Natick, Massachusetts, March 23,
2007 -- Boston Scientific Corporation
(NYSE: BSX) today announced a program designed to improve patient
compliance with physician-prescribed anti-platelet therapy following
implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES). This program is the
first of its kind in the medical device industry and is expected
to launch in the United States later this year. It will be made
available to all patients who receive a DES, regardless of brand,
through their prescribing physician.
"Evidence suggests that for many patients, drug-eluting stents in combination
with appropriate medical therapy provide the best outcomes," said Dean Kereiakes,
M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Director of Research of The Ohio Heart and
Vascular Center. "I am pleased to see Boston Scientific take a leadership role
in addressing compliance and thus helping clinicians to provide the best possible
care to patients."
The program will consist of three core components:
An education module offered to DES patients,
designed to increase awareness of the importance of following
physician-prescribed anti-
platelet plans after DES implantation;
A patient adherence program,
designed to assist patients in complying with their anti-platelet
therapy; and
A patient assistance program designed
to facilitate access to financial support for anti-platelet therapy
for patients who qualify.
The Company said it plans to spend up to $40 million on the program
and will begin training for the initial education component of the
program immediately.
"As the leader in interventional cardiology, Boston Scientific is committed to
patient care and physician partnership," said Paul LaViolette, Chief Operating
Officer of Boston Scientific. "We are pleased to offer this program to all DES
patients, not just TAXUS patients, to encourage participation in the program
for all physicians. We expect these efforts will increase compliance and optimize
clinical outcomes for DES patients."
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical
devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties.
For more information, please visit: http://www.bostonscientific.com/.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Boston Scientific wishes
to caution the reader of this press release that actual results may differ from
those discussed in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected
by, among other things, risks associated with new product development and commercialization,
clinical trials, intellectual property, regulatory approvals, competitive offerings,
Boston Scientific's overall business strategy, and other factors described in
Boston Scientific's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT:
Paul Donovan
508-650-8541 (Office)
508-667-5165 (Mobile)
Media Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation
Dan Brennan
508-650-8538 (Office)
617-459-2703 (Mobile)
Investor Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation
Source: Boston Scientific Corporation
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