Partnership for Prescription Assistance Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary and Launch of 'PPA 2.0'

In an effort to help even more Americans who are uninsured and struggling financially, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) recently launched new online resources designed to expand the program's outreach. "PPA 2.0," an evolution of the nationwide effort sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, was unveiled here during a celebration of the PPA's five-year anniversary.

"PPA 2.0" introduces new online resources that expand community partnerships and enhance PPA's mobile and Internet presence to make it even easier to obtain information about PPA programs. In an effort to reach more people in more places, PPA is launching a new text hotline and smart phone application, in addition to the existing toll-free hotline and Web site, to ensure around-the-clock access to information about the more than 475 programs offered through the PPA. Nearly 200 of the programs are provided by pharmaceutical companies.

PhRMA Helps Launch ‘Healthy Generation’ Initiative

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), along with a diverse group of stakeholders, have partnered with the Washington Health Foundation (WHF) to unveil a new initiative that will help educate college students in Washington state about the proper use of medicines and provide resources to help prevent the abuse and misuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter products.

Recent reports suggest that prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines are being misused at alarming rates. Friends, family members and even celebrities have undoubtedly been touched by this disturbing trend in one way or another. For this reason, Healthy Generation will be utilizing social networks and community advocacy resources, as well as providing training activities on college campuses, so that students have the tools they need to engage in healthy behaviors while also getting the support they need to help themselves or their friends.

WHF Prescription Drug Abuse 4x3 from Healthiest State on Vimeo.

'Sharing Miracles' to Feature Boston Red Sox Manager Terry Francona

Two-time World Series champion Terry Francona will be featured on April's episode of Sharing Miracles.

Francona – widely credited with breaking "the curse of the Bambino" in his first year in Boston – has led the Red Sox to World Series victory twice since being named manager in 2004, making him the first manager to ever win his first eight games in the Series. He now boasts the second-most wins of any manager in franchise history.

In this month's Sharing Miracles, he talks about life with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and chronic knee problems. "I've had my share of health issues and I know that I'm fortunate to be here," he acknowledges. "I was a little bit dumb and a little bit more than stubborn to have gotten on that plane and waited to go to the hospital, but fortunately I was young enough and strong enough to fight that initial embolism."

Major Diseases Being Addressed With Over 230 Medicines in Development for Children

America’s pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are developing 234 medicines for the special health care needs of children, according to a new report released today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)

“Our researchers, who lead the world in pharmaceutical innovation, are working on new treatments to fight a wide range of major diseases and medical disorders that afflict children all over America,” said PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin. “Our companies’ targets include childhood cancer, the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 5 and 24, and an array of genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis, a debilitating and fatal condition that affects 30,000 children and adults in the United States.”

The new Medicines in Development for Children report was unveiled today at Trinity Moline by PhRMA Senior Vice President Ken Johnson. He stressed that biopharmaceutical research companies are key contributors to today’s steady progress against childhood diseases.

Today, because of major treatment advances, 80 percent of children diagnosed with cancer will survive five years or longer, compared to a five-year survival rate of less than 50 percent 30 years ago. Progress has also been made against childhood pneumonia.

According to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine, pneumonia deaths among children dropped 97 percent between 1939 and 1996, thanks in part to antibiotics that prevent deaths from not only pneumonia, but also scarlet fever and other diseases that used to claim the lives of children.

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Scientists Honored With Discoverers Award for Development of Innovative HIV Medicine

Three scientists who led the 11-year quest to develop a groundbreaking HIV drug received the 2010 Discoverers Award -- the highest honor given to scientists by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). The honorees are Tony Wood, Ph.D., Elna van der Ryst, M.D., Ph.D. and Manos Perros, Ph.D.

PhRMA's Discoverers Award recognizes scientists whose work has greatly benefited mankind.

