SLEEP LEADERS SUPPORT EFFORTS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF UNTREATED SLEEP APNEA IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY

Philips Respironics and ResMed Inc. are joined by Cephalon Inc. to fund second year of Continuing Medical Education program

Murrysville, Pa., San Diego, Ca., and Frazer, Pa. USA – Philips Respironics, a unit of Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), ResMed Inc. (NYSE: RMD and ASX: RMD.AX), and biopharmaceutical company, Cephalon Inc. (NASDAQ: CEPH), are supporting efforts  to bring untreated sleep apnea to the forefront of discussion among primary care physicians (PCP). As the program enters its second year, Cephalon joins the device makers in responding to educational grant requests to fund a series of independent continuing medical education (CME) activities on this important topic.

“We are committed to lending our support to the sleep community to further awareness and physician understanding of the medical consequences of untreated sleep apnea,” explains Eoghan O’Lionaird, General Manager-Sleep for Philips Respironics. “CME programs are a critical component in bridging the gap for this growing public health issue.”

The education providers’ goal of educating 7,200 clinicians was surpassed in the first year with more than 7,800 participants. Prior to participating in the program, 40 percent of surveyed clinicians felt confident in recognizing the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. After participating in the CME program, 85 percent felt confident in their ability to assess and recognize sleep apnea signs and symptoms. 

For the new program year, the educational activities have expanded to 24 U.S. cities. The first series of OSA CME activities will be conducted at Primary Care Education’s Best Practices in Primary Care™, accredited by Primary Care Network. OSA education will also be conducted at Pri-Med’s Conference & Exhibitions with those programs accredited by pmiCME. The programs run from October 2010 through June 2011. This year’s goal is to educate 10,200 clinicians.

The activities have been designed with the objective of improving understanding in identifying, treating and managing patients with OSA. They are available to primary care, family practice and internal medicine physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.  

Approximately one in five U.S. adults suffer from mild obstructive sleep apnea, and roughly 85 percent are believed to be undiagnosed¹. There is growing scientific evidence of the relationship between sleep apnea and co-morbidities such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Key findings released this year from the Sleep Heart Health Study shed light on the long-term effects of untreated sleep apnea on strokes and cardiovascular disease. This study followed 5,000 people over eight years and showed nearly a three-fold increase in stroke risk in men with moderate to severe sleep apnea.

“With the growing epidemics of obesity and diabetes, sleep apnea has become so common in primary care practice. Yet so little is taught in medical school on the topic,” explains Ann Tisthammer, Vice President, Clinical Education for ResMed Americas. “Educating physicians through CME programs will increase their confidence and attention to this common and dangerous condition.”

“Cephalon has a longstanding commitment to continuing medical education,” said Robert Kaper, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Cephalon. “This initiative amplifies our overall efforts to support health care professionals in their efforts to improve their skills and confidence in managing sleep disorders.”

1.     Young T, Peppard E, and Gottlieb D. Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea: a population health perspective. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2002; 165:1217-1239

Press information

Sleep Apnea Educational Outreach

Philips Respironics and ResMed are furthering their commitment to sleep apnea education and awareness in the medical community and are pleased to have Cephalon, a global biopharmaceutical company, join their latest effort. The global leaders again are joining forces to support the sleep community’s efforts to increase physicians’ understanding about the consequences of untreated sleep apnea and offer practical solutions to providing treatment to their patient base through continuing medical education. Together, the companies are committing more than $1 million in educational grants to fund the program in its second year.

Education providers:   Primary Care Education’s Best Practices in Primary Care™, accredited by Primary Care Network

                                    Pri-Med’s Conference & Exhibitions, accredited by pmiCME

Description:                 The educational activities are designed to help primary care, family practice and internal medicine doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants better understand how to identify and treat patients with OSA. Participants learn

                                    about symptoms of sleep apnea, screening implementation, diagnostic pathways, therapy and the latest research on mortality and morbidity with untreated sleep apnea.

Credits:                        1.25 CME credits

Location:                     24 U.S. Cities

Duration:                     October 2010 through Spring 2011

Participation goal:       10,200 clinicians (based on projections by education providers).

                                    Response to the program in the first year was very positive and surpassed its goal with more than 7,800 participants.

Programs:                   Primary Care Education’s Best Practices in Primary Care™

For information, visit www.PrimaryCareEd.com online or call: 1-877-594-1770.

                                    Pri-Med’s Conference & Exhibitions

                        For information, visit www.pri-med.com online or call: 1-877-263-5127.

For further information, please contact:

David Pendarvis

Sr. Vice President

ResMed

Tel: 858-836-5983

E-mail: David.Pendarvis@resmed.com

Maryellen Bizzack

Director, Marketing & Communications

Philips Home Healthcare Solutions

Tel: 724-387-5006

E-mail: Maryellen.Bizzack@philips.com

Candace Steele Flippin

Senior Director, Product Communications

Cephalon, Inc.

Tel: 610-727-6231

E-mail: csteele@cephalon.com

About Cephalon, Inc.

Cephalon is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and bringing to market medications to improve the quality of life of individuals around the world. Since its inception in 1987, Cephalon has brought first-in-class and best-in-class medicines to patients in several therapeutic areas. Cephalon has the distinction of being one of the world's fastest-growing biopharmaceutical companies, now among the Fortune 1000 and a member of the S&P 500 Index, employing approximately 4,000 people worldwide. The company sells numerous branded and generic products around the world. In total, Cephalon sells more than 150 products in nearly 100 countries. More information on Cephalon and its products is available at http://www.cephalon.com

About ResMed

ResMed is a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of medical equipment for treating, diagnosing, and managing sleep-disordered breathing and other respiratory disorders. We are dedicated to developing innovative products to improve the lives of those who suffer from these conditions and to increasing awareness among patients and healthcare professionals of the potentially serious health consequences of untreated sleep-disordered breathing. For more information on ResMed, visit www.resmed.com.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs more than 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 23 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.