New Ferring Campaign Encourages Colorectal Cancer Screening

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to extend the focus on colorectal cancer screening beyond Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. announces the launch of the Take a Stand Against Colon Cancer campaign that aims to spark conversation about the importance of colonoscopy and motivate people age 50 plus, or younger for those at high risk, to get to the doctor and get screened. Screening has been shown to lower the risk of colorectal cancer-related deaths.

Ferring, the maker of PREPOPIK^™ (sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid) the lowest volume active prep solution for colonoscopy in adults, is pleased to partner for this important initiative with the Colon Cancer Alliance, the leading national patient advocacy organization dedicated to increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates and survivorship.

"We're pleased to be a part of the Take a Stand Against Colon Cancer campaign and hope this initiative helps to provide that little extra push that may be needed to start having an honest conversation about colonoscopy with a doctor; to get over the myths and fears about the procedure and to get on with making a healthy, potentially life-saving decision for yourself and for your loved ones," said Andrew Spiegel, Chief Executive Officer of the Colon Cancer Alliance. "Roughly 60 percent of deaths from colon cancer could be prevented if everyone over the age of 50 underwent routine screening. Our organization cannot stress enough the importance of this routine test."

The Take a Stand Against Colon Cancer campaign will run for a full year from April 2013 to May 2014, and will be introduced first in gastroenterology practices and endoscopy centers, followed by primary care physician offices nationwide. Participating gastroenterology practices and endoscopy centers in the Take a Stand Against Colon Cancer campaign will receive a series of educational materials for use in their practice waiting rooms, including referral cards to encourage patients to get screened. For each patient who completes and returns a referral card, Ferring Pharmaceuticals will donate $5 to the Colon Cancer Alliance to aid in the organization's efforts to raise awareness and improve national screening rates.

Future phases of the campaign will involve engaging primary care providers (PCPs) to join the effort to promote CRC screening among patients through the use of PCP referral post cards, and the introduction of an educational patient brochure, microsite and mobile app for smartphones and tablets.

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

http://www.prepopik.com/prepopik_prescribing_information.pdf

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. The approval marks Ferring Gastroenterology's first entry into the gastroenterology market in the U.S.

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 American College of Gastroenterology (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.

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 trademark of Ferring B.V.

All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. 

© 2013 Ferring B.V. All rights reserved.

PK/313/2013/US

Contact:

Rebecca Westelman
Burson-Marsteller
617-912-5422
[email protected]

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.