VMS BioMarketing Joins the Fight Against ALS by Supporting Patients Through Nurse-Led Education

INDIANAPOLIS, July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- VMS BioMarketing, a leading provider of patient support solutions, has announced the development of a Clinical Nurse Educator team to bring education and support to people living with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

"Every day is a new struggle for someone with ALS, and the disease can be equally terrifying to families and loved ones," said Sam Watson, RPh, VMS BioMarketing vice president of field educator networks. "VMS is thrilled to play a part in the effort to provide educational support for people being treated for this devastating and fatal disease."

VMS will utilize its Clinical Nurse Educators across the U.S. to provide the education needed to help healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers better understand the disease, how medication works, what to expect, how to fit the regimen into a patient's daily life and connect with the support resources patients need.

ALS, sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for controlling voluntary muscles, such as those needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. It is one of the most well-known neuromuscular diseases, affecting approximately two in 100,000 people worldwide. There is currently no cure. The average survival time for people with ALS is three to five years.^[i] Gradual onset, painless, progressive muscle weakness is the most common initial symptom. Other early symptoms vary but can include tripping, dropping things, abnormal fatigue of the arms and/or legs, slurred speech, muscle cramps, and twitches, and/or uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying. When the breathing muscles become affected, ultimately, people with the disease will need permanent ventilator support to assist with breathing.^[ii]

"VMS is also proud to support ALS awareness activities throughout the year to increase public understanding about ALS and the need to find treatments for this disease," said Watson. "The ALS Association provides numerous opportunities for the public to get involved in team challenges such as the annual 'Ice Bucket Challenge,' walks, and advocacy programs." For more information, visit www.ALS.org.

About VMS BioMarketing:
VMS BioMarketing is a leading provider of patient support solutions focused on empowering healthcare providers and patients through education, training, and ongoing health coaching. For more than 20 years, VMS has been dedicated to enabling Nurse Educators to provide the personalized support necessary to help patients successfully start and stay on therapy. VMS clients include the world's leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. To learn more, please visit www.vmsbiomarketing.com.

[i] ALS Association. http://www.alsa.org/about-als/facts-you-should-know.html.
[ii] ALS Association. http://www.alsa.org/about-als/symptoms.html. 

Media Contact:
Abigail Mallon
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SOURCE VMS BioMarketing