Nationwide Survey Shows Infertility Patients Prefer ENDOMETRIN(R) Compared With Other Progesterone Supplements

    PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of a nationwide
 survey of infertility patients undergoing an assisted reproductive
 technology treatment (ART), such as in vitro fertilization, revealed that
 patients prefer ENDOMETRIN(R) (progesterone) Vaginal Inserts to
 progesterone-in-oil (PIO) injections, and to all other vaginal progesterone
 supplements. The reasons cited most frequently for their preference
 included easy, convenient and pain-free administration.
 
     Adequate progesterone support is considered extremely important for a
 successful pregnancy. Since natural progesterone production may be
 compromised by ART, progesterone supplements are used extensively for
 luteal phase and early pregnancy support. There are several forms: oral,
 injection, and vaginal -- tablet inserts, vaginal capsules, suppositories
 and gels.
 
     "The survey confirms what we hear all the time from patients -- that
 when they reach the final stage of their IVF treatment, the last thing they
 want is another series of shots or inconvenient treatments," said Christine
 Stroup, RN. "Our patients are very pleased with ENDOMETRIN because it's
 simple to use and very convenient."
 
     "I've tried just about every progesterone treatment available, and was
 so happy to find one that didn't hurt, like shots, and wasn't messy, like
 gels and suppositories," said Victoria Knapp, IVF patient. "After all those
 cycles of treatment I went through, it was a relief to find one that was so
 simple to use."
 
     The Evaluation of Attitudes and Satisfaction with Endometrin Survey of
 212 patients was commissioned by Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. to compare
 patient satisfaction with ENDOMETRIN, the most recent progesterone
 supplement to enter the market, with all other progesterone supplements.
 
     Key Survey Findings
 
 

     --  More than 90 percent of patients would recommend ENDOMETRIN to a friend
         undergoing infertility treatment, 84 percent would request it for their
         next treatment cycle, and 93 percent found the dosing regimen easy to
         fit into their daily routine.  When asked to describe it in three words,
         the most common were: "easy, convenient, painless and
         comfortable."
 

     --  The vast majority found the vaginal inserts more convenient (87
         percent), comfortable (89 percent), and easier to administer (95
         percent) compared with injections, taken by 154 respondents.  Of the
         women who needed a partner to administer the shots, most (65 percent)
         said their partner felt anxious about it.
 

     --  Of the 62 women who used the capsules administered vaginally, most said
         ENDOMETRIN was more convenient (74 percent), comfortable (nearly 70
         percent), and easier to administer (83 percent).
 

     --  Patients found suppositories, made by the pharmacy, awkward to
         administer without an applicator.  Of the 83 women who used them, nearly
         90 percent said they melted or leaked, and more than half said they
         caused irritation.
 

     --  Nearly 80 percent of the 26 gel users said gel created build-up, nearly
         50 percent found gel messy to administer and more than one-third said it
         caused irritation.
 

     --  While 20 of the 40 women who used the oral form preferred the
         administration convenience of ENDOMETRIN and 13 preferred the oral
         supplement, the oral form is widely considered less effective than other
         options.
     Methodology
 
     Nurses at more than 60 designated fertility centers across the country
 selected qualified patients who had used or were about to start ENDOMETRIN
 in an IVF or ovulation induction cycle. Patients must also have used a
 different progesterone supplement in a previous or current cycle. The
 survey reflects the patient's most recent treatment cycle. The majority of
 the 212 patients were 40-years-old or younger; nearly 40 percent had been
 in fertility treatment for more than two years.
 
     About ENDOMETRIN
 
     ENDOMETRIN administered as a progesterone vaginal insert is indicated
 to support embryo implantation and early pregnancy by supplementation of
 corpus luteal function as part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
 treatment for infertile women.
 
     Only physicians thoroughly familiar with infertility treatment should
 prescribe ENDOMETRIN. In clinical trials (n=808), adverse reactions that
 occurred at a rate greater than or equal to two percent included: uterine
 spasm (3% to 4%) and vaginal bleeding (3%). Vaginal irritation, itching,
 burning or discomfort, urticaria, and peripheral edema were reported at an
 incidence of less than two percent. ENDOMETRIN is expected to have adverse
 reactions to other drugs containing progesterone (breast tenderness,
 bloating, mood swings, irritability, and drowsiness).
 
     About Ferring Pharmaceuticals
 
     Ferring Pharmaceuticals, part of the Ferring Group, a privately owned,
 international pharmaceutical company, manufactures and markets the largest
 family of fertility treatments of any manufacturer in the U.S. The Company
 markets MENOPUR(R) (menotropins for injection, USP), BRAVELLE(R)
 (urofollitropin for injection, purified), REPRONEX(R) (menotropins for
 injection, USP), NOVAREL(R) (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP) and
 ENDOMETRIN in the U.S. to infertility specialists and their patients.
 Ferring also offers the Q?CAP(TM), the first and only needle-free
 reconstitution device, for use with its fertility treatments.
 
     Ferring's line of orthopaedic and urology products includes EUFLEXXA(R)
 (1% sodium hyaluronate) hyaluronic acid for pain from osteoarthritis in the
 knee and PROSED(R)/DS for the relief of discomfort of the lower urinary
 tract. Other products include: ACTHREL(R) (corticorelin ovine triflutate
 for injection) for the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome; and
 DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE in injectable and rhinal tube forms for the treatment
 of diabetes insipidus and primary nocturnal enuresis.
 
     The Ferring Group specializes in the research, development and
 commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology,
 urology, gastroenterology, obstetrics/ gynecology and infertility. For more
 information, call 888-337-7464 or visit www.ferringusa.com or
 www.ferringfertility.com.
 
     Contact Andrea Preston for full prescribing information for ENDOMETRIN.
 
 
 
 
 

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals