, PhD, and Samantha
Cappuccino-Williams of Health Learning Systems, part of CommonHealth
* Supported by funding from Shire Development Inc.
61st American Psychiatric Association Institute on Psychiatric Services
* Michael Manos, PhD, Children`s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
* Frank A. Lopez, MD, Children`s Developmental Center, Winter Park, FL
* Donna Antonucci, MD, Private Practice
* Writing and editorial assistance provided by Michael Pucci, PhD, and Samantha
Cappuccino-Williams of Health Learning Systems, part of CommonHealth
* Supported by funding from Shire Development Inc.
About InfoMedics, Inc.
InfoMedics, Inc. works with biopharmaceutical marketers to break down walls that
exist in health communications and enable doctors and patients to better
communicate about a treatment experience. We facilitate this communication by
inviting patients to provide feedback to their prescribing physician and then
deliver that feedback in a meaningful format directly to the physician. Patient
feedback is invited through existing brand message channels and then delivered
through a voice and web platform. Our goal is to help physicians make more
informed choices and patients to have a better care experience. Our approach is
rooted in behavioral science which enables our biopharmaceutical clients to
learn what makes some patients stick to the treatment plan, while others stop.
InfoMedics works with the world's top pharmaceutical companies, with brands,
large and small, and at all stages and challenges that arise during the product
lifecycle. Years of experience has generated proven results: the company's
programs increase brand awareness and loyalty among prescribing physicians and
improves adherence among prescribed patients. For more information about
InfoMedics, visit www.infomedics.com.
Matter Communications
Ariane Doud, 978-499-9250 Ext. 239
ariane@matternow.com
or
InfoMedics, Inc.
Amy Weickert, 781-904-4512
aweickert@infomedics.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
