Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Congratulates R&B and Pop Icon Gloria Gaynor, Named 'Woman of the Year' by Arthritis Foundation

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. congratulates GRAMMY® award-winning recording artist Gloria Gaynor, who will receive the inaugural Woman of the Year award from the Arthritis Foundation's New York Chapter.  As part of the Foundation's arthritis awareness initiative, Women on the Move, Gaynor is being recognized for her formidable personal and professional accomplishments despite being diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee more than 25 years ago.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, women older than 50 years of age are more likely to develop OA of the knee than men, and approximately 60 percent of OA sufferers are women. (1) (2)

Following her diagnosis in 1984, Gaynor struggled with appropriate treatment options for 25 years.  As the national spokesperson for EUFLEXXA® (1 percent sodium hyaluronate) , a hyaluronic acid treatment therapy for the pain associated with knee OA, Gaynor has passionately advocated the need for increased awareness of OA knee pain, treatment options and the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

"We are excited that the Arthritis Foundation has decided to honor Gloria in this way and help bring much needed attention to a disease where approximately 16 million of the nearly 27 million impacted are women," said Paul Maccini, Business Unit Head of Orthopaedics, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.  

Gaynor's hit 1978 record "I Will Survive" is a veritable anthem for anyone facing seemingly insurmountable odds, and in 1980, Gaynor earned the only GRAMMY® ever to be given for a Disco recording for "I Will Survive."

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, 100 mg, 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.

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

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

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.