Medunik USA announces two savings programs that allow families affected by sickle cell disease to pay as little as $0 for their child's Siklos® prescription

ROSEMONT, PA, March 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Medunik USA, a company dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of Americans with rare diseases by making orphan drugs available in the U.S., is proud to announce two savings programs to help families pay as little as $0 for their child's Siklos® prescription.

As the first and only FDA-approved hydroxyurea-based treatment indicated to reduce the frequency of painful crises and to reduce the need for blood transfusions in pediatric patients two years of age and older with sickle cell anemia with recurrent moderate to severe painful crises,¹ it is especially important that Siklos® is affordable for families whose children need it.

"Medunik USA is committed to providing Siklos® at the lowest possible cost to all patients. That is why we offer both an eVoucher program and the Siklos At Home™ program, as well as a Patient Assistance Program for families who need it", affirmed Dean Hopkins, Medunik USA's General Manager.

With the Siklos® eVoucher program, savings are applied automatically when an eligible Siklos® prescription is presented at a participating retail pharmacy — no coupon or copay card necessary. (An estimated 80% of U.S. retail pharmacies are enrolled, including all major retail chains.)

With the Siklos At Home® program, offered through ProCare Pharmacy Care, families save on the cost of their child's prescription and also receive free home delivery*, on-staff pharmacists to answer product questions, assistance with insurance benefit verification and monthly refill reminders.

Families who do not have prescription insurance or whose insurance does not cover Siklos® can enjoy the same Siklos At Home® benefits and pay only:

• 100 mg tablets: $99/60 tablets or $149/90 tablets
• 1,000 mg tablets: $16.50/tablet

In addition to these two savings programs, Medunik USA offers a Patient Assistance Program that allows eligible families to receive Siklos® at no charge.

For more information about Siklos® tablets, please visit siklosusa.com.

* Minimum $99 order

Siklos® (hydroxyurea) tablets, for oral use

WHAT IS SIKLOS®?
Siklos® is a prescription medicine that is used to reduce the frequency of painful crises and reduce the need for blood transfusions in children, 2 years of age and older, with sickle cell anemia with recurrent moderate to severe painful crises.

It is not known if Siklos® is safe and effective in children less than 2 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: LOW BLOOD CELL COUNT and CANCER
See full prescribing information for complete Boxed Warning.

• Low blood cell counts are common with Siklos®, including low red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and can be severe and life threatening. If your white blood cell count becomes very low, you are at increased risk for infection. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts before and during treatment with Siklos®. Your healthcare provider may change your dose or tell you to stop taking Siklos® if you have low blood cell counts. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms: fever or chills; shortness of breath; body aches; unusual headache; feeling very tired; bleeding or unexplained bruising.
• Cancer. Some people have developed cancer, such as leukemia and skin cancer, after taking Siklos® for a long time. Your healthcare provider will check you for cancer. You should protect your skin from the sun using sunblock, hats, and sun-protective clothing.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SIKLOS®?

• Siklos® can harm your unborn baby.
• For females taking Siklos® who can become pregnant:
• You should talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of Siklos® to your unborn baby.
• You should use effective birth control during treatment with Siklos® and for at least 6 months after treatment with Siklos®.
• Your healthcare provider will perform a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Siklos®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
• For males taking Siklos®. Siklos® can affect your sperm. If you have a female sexual partner who can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control during treatment with Siklos® and for at least 6 months after treatment.
• Siklos® may cause fertility problems in males. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
  

WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE SIKLOS®?
Do not take Siklos® if you are allergic to hydroxyurea or any of the ingredients in Siklos®. See the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients in Siklos®.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TELL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE TAKING SIKLOS®?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have kidney problems or are receiving hemodialysis
• have liver problems
• have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or take HIV medicines. Taking Siklos® with certain HIV medicines can cause serious reactions and may lead to death.
• have increased levels of uric acid in your blood (hyperuricemia)
• have a history of receiving interferon therapy or are currently receiving interferon therapy
• have leg wounds or ulcers
• plan to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive "live vaccines" during treatment with Siklos®.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. See "What is the most important information I should know about Siklos®?"
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Siklos® can pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with Siklos®.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF SIKLOS®?
Siklos® may cause serious side effects, including:
See "What is the most important information I should know about Siklos®?"

• Skin ulcers, including leg ulcers have happened in people who take Siklos®. This has happened most often in people who receive interferon therapy or have a history of interferon therapy. Your healthcare provider will decrease your dose or stop treatment with Siklos® if you develop any skin ulcers.
• Enlarged red blood cells (macrocytosis). Macrocytosis is common in people who take Siklos® and can make it difficult to detect a decrease of folic acid. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a folic acid supplement for you.

The most common side effects of Siklos® include:

• Infections
• Headache
• Fever
• Skin problems (e.g., skin reactions, dry skin, changes in skin and nail color)
• Stomach and intestine (gastrointestinal) problems (e.g. nausea, constipation)
• Decrease in vitamin D
• Weight gain

These are not all the possible side effects of Siklos®.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch, or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please read the Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use, at www.siklosusa.com.

References
1. Siklos® (hydroxyurea) tablets, for oral use [Prescribing Information]. Addmedica, May 2018.

About Medunik USA
Based in Pennsylvania, Medunik USA works to improve the health and quality of life of Americans living with rare diseases by making orphan drug therapies available in the United States. With strategic partnerships at the global level, the company has critical experience in approval and market access processes as well as the marketing of orphan drug therapies. Medunik USA makes critical medications to treat rare diseases available to American patients who might not otherwise have access to these medications. For more information, visit: www.medunikusa.com.

SOURCE Medunik USA