Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13688

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

 

Publication type: news

Shire Launches Nationwide Adult ADHD Mobile Awareness Tour
PR Newswire 2008 May 12
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4PRN/is_2008_May_12/ai_n25407447

Notes:

Shire markets Adderall, Adderall XR (“Extended Release”), and Vyvanse, all used in the treatment of ADHD.

Full text:

ADHD screening initiative launches in Atlanta and continues for 90 days; Shire expects up to 20,000 adults to self-screen for ADHD in 13 cities across the country

PHILADELPHIA, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Shire plc , the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced the launch of a 13-city mobile screening initiative for adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 4.4 percent of the U.S. adult population aged 18-44 according to the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, a nationally representative household survey. The screening initiative, launched in Atlanta, GA, is designed to help raise awareness that ADHD is not just a childhood disorder. Research shows it is estimated that up to 65 percent of children with ADHD will continue to exhibit symptoms into adulthood. Adults who think they may have ADHD can take the first step toward recognizing the symptoms of the disorder by answering the 6-question World Health Organization (W.H.O.) adult ADHD screener. The screening initiative, known as the “RoADHD Trip,” is housed, transported and anchored by the RoADHD Trip Tractor Trailer which expands into a tented area housing eight self-screening stations.

“Shire developed this mobile screening initiative as a forum to educate the public about ADHD in adults and provide information and resources to individuals about this disorder,” said Gerardo Torres, M.D., Vice President and Scientific Lead, of Shire’s ADHD Business Unit. “This program demonstrates Shire’s on-going commitment to providing information for those who may be struggling with the symptoms of ADHD.”

In each of the 13 cities, Shire is partnering with the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), a leading adult ADHD patient advocacy organization, in an effort to assist up to 20,000 adults to self-screen for this disorder. Volunteers from ADDA will also be on-site to answer questions about ADHD in adults and to provide information about their organization. The W.H.O. adult ADHD screener, a questionnaire that is used to help recognize the symptoms of ADHD, will be available via on-site computers to help facilitate self evaluations. The W.H.O. screener is not designed to provide a diagnosis of ADHD but may provide information to participants regarding the symptoms of ADHD. Participants should discuss any questions they have regarding the W.H.O. screener results and other concerns about ADHD with their physician.

“Seeking information and speaking to qualified health care professionals are critical steps to diagnosis and management of ADHD,” further explained Dr. Torres. “This initiative is an important first step to encourage that dialogue between patients and their physicians.”

The symptoms of ADHD may lead to potentially serious consequences in adults. Surveys have shown that when compared with their non-ADHD peers, adults with ADHD may be:

— Three times more likely to be currently unemployed; — Two times more likely to have problems keeping friends; — Forty-seven percent more likely to have trouble saving money to pay bills; — Two times more likely to have been involved in three or more car crashes; — Forty-seven percent more likely to have received more than one speeding ticket in a 12-month period.

Adults who think they may have ADHD are invited to participate in a free self-screening when Shire’s ADHD “RoADHD Trip,” arrives in their area. The events will take in Atlanta, GA; Alpharetta, GA; Raleigh, NC; Simpsonville, SC; Albany, NY; Nashville, TN; York, PA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Taylor, MI; Ionia, MI; and Columbus, OH.

To find out specific dates of each of the screening events and for ADHD information in general, please visit http://www.adhdsupport.com/ or ADD.org.

About ADHD

ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Approximately 7.8 percent of all school-aged children, or about 4.4 million U.S. children aged 4 to 17 years, have been diagnosed with ADHD at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The disorder is also estimated to affect 4.4 percent of U.S. adults aged 18-44 based on results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, a nationally representative household survey, which used a lay-administered diagnostic interview to assess a wide range of DSM-IV disorders. ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that manifests as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development. To be properly diagnosed with ADHD, a child needs to demonstrate at least six of nine symptoms of inattention; and/or at least six of nine symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity; the onset of which appears before age 7 years; that some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g., at school and home); that the symptoms continue for at least six months; and that there is clinically significant impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning and the symptoms cannot be better explained by another psychiatric disorder.

Although there is no “cure” for ADHD, there are accepted treatments that specifically target its symptoms. The most common standard treatments include educational approaches, psychological or behavioral modification, and medication.

SHIRE PLC

Shire’s strategic goal is to become the leading specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), human genetic therapies (HGT), gastrointestinal (GI) and renal diseases. The structure is sufficiently flexible to allow Shire to target new therapeutic areas to the extent opportunities arise through acquisitions. Shire’s in-licensing, merger and acquisition efforts are focused on products in niche markets with strong intellectual property protection either in the US or Europe. Shire believes that a carefully selected portfolio of products with strategically aligned and relatively small-scale sales forces will deliver strong results.

“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements included herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the event such risks or uncertainties materialize, Shire’s results could be materially affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with: the inherent uncertainty of pharmaceutical research, product development including, but not limited to the successful development of JUVISTA (Human TGF3) and velaglucerase alfa (GA-GCB); manufacturing and commercialization including, but not limited to, the establishment in the market of VYVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”)); the impact of competitive products, including, but not limited to, the impact of those on Shire’s ADHD franchise; patents, including but not limited to, legal challenges relating to Shire’s ADHD franchise; government regulation and approval, including but not limited to the expected product approval date of INTUNIV (guanfacine extended release) (ADHD); Shire’s ability to secure new products for commercialization and/or development; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Shire plc’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Shire plc’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

CONTACT: Elizabeth True, +1-212-601-8173, Elizabeth.True@porternovelli.com, or Alana Brier, +1-212-601-8432, Alana.Brier@porternovelli.com, both of Porter Novelli, for Shire

Web site: http://www.shire.com/ http://www.adhdsupport.com/ http://add.org/