Ferring Appreciates the Support of New Jersey and Minnesota as They Issue Proclamations Recognizing November as C. Difficile Infection Awareness Month for Fifth Consecutive Year

Ferring Appreciates the Support of New Jersey and Minnesota as They Issue Proclamations Recognizing November as C. Difficile Infection Awareness Month for Fifth Consecutive Year
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PRESS RELEASE 2024

Ferring Appreciates the Support of New Jersey and Minnesota as They Issue Proclamations Recognizing November as C. Difficile Infection Awareness Month for Fifth Consecutive Year

Parsippany, NJ – November 13, 2024 – Ferring Pharmaceuticals is grateful  to New Jersey and Minnesota for recognizing November as Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Infection Awareness Month. This is the fifth year in a row that the offices of Governor Phil Murphy (New Jersey) and Governor Tim Walz (Minnesota) issued proclamations to help educate the public about the severity of C. diff infection and its impact on our communities.

To further support C. diff infection education  and awareness, the sign on the historic Lower Trenton Bridge in New Jersey – “Trenton Makes The World Takes” – was lit in green on November 8, 9, and 10. In addition, the New Jersey State House Capitol Dome was lit in green on November 8.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), C. diff infection remains an urgent public health threat and the most common healthcare-associated infection causing an estimated half a million illnesses and tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S each year.1,2 Although healthcare-associated cases of C. diff infection are decreasing, community associated infections are not.1 Strategies to help reduce C. diff infection rates include education on responsible antibiotic use, improving healthcare facility cleaning and disinfection,  and infection control.1

“We appreciate the support of the governors of New Jersey and Minnesota and their recognition of C. diff Infection Awareness Month for the fifth straight year,” said Raza Ahmed, MD, Senior Director, Medical Affairs, Ferring Pharmaceuticals. “It is important to continue to highlight the impact C. diff infection has on patients, families, caregivers and healthcare providers.”

For more information about C. diff infection and to access resources for patients and caregivers, please visit our website.

About C. diff Infection

C. diff infection is a serious and potentially deadly infection that impacts people across the globe. The C. diff bacterium causes debilitating symptoms, such as severe diarrhea, fever, stomach tenderness or pain, loss of appetite, nausea and colitis (an inflammation of the colon).2 C. diff infection can be the start of a vicious cycle of recurrence, causing a significant burden for patients and the healthcare system.1,3 It has been estimated that up to 35% of C. diff infection cases recur after initial diagnosis and people who have had a recurrence are at significantly higher risk of further infections.4,5,6,7 After the first recurrence, it has been estimated that up to 65% of patients may develop a subsequent recurrence.6,7 Antibiotics – the current standard of care for treatment of C. diff infection – treat the disease but can also be a contributing factor to the cycle of recurrence.2

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, uro-oncology and in specialty areas within gastroenterology, including microbiome therapeutics, and orthopaedics. For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464) or visit http://www.ferringusa.com/.

Connect with us on our dedicated microbiome therapeutics development channels on Twitter and LinkedIn.

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report: Clostridioides difficile. 2021 Nov. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobialresistance/media/pdfs/clostridioides-difficile-508.pdf
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is diff? 2022 Sep. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/c-diff/about/
  3. Feuerstadt P, et al. Healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs associated with index and recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection: a real-world data analysis. J Med Econ. 2020 Jun.;23(6):603-609. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31999199/
  4. Riddle DJ, Dubberke ER. Clostridium difficile infection in the intensive care unit. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2009 Sept.;23(3):727-743. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19665092/
  5. 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 Jul.;27(7):828-838. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33703939/
  6. Kelly, CP. Can we identify patients at high risk of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection? Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012 Dec.;18(Suppl. 6):21–27. Available from:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23121551/
  7. Smits WK, et al. Clostridium difficile Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Apr.;2:16020. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27158839/

For more information:

Lisa Ellen
Director, Brand Communications
E: lisa.ellen@ferring.com
P: +1-862-286-5696