Ferring Pharmaceuticals Launches New Campaign Urging Baby Boomers Turning 50 in 2014 to Celebrate their Health and Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferring Pharmaceuticals, the makers of PREPOPIK^® (sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid) announce the start of a national campaign with sportscaster Bob Papa and the Colon Cancer Alliance, aimed at encouraging the last of the Baby Boomer generation, born in 1964, to take a pledge and complete a screening colonoscopy to mark their 50^th birthdays. Prepopik is indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/66185-ferring-pharmaceuticals-prepopik-bob-papa-colonoscopy-campaign

The year-long 'Take a Stand against Colon Cancer' campaign is designed to encourage people age 50 (and younger for higher risk patients) to take an active part in managing their colon health. The campaign's call-to-action urges Baby Boomers to start a dialogue with their healthcare provider and educate themselves about the benefits of getting screened, and to learn more about available options for a positive prep experience and outcome.

The campaign kicks off today during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month at New York's landmark Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall with a birthday event featuring Bob Papa, and a special appearance by former NFL quarterback and current CBS Sports and WFAN personality, Boomer Esiason.

"Let's face it, no one looks forward to getting a colonoscopy, but I knew I was turning 50 this year and my doctor advised that this was a procedure I needed to have done. Like everyone else, I heard terrible stories about how the prep is the hardest part and admit I was a bit scared, but now that I've gone through it, I can genuinely say my experience was easy," said Papa. "My doctor said he doesn't have to see me for five years, but he also said the prep worked well, and gave him the clear view he needed! So now I tell everyone, don't wait on that colonoscopy, because early detection can potentially save your life."

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.^1,2 However, it is one of the more preventable cancers when caught early with screening. Colonoscopy, considered to be the "gold standard" of screening, has been shown to lower the risk of colorectal cancer-related deaths³, yet, only one in three Americans between the ages of 50 to 75 has undergone this procedure.

"For 15 years, the Colon Cancer Alliance has been focused on getting people screened for this largely preventable cancer and providing innovative patient empowerment services. We are pleased to work with Ferring and Bob Papa on this effort to help educate and remove barriers associated with getting a colonoscopy, including helping people get over the fear associated with the prep," said Eric Hargis, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance. "It is far scarier to get a cancer diagnosis, and we hope the proactive and preventive message of this campaign motivates people to get to the doctor and take control of their colon health by getting checked."

The campaign will make local stops that will be announced throughout the year. Key elements of the campaign that will be made available all year include:

• The 50th birthday pledge can be taken online at www.takeastandagainstcrc.com and shared socially with friends and family. For every pledge and share received, a $5 donation will be made to the Colon Cancer Alliance to help prevent cancer by reducing barriers to screening and empowering patients (a minimum donation of $5 up to a maximum of $10,000)
• Bob Papa's video diary
• Educational patient materials

Indication and Important Safety Information

Prepopik is a prescription medicine used by adults to clean the colon before a colonoscopy. Prepopik cleans your colon by causing you to have diarrhea. Cleaning your colon helps your healthcare provider see the inside of your colon more clearly during your colonoscopy.

• Do not take Prepopik if your healthcare provider has told you that you have serious kidney problems, a blockage in your intestine (bowel obstruction), an opening in the wall of your stomach or intestines (bowel perforation), a very dilated intestine (toxic megacolon), problems with the emptying of food and fluid from your stomach (gastric retention), or an allergy to any of the ingredients in Prepopik
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of a loss of too much body fluid (dehydration) while taking Prepopik: vomiting that prevents you from keeping down the additional prescribed amounts of clear liquids that you must drink after taking Prepopik, dizziness, urinating less often than normal, or headache
• Prepopik and other bowel preparations can cause serious side effects, including serious loss of body fluid (dehydration) and changes in blood salts (electrolytes) in your blood. These changes can cause abnormal heartbeats that can cause death, seizures (this can happen even if you have never had a seizure), or kidney problems. Your chance of having fluid loss and changes in blood salts with Prepopik is higher if you have heart problems, have kidney problems, or take water pills or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). The most common side effects of Prepopik include nausea, headache, and vomiting

Please see full prescribing information: http://www.prepopik.com/prepopik_prescribing_information.pdf

To learn more about "Taking A Stand against Colon Cancer," please visit: www.takeastandagainstcrc.com.

About PREPOPIK
PREPOPIK was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 17, 2012 based on data from the pivotal SEE CLEAR I and II studies.

PREPOPIK is an orange-flavored, dual-acting, stimulant and osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults. With 10 ounces of prep solution, PREPOPIK is the lowest volume prep solution for colon preparation available. Additional fluids are necessary.

PREPOPIK is available in two dosing options. It can be given as the ACG-recommended split-dose taken in the evening before and on the morning of the procedure. Day-before dosing is an alternative regimen for patients for whom split-dosing is inappropriate.

For more information on the dosing requirements, please click here: http://www.prepopik.com/prepopik_prescribing_information.pdf

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a subsidiary of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company. Ferring Pharmaceuticals specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, gastroenterology, infertility, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopaedics and urology. For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464); visit www.FerringUSA.com or www.PREPOPIK.com.

About the Colon Cancer Alliance
The Colon Cancer Alliance is the leading national patient advocacy organization dedicated to increasing colon cancer screening rates and survivorship.  The Colon Cancer Alliance is an active, caring community that provides hope and support to patients and their families, while saving lives through screening, access, awareness, advocacy and research. Visit www.ccalliance.org or call 877-422-2030 for more information.

PREPOPIK® is a registered trademark of Ferring B.V.

© 2014 Ferring B.V. All rights reserved.

PK/299/2014/US

Contact:
Lora Grassilli
Burson-Marsteller
212-614-4018
[email protected]

References

¹American Cancer Society, Colorectal Cancer. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2013.

²Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Colorectal Cancer Statistics; http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/statistics/. Accessed February 24, 2014.

³Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Basic Information About Colorectal Cancer. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/index.htm. July 18, 2011. Accessed March 11, 2013.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/66185-ferring-pharmaceuticals-prepopik-bob-papa-colonoscopy-campaign

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals