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The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Actelionbetween August 7 and August 21, 2007. It included more than 600 patientscurrently enrolled in Sure Steps, 256 of whom who had been on Tracleer forless than one year, and 354 patients who had been on Tracleer for more than ayear. All patients were 18 year of age or older, diagnosed with PAH,currently taking Tracleer, and had been enrolled in the Sure Steps program forat least two months.
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"When patients are first diagnosed with PAH and begin treatment, they areoften overwhelmed by their diagnosis and have many questions about treatment,"said Craig Hopkinson, MD, Vice President of U.S. Medical Affairs at Actelion."Sure Steps is a unique program that provides meaningful assistance to thesepatients and resources to learn more about their condition beginningimmediately after they start their treatment."
About PAH Pathways and Sure Steps
PAH Pathways(TM) is Actelion's service and support program for physiciansand their patients currently on either of Actelion's PAH medications,including Tracleer and Ventavis. The program is designed to provide access totherapy, ensuring patients receive therapy as quickly as possible, andcomprehensive financial and reimbursement support to eligible patients. Inaddition, PAH Pathways recently introduced a program that offers eligiblepatients starting on Tracleer with their first month of therapy at no cost tothe patient.
Sure Steps, an important part of the PAH Pathways offering, is a supportand education program for patients with PAH who are taking one of Actelion'sPAH medications. The program provides ongoing information and personalassistance to help these patients manage their condition. Patients enrolledin Sure Steps receive direct access to a nurse counselor who can help answerquestions regarding PAH or Tracleer, ongoing informational newsletters, andimportant tools to help them cope with PAH. Over 3,500 patients have enrolledin Sure Steps to date. Eligible patients can enroll by calling1-866-682-7873. Sure Steps is also available to patients who are takingVentavis for the treatment PAH.
About Tracleer(R) in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Tracleer(R) (bosentan), the first oral dual endothelin receptorantagonist, is approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) World Health Organization (WHO) Functional Class III or IV and madeavailable by Actelion Ltd. subsidiaries in the United States, the EuropeanUnion, Japan, Australia, Canada, Switzerland and other markets worldwide.
Tracleer requires attention to two significant safety concerns: potentialfor serious liver injury (including rare cases of liver failure andunexplained hepatic cirrhosis in a setting of close monitoring) and highpotential for major birth defects. Liver monitoring of all patients isessential prior to initiation of treatment and monthly thereafter. Pregnancymust be excluded and prevented by two forms of birth control; monthlypregnancy tests should be obtained. Because of these risks, Tracleer is onlysupplied through a controlled distribution system, the Tracleer Access Program(T.A.P.(R))
About Ventavis(R)
Ventavis(R) (iloprost) is an inhaled formulation of iloprost, a syntheticco
