Shire Strives to Increase Adherence Among Chronic Kidney Disease Stage ...(p Phosphate binders are a major source...),Health

Phosphate binders are a major source of pill burden for CKD Stage 5 patients. With treatments, such as FOSRENOL, patients with hyperphosphatemia may be able to reduce their pill burden to as few as one tablet with each meal.* In fact, FOSRENOL has the lowest pill burden of all phosphate binders, which may aid in adherence and reduce treatment costs.

"Shire is committed to offering its effective, noncalcium, nonresin phosphate binder, FOSRENOL, to CKD Stage 5 patients who need assistance with the complications of elevated serum phosphorus," said Joseph Schlitz, vice president, US Renal Business, Shire Pharmaceuticals. "Knowing the evolving needs of the CKD community, we are continuing to improve the product through new formulations and more user-friendly packaging. We hope the combination of these efforts and the On Track program will provide patients with the resources they require to help them adhere to their hyperphosphatemia management regimens."

For More Information, Contact:

Brenna Terry

Porter Novelli

Phone: 212-601-8236

Cell: 814-574-8966

E-mail: brenna.terry@porternovelli.com

Sarah Stearns

Porter Novelli

Phone: 212-601-8413

Cell: 617-447-8878

E-mail: sarah.stearns@porternovelli.com

Managing Hyperphosphatemia

Phosphorus, an element found in nearly all foods, is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, they no longer effectively remove phosphorus. While the normal adult range for phosphorus is 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL, the blood phosphorus levels of many patients on dialysis often exceed 6.5 mg/dL. Such levels have been linked to a significantly higher morbidity and mortality risk for patients who have undergone at least one year of dialysis. Research has shown that for each mg/dL increase in mean serum phosphor
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