Roche presents the new way to manage Pegasys ®, more easily and safely through the pre filled pen

-Preloaded pen is easy to operate, and improve safety by avoiding punctures after injection. also has a system that confirms when the dose is completed successfully and is designed to promote treatment adherence

-ease of use reduces the chance of errors because the steps are easy to remember at the same time promotes patient confidence in their own ability to manage the drug

-preloaded pen favors greater adhesion in patients who reject injections, those that require a second person to his administration in the co-infected with HIV and who receive triple therapy..

Madrid, June 2012.- Roche presents the new device of Pegasys ® pen preloaded with the aim of facilitate the Administration to patients who have chronic B and C hepatitis, as well as the co-infected with hepatitis C and HIV with.

This new form of delivery is easy to handle and improve safety for the patient and your environment to have a needle guard to prevent injury by puncture after injection. also includes a system that confirms when the dose is completed successfully and is designed to encourage adherence to treatment not to be visible the needle and not cause pain or discomfort. As ensures Maria Lopez, the digestive system of the Hospital de Sabadell service nurse, ease of use reduces the possibility of errors because the steps to follow are remembered and favors patient confidence in their own ability to manage the drug ”. Also added as the needle is not displayed and retracts, implies a lower risk of accidents ”.

a clinical study to 60 patients with Pegasys ® pen preloaded for three weeks, followed by the pre-filled syringe Pegasys ® during the same period, or vice versa, showed a high level of satisfaction of the patient with this new form of administration. Dr. Ricard Sola, head of the Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Hepatology section explains that many patients are reluctant to manage themselves an injectable although this Administration is subcutaneous or through a needle thin and small. Visible device preloaded, having no pen needle, allows the injection at the time that exerts pressure on the skin facilitating self-administration ”.

Patients gain in safety and therapeutic control

Dr. Pere Prevosti, responsible for the pharmacy service of the unit’s outpatient Hospital are Espases, Palma de Mallorca, explains that any device that facilitates the self-managing probably favours in a better grip, mainly in three cases: those patients who reject injections; those who need help in the Administration; and finally, in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C in which the current triple therapy with Pegasys ®, ribavirin, and the new protease inhibitors complicate no doubt adhesion, so having a more comfortable management option is a plus to deliver the treatment ”.

But in addition to benefit these patients, the new way to manage Pegasys ® pre-loaded pen brings added value to those with co-infection, in other words, HIV and hepatitis C. In his opinion, are patients with a history of infection, possibly related to the use of parenteral drugs for those who view or use a syringe could bring you unpleasant memories or move them psychologically to a controversial moment of his life ”.

For his part, Dr. Sola ensures that the handling of pre-filled pen is simple and is done in three simple steps ”.

Pegasys ® pre-loaded pen is now available in Spain

The new form of management is now available in Spain and now the hepatologist can choose the device that is most appropriate for each patient: Pegasys ® pen preloaded (presentations of 180 µg and 135 µg) or Pegasys ® syringe pre-filled (180 µ and 135 µ presentations).

In this regard, Dr. Pere Prevosti notes that any professional involved in the treatment of hepatitis C can help the patient to better understand aspects of liver disease, to teach him to live with her and to provide you with information on proper administration of medication ”.

On hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus is known as the ‘ silent epidemic ’. The prevalence of this disease data placed it as one of the epidemics of this century, affecting about 800,000 Spanish in Spain. The main causes of death associated with hepatitis C are (in 35% of cases) liver cirrhosis and cancer of the liver (in 32% of cases).

About Roche

With headquarters in Basel (Switzerland), Roche is a leader company in the sector of health, focusing on research in areas such as Oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism, SNC or diagnosis in vitro and control of diabetes. The group advocates the individualized medicine thanks to the exclusive synergy of its Pharma and diagnostic divisions, developing innovative medicines and diagnostic tools. At the international level, Roche employs more than 80,000 workers and only in 2011, has invested more than 8,000 million Swiss francs in r & d, almost 20% of its total volume of sales, which last year reached $ 42,500 million Swiss francs. The company has majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical Japanese and joined the American Genentech as a member of full ownership.

In Spain, Roche Farma has 1,136 employees, distributed between its headquarters, the Leganés production plant, the distribution warehouse of Getafe and the Centre of excellence in computer science. Roche Spain is one of the Key Countries ” for the group in terms of r & d and works with almost 40 molecules in 220 research projects. The company maintains a strong commitment to CSR through programmes of humanitarian assistance, health education, protection of the environment or promotion of the arts. Spain, highlights their collaboration for Madrid excellent recognition and its collaboration with the Theodora Foundation, the Royal Foundation of Toledo or the Enriqueta Villavecchia Foundation, as well as projects such as the solidarity book day or the solidarity March for childrenthat held every year on June 16.

Varunok, Peter et al,. evaluation of pharmacokinetics, the handling by the user and the tolerability of the peginterferon alfa-2a (40kDa) administered by self-injection disposable device ”. 2011 Patient Prefer Adherence. 2011; 5: 587-99