Wyeth launches rheumatic awareness program

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Wyeth launches rheumatic awareness program

Manama: Fri, 25 Jan 2008

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/HEAL_137752.html

Wyeth pharmaceuticals has announced the launch of the RA3AIA initiative, the

first regional rheumatic disease awareness program.

The RA3AIA program is aimed at becoming the local educational and support

hub for all patients suffering from any rheumatic disease, said a top

official at the 8th Pan Arab Rheumatology Society Conference in Qatar.

" The reason why the RA3AIA program is crucial, especially in this region, is

because it will help show how essential early diagnosis, accurate treatment

methodology, and monitoring the progression of the disease is in achieving

remission - the goal of the treatment, " said Dr. Mohammed Hammoudeh,

consultant rheumatologist, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar and chairman of

the congress.

The overall objective of the program is to raise awareness of rheumatic

diseases through a multitude of strategies.

Some of these strategies include educating patients and doctors on the

disease progression, empowering patients to become more interactive with

their doctor in terms of asking the right questions and getting more

involved in the treatment plan.

" Although we just launched the RA3AIA program today, we have already started

implementing phase 1 of the initiative which is called the 'RA - What You

See and What You Don't' project, " said Dr Amgad Gamil, medical manager,

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Middle East & North Africa.

The program targets four of the most prevalent rheumatic diseases,

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Juvenile Idiopathic

Arthritis (JIA) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). "

Dr Ahmed Saeed, marketing manager, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Middle East & North

Africa, said the program was interactive software in the form of CDs, with

interactive visuals and clips explained in both the Arabic and English

language.

" It was created to educate rheumatic patients on the nature, symptoms,

progression and treatment of the disease in a user-friendly manner.

It also includes the latest information on the availability of new

therapies, and tips on the management of the burden of the disease on

everyday life. "

Rheumatoid Arthritis, among the most common arthritic conditions, is a

chronic disease that affects one percent of the world's population, and

three times as many women as men.

It is an inflammatory disease, in which the body's immune system attacks the

joints, such as those in the hands, knees, elbows, and ankles and the

surrounding soft tissues, with potentially crippling consequences.-