Amgen 2006 Annual Report Download - page 25

Amgen 2006 Annual Report 23
Important patient programs
extend our ongoing commitment
to anemia management.
When Amgen introduced EPOGEN® (Epoetin alfa), dialysis
patients with severe anemia no longer had to undergo frequent
blood transfusions or endure persistent fatigue. EPOGEN®
was followed by Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa), which has helped
improve anemia management in kidney disease patients, as
well as cancer patients with anemia caused by chemotherapy.
Both medicines have revolutionized the treatment of anemia.
With Amgen’s leadership in anemia management comes a
responsibility to advocate for the best possible care for patients,
to improve their health and well-being. People afflicted with
anemia are often battling multiple diseases or complications.
Managing their anemia is a delicate and complex balance,
requiring intensive monitoring and involvement by doctors.
“The patients in whom we see anemia as a complication of
other illnesses are often some of the sickest patients,” says
Robert Brenner, M.D., executive director of Medical Affairs.
“That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to supporting
care for patients with kidney disease and anemia, working with
health care providers and patient organizations.”
Advancing kidney disease awareness in the community
Amgen has long supported community-based activities designed
to increase understanding of and improve care for kidney disease.
Amgen provides grants to the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice
Patterns Study (DOPPS), an ongoing observational study of
hemodialysis patients in 12 countries. DOPPS seeks to identify
dialysis practices that contribute to improved outcomes. In
addition, Amgen supports a National Institutes of Health study
that is examining the relationship of renal function to stroke.
In 2006, Amgen committed to be principal sponsor of the
Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), a free kidney health
screening program offered in communities nationwide by the
National Kidney Foundation (NKF). KEEP screenings are
designed to raise awareness about kidney disease and provide
free testing and educational information.
Many low-income patients cannot afford the tests that diagnose
early symptoms, and they resist seeking care until an emergency
strikes. At KEEP events, participants receive a comprehensive
screening that measures blood glucose and hemoglobin levels
and estimates kidney function. The results provide patients with
information that may encourage them to seek medical attention
early enough to prevent or offset health crises.
“An alarming number of people have advanced chronic kidney
disease and aren’t aware of it,” says Marta Taylor, a nephrology
nurse who works with the NKF and conducts KEEP screenings.
“In fact, at many of the screenings, more than half of the
participants have test results that may indicate kidney disease.
This demonstrates the crucial need to ensure that people at risk
have access to KEEP.”
Seeking ways to help more patients
“Amgen is committed to building on our pioneering work to
advance anemia treatment for patients with chronic kidney
disease,” says Helen Torley, head of the company’s Nephrology
business. “Leadership is something you have to prove and earn
continually. We will do that with the breadth of our support for the
nephrology treatment community and our ongoing dedication to
supporting the best possible outcomes for patients.”