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. - September 30, 2010

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.”

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

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.