"These extraordinary honorees not only have saved untold numbers of lives, but have also improved the quality of lives for many HIV patients," said Billy Tauzin. "All three devoted a significant portion of their lives to developing this medicine. We are proud to pay tribute to their skills and to their perseverance as they overcame huge obstacles."

See Virus Weekly for more information on the award and honorees

'Sharing Miracles' Television Program to Feature Professional Basketball Legend Alonzo Mourning

According to the Washington Business Journal, Basketball great Alonzo Mourning will be featured on February's episode of Sharing Miracles. Mourning was one of the top professional basketball players of his era, a seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, when he was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a rare and life-threatening genetic kidney disease.

In this month's episode, he discusses his surprise upon receiving his diagnosis: "I was shocked when they told me. I was looked at as the picture of health. As a professional athlete, I was always praised because I kept myself in great condition. I had always relied on my strength because I was an under-sized center. I never imagined I would get sick."

New hope for treating mental illness

The Cherokee Chronicle Times reports on a newly released report that shows a record 301 medicines are currently being developed in the U.S. to help ease the devastating impact that mental illnesses have on patients, their families and society.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) says the new medicines being developed hold the promise of providing patients and doctors with more and better treatment options.

In addition to developing new medicines, American pharmaceutical research companies say they've made strides in helping uninsured and underinsured patients gain access to the medicines they need through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)

America's Pharmaceutical Research Companies Donate $20 Million to Relief Efforts in Haiti; More Help Coming

As the need for health care assistance mounts in Haiti after last week's catastrophic earthquake, America's pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies continue to provide help. So far, more than $20 million in medicines, medical supplies and cash have been committed to relief efforts -- and that amount is still growing. The total does not include the contributions of PhRMA member company employees and the many companies committed to matching the pledges of their workers.

PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin said: "The day the news broke about the tragedy in Haiti, America's biopharmaceutical companies got to work -- coordinating efforts with relief organizations and health care groups already on the ground -- making sure everything from simple antibiotic creams to critical medicines were made accessible to victims. And the more the need for medicinal aid is defined, the more our companies are providing it."

PhRMA is also involved in the Haitian effort through the Rx Response program. This program, which was developed following Hurricane Katrina, has shed light on the most effective methods to donate medical products and the most efficient ways medical professionals can volunteer for the Haiti response effort.

"The vital role of PhRMA companies and their employees in the global community is clearly defined by such catastrophic situations. It's our civic responsibility to provide health care professionals the tools they need to help save lives, and we're proud to take part in this effort, which will lead to the eventual recovery of Haiti," Tauzin said.

'Sharing Miracles' to Feature MLB Star Aaron Boone

Major League Baseball slugger Aaron Boone will be featured on January's episode of Sharing Miracles.

A member of one of only three families in history to have three generations play in the major leagues (grandfather Ray, father Bob and brother Bret all played pro baseball), Boone is best known for an eleventh-inning, game-winning home run in the seventh game of the 2003 American League Championship Series. Clinching the series for the New York Yankees over the Boston Red Sox, Boone is said to have extended the "Curse of the Bambino" by one more year. Discussing Boone's famed home run on this month's episode of Sharing Miracles are Red Sox manager Terry Francona and four-time World Series champion Darryl Strawberry.

However, despite his notoriety for the home run, Boone says the at-bat most meaningful to him is one that almost never happened - his first time at home plate following open-heart surgery.

While in college, Boone was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect that required yearly check-ups, but no treatment. "Throughout my baseball career, I got it checked on every off-season, but it frankly wasn't a huge part of my life," he says.

However, that all changed in March 2009, when his cardiologist advised additional tests and a consultation with a surgeon. The decision was sobering, with Boone being told he needed open-heart surgery to correct his defect.

After successfully undergoing the procedure, however, he focused on his recovery and rehabilitation and eventually realized that he was strong enough to consider a return to the sport: "I could see my body respond each day, each week, each month. Seeing myself improve really helped push me further and helped me do the necessary things to keep getting better."