(NYSE: AZN) today introduced a creative education program to support patients taking BRILINTA(ticagrelor). Patients who enroll in the program receive support services across multiple channels to help them stay on their full course of BRILINTA therapy. One important support resource now available is which provides time-saving prescription access and affordability information to patients and healthcare providers.
Complete the Course was created specifically to address patient preference for how they receive information about their medication as they transition from hospital to home. A recent nationwide patient survey showed that patients with ACS value robust, multi-channel communication to learn more about the medication prescribed. The survey was sponsored by AstraZeneca and conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs.
“Cardiologists have a tremendous responsibility to not only provide the best possible care for their patients, but also to ensure that their patients receive complete information about their diagnosis and the importance of adherence to treatment,” stated James Ferguson, MD, Executive Director, Medical Affairs and Strategic Development, and Vice President for Global Medical Affairs. “With the combination of the BRILINTA program along with , we are now able to provide a variety of resources to patients with ACS and healthcare providers to help ensure continuity and optimal delivery of care throughout the course of treatment.”
A nationwide patient survey was conducted in 201 patients with ACS. The patients with ACS were adults aged 60 years and older who have suffered a heart attack or have been diagnosed with ACS (including heart attack and chest pain), and have been prescribed some form of medication for treatment of their heart attack.
Key findings from the survey to support more multi-channel methods of communication indicate that:
*Based on a survey conducted both online and via telephone among a nationwide cross-section of 201 U.S. adults aged 60 years and older conducted from February 29 – March 9, 2012. The survey respondents were 57.2% male. The percent of responders across age groups was: 51% 60–69 years, 32% 70–79 years, and 17% 80+ years. The overall margin of error was ± 6.9% points at a 95% confidence interval.
“With over one million people diagnosed with ACS each year, there is an ever increasing need for additional tools and resources that can help patients and their caregivers learn about and understand ACS. These materials may help patients maintain their medication regimen,” said Dr. Ferguson.
In addition to the right types of communication, the timing is equally important. Certain moments in time after a cardiovascular event help define a patient’s continuum of informational needs. These include hospital discharge, when patients are first about BRILINTA, a couple months later when is necessary and further down the road when may be important. While any patient can choose to receive any offering any time, will call their attention to those that will be most applicable based on their course of therapy.
Patients enrolled in will receive information about heart attacks, preventing a second heart attack, tips on preparing for doctor’s visits, and reminders about doctor appointments, daily dosing and refills. The material also outlines the benefits and side effects of therapy with BRILINTA and why it is important to continue taking medication, as prescribed. The program includes a patient pull-out tool that illustrates how BRILINTA helps stop platelets from sticking together and forming a clot in an artery.
provides time-saving prescription access and affordability support. It will be available online and by telephone. The program will help ensure patients have access to their therapy with BRILINTA as prescribed, including benefit verification, copay and coverage information, and information on prior authorization. This service will be available for patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses, discharge planners, pharmacists and other health care providers. is available by calling 1-888-512-7454 (888-51-BRILINTA) or visit BRILINTA.com.
BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS: unstable angina [UA], non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], or ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]). BRILINTA has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined end point of CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke compared to clopidogrel. The difference between treatments was driven by CV death and MI with no difference in stroke. In patients treated with an artery-opening procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), BRILINTA reduces the rate of stent thrombosis.
BRILINTA has been studied in ACS in combination with aspirin. Maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg decreased the effectiveness of BRILINTA. Avoid maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg daily.
BRILINTA is contraindicated in patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage and active pathological bleeding such as peptic ulcer or intracranial hemorrhage. BRILINTA is also contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment because of a probable increase in exposure; it has not been studied in these patients. Severe hepatic impairment increases the risk of bleeding because of reduced synthesis of coagulation proteins
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For patients that require BRILINTA beyond their hospital stay, a savings card program is available based on eligibility. Commercially insured and cash-paying patients may be eligible for one free 30-day prescription and can save up to $825 per year on their next 11 refills. For each refill (a 30-day supply of up to 60 tablets), savings may apply after the first $18 spent by a patient, up to a $75 savings limit. Patients covered through Medicare, Medicaid or a resident of Massachusetts may be eligible for one month free prescription. Patients can find out more at or by calling 1-888-412-7454.
AstraZeneca also offers a U.S. patient assistance program for BRILINTA through its AZ&Me Prescription Savings Program. To determine eligibility, patients can visit or call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363).
BRILINTA is an oral antiplatelet treatment for ACS. BRILINTA is a direct-acting P2Y receptor antagonist in a chemical class called cyclopentyltriazolopyrimidines (CPTPs). BRILINTA works by inhibiting platelet activation and has been shown to reduce the rate of thrombotic CV events, such as a heart attack or CV death, in patients with ACS.
BRILINTA is available in 90-mg tablets to be administered with a single 180-mg oral loading dose (two 90-mg tablets) followed by a twice daily, 90-mg maintenance dose. Following an initial loading dose of aspirin, BRILINTA should be used with a maintenance dose of 75 mg - 100 mg aspirin once daily, 81-mg aspirin dose in the US.
BRILINTA is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
ACS is an umbrella term for conditions that result from insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle. These conditions range from unstable angina (UA), non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), or ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
For more information about AstraZeneca in the U.S. or our AZ&Me™ Prescription Savings programs, please visit: or call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363).
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