TAP PROMISES PREVACID® PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH LAUNCH OF LANDMARK MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE PROGRAM Lake Forest, Ill., October 22, 2001 - TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. today launched an unprecedented new patient satisfaction program called the PREVACID® PROMISE that features a financial guarantee — patients using PREVACID® (lansoprazole) who are not fully satisfied with treatment results at the end of the treatment period can get their money back. The company is launching this unique program to stand by its commitment to patients and its confidence in PREVACID's ability to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In 2000, PREVACID was the third best-selling prescription medication in the U.S. Currently, it is the most-prescribed proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) for new prescriptions and is the first among top-selling prescription medications to offer a guarantee program of this magnitude. GERD is a chronic disorder that can result in serious complications such as esophageal strictures and Barrett's esophagus. Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of GERD and approximately 25 million Americans suffer from heartburn daily. Yet a vast majority of GERD sufferers do not consult a physician about their problem. However, prescription medications are available, such as PREVACID, which is up to 95 percent effective in the healing of erosive GERD, although individual results may vary. Additionally, PREVACID is the only PPI indicated for the healing and risk reduction of gastric (stomach) ulcers associated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). "We are so confident in the ability of our product to deliver safe and highly effective treatment for GERD, we wanted to back it up," said Art Rice, vice president of marketing at TAP. "The PREVACID PROMISE is a commitment TAP is making to all PREVACID patients to guarantee satisfaction with our product." Patients interested in enrolling in the PREVACID PROMISE should consult with their health care professional. About PREVACID® (lansoprazole) PREVACID is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that decreases the production of stomach acid by blocking the tiny pumps responsible for acid secretion. PREVACID has the most administration options and the most approved indications of all the PPIs, including: the treatment of heartburn and other symptoms of GERD; the treatment and maintenance of erosive esophagitis, a condition in which stomach acid injures the lining of the esophagus; treatment of active benign gastric (stomach) ulcers; the treatment and maintenance of healed ulcers found on the first part of the small intestine (known as duodenal ulcers); treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (which involve the overproduction of stomach acid), including Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome; the healing and risk reduction of gastric ulcers associated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs); and the eradication of H. pylori bacteria in combination with antibiotics to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence. The most frequently reported adverse events include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions. PREVACID should not be used in patients with any known allergy to any component of the formulation. For further information on PREVACID, please see the complete prescribing information and visit www.prevacid.com. About TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., located in Lake Forest, Ill., is a joint venture between Abbott Laboratories, headquartered in Abbott Park, Ill., and Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd., of Osaka, Japan. TAP also markets Lupron Depot® (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension) and plans to launch the new cephalosporin antibiotic SPECTRACEF (cefditoren pivoxil) later this year. For more information about TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., and its products, visit the company's web site at www.tap.com. |
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