Survey Suggests Millions May Suffer From Treatable Digestive Disorder, But Do Not Know It

Olympic Gold Medallist Swimmer with GERD Advocates Early Diagnosis, Treatment

Teaneck, NJ and Titusville, NJ - October 9, 2002

If you're among the millions of Americans who take antacids regularly to control heartburn, you could be ignoring symptoms of a treatable digestive disorder called gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD.

According to a new survey, symptoms that may be related to GERD are common among millions of Americans, with nine in 10 (88 percent) saying they have experienced at least one symptom, such as bloating or gas (71 percent), heartburn (62 percent), and persistent belching or burping (49 percent). On average, those who experienced these symptoms say they occur one to two days per week - which can add up to 104 days a year.

Yet, the majority of Americans do not associate, or are less likely to associate, some of these symptoms with the disorder, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.

Two-time Olympic Gold Medallist swimmer, Tom Dolan, is one of the more than seven million people in the United States who suffer from GERD.

"During college, I began suffering from painful heartburn and acid reflux. I didn't think much about it and tried antacids, but they only provided temporary relief," Dolan recalled. "I ignored my symptoms until they started to interfere with my competitive swimming. My doctor diagnosed GERD and prescribed Aciphexâ (rabeprazole sodium). Now, my symptoms are under
control, and I can concentrate on swimming in the 2004 Olympics."*

Early diagnosis and treatment for GERD can help reduce - or even eliminate -- these symptoms, but almost 70 percent of those surveyed who suffer symptoms have not discussed them with a healthcare professional.

"People often dismiss symptoms of GERD as nothing more than an annoyance, but -- if left untreated -- it can lead to other, more serious medical conditions," said Stephen A. Brunton, M.D., director of Faculty Development, Stamford Hospital/Columbia University Family Practice Residency Program, Stamford, Connecticut. "Tom was right to seek medical attention and treatment before his condition got worse. With the effective treatments available today, there is little reason for a person with GERD to suffer."

About GERD

GERD is often characterized by the presence of symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, belching and early satiety (feeling of being full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual), with or without evidence of erosion to the esophagus.

GERD occurs when stomach acid moves in the wrong direction, flowing back -- or refluxing -- into the esophagus (the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach), commonly causing discomfort.

"Aciphex helped me and my active lifestyle," said Gold-Medallist Dolan.* "If you have acid reflux, it's important to talk to your doctor about treatments that can help you." The survey, co-sponsored by Eisai Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc., was conducted by Harris Interactive among a nationally representative random sample of 1,007 adults.
The margin of error for the total sample is +/- 3.1 percent.

*Individual results may vary.

About Aciphex® (Rabeprazole Sodium)

Aciphex is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic GERD, healing of erosive GERD, maintenance of healed erosive GERD, healing of duodenal ulcers and treatment of symptoms related to these conditions. Aciphex also is approved for the treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions, including Zollinger- Ellison syndrome, a rare disorder that causes the stomach to produce excess acid. Aciphex product labeling recommends once-daily dosing for all indications, except for pathological hypersecretory conditions, for which dosing varies per patient.

In clinical trials, Aciphex demonstrated a favorable side-effect profile. Headache was the most common side effect assessed as possibly related to Aciphex (2.4 percent vs. 1.6 percent for placebo). Aciphex is contraindicated in patients with known sensitivity to rabeprazole, substituted benzimidazoles or any component of the formulation. As is the case for other proton pump inhibitors, symptomatic response to therapy with Aciphex does not preclude the presence of gastric malignancy. Patients treated concomitantly with proton pump inhibitors, including rabeprazole sodium, and warfarin may need to be monitored for increases in INR and prothrombin time.

Additional Information

Aciphex is a registered trademark of Eisai Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, and is co-promoted by Eisai Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. in the United States.

Eisai Inc. is a U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd., a research-based human health care company that discovers, develops and markets products in more than 30 countries. Established in 1995, Eisai Inc. began marketing its first product in the United States in 1997 and has rapidly grown to become an integrated pharmaceutical business with sales of more than $1 billion in fiscal year 2001 (year ending March 31, 2002). Eisai Inc. employs a total of more than 600 people at its headquarters in Teaneck, N.J., at its state-of-the-art pharmaceutical production and formulation research and development facility in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and in the field. Between 1998 and 2001, Eisai Inc. moved up rapidly in the rankings of U.S. pharmaceutical companies (based on revenues) from No. 44 to 23.

Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the world's most comprehensive manufacturer of health care products and related services. Janssen markets therapies for fungal infections, gastrointestinal disorders, psychiatric conditions and chronic pain. Janssen Pharmaceutica's international operations are headquartered in Beerse, Belgium, with affiliates in 32 countries; Janssen's U.S. headquarters are based in Titusville, NJ.

Tom Dolan is a paid spokesperson working with Eisai and Janssen to raise awareness of the symptoms of GERD.

Harris Interactive (www.harrisinteractive.com) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll® and its pioneering use of the Internet to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Harris combines the power of unique methodologies and technology with international expertise in predictive, custom and strategic research.

For more information, call Eisai Inc. at 1-888-4ACIPHE(X) or Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. at 1-800-JANSSEN. Please see package insert for full prescribing information.

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