Novartis osteoporosis treatment surpasses 1-millionth infusion

MANILA, Philippines - More than one million patients around the world have received the breakthrough Novartis anti-osteoporosis treatment intravenous zoledronic acid.

Intravenous zoledronic acid is the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis that works in just one 15-minute intravenous dose a year.

In 2008, intravenous zoledronic acid received FDA approval for three new indications: prevention of clinical fractures after a hip fracture in men and women; osteoporosis in men; and prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

It is the only the brand of drug in its class (bisphosphonate) that has received approval for the prevention of clinical fractures after a hip fracture.

Osteoporosis is a bone-weakening disease that is a major cause of disability and loss of independence among older women.

Osteoporosis affects more than 200 million people worldwide, and one out of three women over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture as a result.

The impact of fractures on both the patient and their caregivers can be significant. Patients who experience serious fractures such as the hip are often forced to stay home and receive care from relatives and/or caregivers. This can be a great burden not only on the patient but also on their careers: In fact, studies have found that caregivers can suffer from anxiety, lack of sleep and fatigue over the issue.

Unfortunately, non-compliance to treatment regimens in osteoporosis patients is high. This can impact on treatment efficacy against the risk of fractures. Importantly, patients who only comply with 50 percent of their treatment receive no benefit from their treatment at all.

To celebrate the one-millionth infusion milestone of intravenous zoledronic acid and raise awareness on osteoporosis, Novartis, through its “One in a Million” program, is encouraging all its employees to talk to their mothers about the silent disease and how to maintain osteoprotection.

“This celebration is the opportune time to raise awareness about the ‘silent epidemic’ of osteoporosis by fostering discussions between daughters and their mothers about this serious disease. As we learned from the 2009 Timeless Moments survey, for many daughters, the loss of their mother’s independence is one of their greatest fears — yet most of them fail to discuss osteoporosis,” said Eric van Oppens, president and CEO of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

The Timeless Moments survey was conducted in August 2009 by an independent market research company and supported by the International Osteoporosis Foundation, Medical Women’s International Association, with a grant from Novartis.

Over 400 daughters aged 25 to 45 were surveyed in Canada, France, Germany and Switzerland, and more than 1,000 daughters in China.

“Fortunately, the survey also showed that 90 percent of women regularly discuss health-related topics with their mothers. Novartis wants to help ensure that osteoporosis becomes more prominent as a topic within these conversations,” Van Oppens said.