Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. Congratulates All 2011 Summer National Senior Games Athletes

PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. proudly sponsors the 2011 Summer National Senior Games (NSG) in Houston in an effort to help increase awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle—the cornerstone of healthy aging.

The NSG is the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors and is organized by the National Senior Games Association, a non-profit member of the United States Olympic Committee, which is dedicated to motivating senior men and women to lead healthy lifestyles through exercise and fitness.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals, the makers of EUFLEXXA^® (1 percent sodium hyaluronate), a prescription treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain, recognizes that a major part of healthy aging is staying fit and active even when facing chronic diseases like knee osteoarthritis (OA). Knee OA is one of the five leading causes of disability among men and women.¹ Additionally, women are disproportionately impacted by the burden of OA. Of the nearly 27 million people affected by OA, approximately 16 million are women.^2,3

Last month, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. launched the W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx Campaign (Women's Arthritic Knee Education), a national public awareness initiative to help address the disproportionately high number of women impacted by knee OA. In order to maintain mobility and health, it is important for those suffering from knee OA and the associated pain to educate themselves and their loved ones about appropriate treatment options by speaking with their physicians.

Gloria Gaynor, the national W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx campaign spokesperson, will help kick off the NSG Opening Ceremonies with a performance of her GRAMMY^® award winning song, "I Will Survive"—a tale of personal strength and perseverance.  The EUFLEXXA^® team will also have a series of special contests and prizes onsite at their booth promoting the need to remain fit and active.

"Whether you are a seasoned triathlete or embarking on your first relay race, OA knee pain can affect people at every athletic level.  That is why we are excited to be a sponsor of this year's Games and look forward to an event filled with sportsmanship that promotes healthy lifestyles and celebrates the core tenants of fit, healthy aging," commented Paul Maccini, Business Unit Head of Orthopaedics, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.

For more information and to stay up-to-date about EUFLEXXA^® at the NSG, please visit www.Facebook.com/Euflexxa or www.Euflexxa.com.

About W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx Campaign

W.A.K.E. Up & Flexx (Women's Arthritic Knee Education), is a national public awareness campaign sponsored by Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. to help address the disproportionately high number of women impacted by knee osteoarthritis.  The campaign encourages women who suffer from osteoarthritis knee pain to speak with their physicians about their treatment options and steps to help maintain healthy, active lifestyles.

About EUFLEXXA^® (1 percent sodium hyaluronate)

EUFLEXXA^® is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis.  It is used in people who do not get enough relief from simple pain medications such as acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy.

Important Safety Information

You should not receive this product if you have had any previous allergic reaction to EUFLEXXA^® or hyaluronan products. You should not have an injection into the knee if you have a knee joint infection or if you have skin disease or infection around the injection site.

EUFLEXXA^® is only for injection into the knee performed by a qualified doctor. After you receive this injection you may need to avoid activities such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting or standing on your feet for a long time (more than one hour). The safety and effectiveness of repeat treatment cycles of EUFLEXXA^® have not been established. The safety and effectiveness of EUFLEXXA^® have not been shown in people under 18 years of age.

Side effects sometimes seen when EUFLEXXA^® is injected into the knee joint were pain, swelling, skin irritation, and tenderness and these were generally mild and did not last long.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a subsidiary of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company. Ferring Pharmaceuticals offers a line of products in the U.S. market. They include: BRAVELLE^® (urofollitropin for injection, purified), MENOPUR^® (menotropins for injection, USP) and REPRONEX^® (menotropins for injection, USP), Novarel^® (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP), ENDOMETRIN^® (progesterone) Vaginal Insert, LYSTEDA™ (tranexamic acid tablets), FIRMAGON^® (degarelix for injection), PROSED^® DS (methenamine, phenyl salicylate, methylene blue, benzoic acid, hyoscyamine sulfate), and EUFLEXXA^® (1 percent sodium hyaluronate).

Ferring Pharmaceuticals specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, obstetrics/gynecology, and infertility. For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464) or visit www.FerringUSA.com.

Please see full prescribing information at www.Euflexxa.com

(1) "Frequently Asked Questions about Osteoarthritis of the Knee." American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00228

(2) American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.  (2007). Frequently Asked Questions about Osteoarthritis of the Knee.  Retrieved Mar. 8, 2011, from, http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00228

(3) Arthritis Foundation.  (2011). Arthritis in Women.  Retrieved Mar. 8, 2011, from, http://www.arthritis.org/women.php

Contact:
Jessye Casale
212.614.4805
[email protected]

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.