Expansion of the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program Demonstrates Significant Results Due to the Contribution of 500 Million IUs Donation of Bioverativ and Sobi
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
MONTREAL, April 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The paradigm shift that has
occurred through the expansion of the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program has resulted
in significant improvements in the lives of those living with bleeding disorders
in developing countries throughout the world. This is as a direct result of the
significant level of donations committed by Bioverativ and Sobi, 500 million
international units (IU) of clotting factor concentrates (CFC) treatment
products, over 5 years, along with their substantial financial support for the
operational needs of this program.
The WFH Humanitarian Aid Program was established in 1996, with more than 462
million IUs of treatment products channelled since it began, to more than
100,000 people in need, in 90 countries. Prior to the expansion of this program,
donations were sporadic and existing commitments allowed for only emergency
relief in dire situations.
In 2014, 21 million IUs of treatment products were channelled through the WFH
Humanitarian Aid Program. In 2016, the donations rose to 122 million IUs, with
this level per year to remain consistent until at least 2020. This translates
into a rise from 2,119 patients treated in 2014 to over 12,300 patients reported
just in 2016.The projected number of patients to be treated each year with this
donation from Bioverativ and Sobi is expected to be approximately 21,000.
"The WFH Humanitarian Aid Program has transformed, over the past two years, into
one of the most effective global programs in addressing the significant
treatment gaps that occur for those living without much needed care," said Alain
Weill, WFH President.
The cost of treatment is prohibitively expensive for the majority of those
affected with a bleeding disorder. Due to the limited access to diagnosis and
treatment in many developing countries, people with severe hemophilia in these
areas often do not survive to adulthood.
The direct impact of this sustainable and predictable model demonstrates
significant transformation within the global bleeding disorders community. Life
and limb-saving surgeries have climbed from 21 in 2014, to a total of 795 in
2016. As of the end of March 2017, this number has risen to over 1000. The
immediate impact on quality of life is evident for those living with
debilitating effects of joint damage, or having to put off other necessary
surgeries due to the lack of treatment products.
Moreover, prior to the expansion of this program, people with bleeding disorders
in developing countries had no opportunity to be put on a prophylaxis treatment
regime, the standard of care in most of the developed world. In 2016, 852 people
were placed on prophylaxis, with an additional 129 added onto this regime so far
in 2017.
Last year, the WFH and WFH USA called for action to address the need for
Treatment for All through the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program. This meant not only
the commitment of donated treatment products, but also the financial support to
allow for this program to become operationally successful.
In addition to these donations, the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program provides a wide
range of integrated clinical training programs to ensure the local
infrastructure and medical expertise are available to optimize use of donated
products.
"The WFH Humanitarian Aid Program is an integral part of addressing the major
gaps that exist for the majority of people in the world living with a bleeding
disorder," said Mark Skinner, WFH USA President.
The ongoing support of Bioverativ and Sobi to this program demonstrates strong
leadership in providing certainty to those most in need. We continue to work
with all our global partners to come together to further strengthen the success
of the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program.
About the World Federation of Hemophilia
For over 50 years, the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), an international
not-for-profit organization, has worked to improve the lives of people with
hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. Established in 1963, it is a
global network of patient organizations in 134 countries and has official
recognition from the World Health Organization. Visit WFH online
at www.wfh.org.
WFH USA advances the global mission of the World Federation of Hemophilia in the
United States.
About the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program
For many developing countries, product donations are often the only source of
treatment product for patients with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. The
WFH receives requests, many urgent in nature, from WFH national member
organizations (NMOs) and from recognized hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs)
around the world. An increasing number of collaborators within the global
bleeding disorders community have accepted the challenge of providing a
sustainable and predictable supply of donated products. Through the donation by
Bioverativ and Sobi to the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program of up to 500 million IUs
within five years, the Grifols eight-year commitment totaling 200 million
IUs, the three-year agreement with CSL Behring for a total of 10 million IUs,
and the agreement with Green Cross for 6 million IUs, there will now be a more
predictable and sustainable flow of humanitarian aid donations to the global
community. In addition, the initiatives of Project WISH and Project Recovery
allow for the manufacturing of clotting factor concentrates from previously
discarded cryopaste which provide treatment products to countries most in need.
Media Contact:
Sarah Ford
+1-514-266-7764
sford(at)wfh.org
This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) via GlobeNewswire
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 17.04.2017 - 13:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 536529
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contact information:
Town:
Montréal
Kategorie:
Business News
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"Expansion of the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program Demonstrates Significant Results Due to the Contribution of 500 Million IUs Donation of Bioverativ and Sobi"
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