Ferring Appreciates Ongoing Support from New Jersey and Minnesota as Both States Issue Proclamations Recognizing November as C. Difficile Infection Awareness Month
Parsippany, NJ, USA – November 28, 2022 – Ferring Pharmaceuticals appreciates the continued support from New Jersey and Minnesota as both states recognize November as Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Infection Awareness Month. This is the third year in a row that the offices of Governor Phil Murphy (New Jersey) and Governor Tim Walz (Minnesota) issued the proclamations that underscore the severity of C. diff infection and the importance of addressing the impact it has on patients, their families and the healthcare system.
The CDC has declared C. diff infection a public health threat, requiring urgent and immediate action. C. diff infection causes an estimated half a million illnesses and tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. alone each year.1,2,3 There is a vicious cycle of recurrence associated with C. diff infection, causing a significant burden for patients and the healthcare system.4,5 It has been estimated that up to 35% of CDI cases recur after initial diagnosis and people who have had a recurrence are at significantly higher risk of further infections.6,7,8,9
“We are grateful for the support of the governors of New Jersey and Minnesota as they recognize C. diff Infection Awareness Month and raise awareness about the burden C. diff infection represents for patients, caregivers and the healthcare system,” said Lionel Fajolle, Vice President, Specialty Care Unit, Ferring Pharmaceuticals.
For more information about C. diff infection and to access resources for patients and caregivers, please visit our website.
About C. difficile infection
C. difficile infection (CDI) is a serious and potentially deadly disease that impacts people across the globe. The C. difficile bacterium causes debilitating symptoms such as severe diarrhea, fever, stomach tenderness or pain, loss of appetite, nausea and colitis (an inflammation of the colon).1 Declared a public health threat by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requiring urgent and immediate action, CDI causes an estimated half a million illnesses and tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. alone each year.1,2,3
C. difficile infection often is the start of a vicious cycle of recurrence, causing a significant burden for patients and the healthcare system.4,5 It has been estimated that up to 35% of CDI cases recur after initial diagnosis and people who have had a recurrence are at significantly higher risk of further infections.6,7,8,9 After the first recurrence, it has been estimated that up to 65% of patients may develop a subsequent recurrence.8,9
About Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to helping people around the world build families and live better lives. In the United States, Ferring is a leader in reproductive medicine and maternal health, and in specialty areas within gastroenterology and orthopaedics. For more information, call 1-888-FERRING + (1-888-337-7464); visit http://www.ferringusa.com/.
Ferring is committed to exploring the crucial link between the microbiome and human health, beginning with the threat of recurrent C. difficile infection. Ferring is working to develop novel microbiome-based therapeutics to address significant unmet needs and help people live better lives. Connect with us on our dedicated microbiome therapeutics development channels on Twitter and LinkedIn.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What Is C. Diff? 17 Dec. 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/cdiff/what-is.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Biggest Threats and Data, 14 Nov. 2019. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest-threats.html
- Fitzpatrick F, Barbut F. Breaking the cycle of recurrent Clostridium difficile. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18(suppl 6):2-4.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 24 June 2020. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/threats-report/clostridioides-difficile-508.pdf
- Feuerstadt P, et al. J Med Econ. 2020;23(6):603-609.
- Riddle DJ, Dubberke ER. Clostridium difficile infection in the intensive care unit. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2009;23(3):727-743.
- Nelson WW, et al. Health care resource utilization and costs of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection in the elderly: a real-world claims analysis. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2021;27(7):828-838. doi: 10.18553/jmcp.2021.20395. Epub 2021 Mar 11.
- Kelly, CP. Can we identify patients at high risk of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection? Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012;18(suppl 6):21–27.
- Smits WK, et al. Clostridium difficile infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16020. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2016.20.
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For more information, please contact
Lisa Ellen
Director, Brand Communications
+1-862-286-5696 (direct)
US-MBIO-2200241