DEERFIELD, Ill., April 17, 2007 - In developing countries, hemophilia is often under recognized and poorly managed. Baxter Healthcare Corporation is committed to improving care for people with hemophilia in the developing world through its support of the World Federation of Hemophilia's (WFH) Global Alliance for Progress (GAP) program. Each year on April 17, the hemophilia community recognizes World Hemophilia Day, which was established to increase awareness, advance care and improve disease management standards for people with hemophilia worldwide. Important progress made in the GAP program exemplifies how the WFH is working toward the vision of “Treatment for All.” Since its inception in 2003, Baxter has contributed a total of $1.5 million in funding to the GAP program.

 

“We continue to work on all fronts to deliver on our commitment to the global hemophilia community,” said David Holliday, vice president of Global Marketing for Baxter's BioScience division. “Baxter is proud to be a founding sponsor of the GAP program and commends its work in improving diagnosis, treatment and educational resources for people with hemophilia in developing countries.”

 

According to the World Federation of Hemophilia, the life expectancy of a child born with hemophilia in countries with a gross national product (GNP) of less than $2,000 per capita is 19 years old, compared to over 60 years old in the developed world. Early diagnosis of the condition, access to appropriate care and trained healthcare professionals are the major factors that determine life expectancy and quality of life.

 

“Consistent with the theme of World Hemophilia Day 2007 to 'Improve your life' we continue to advance the GAP program to expand its reach to additional people with hemophilia in developing countries, where hemophilia continues to be under recognized and poorly treated,” said Mark Skinner, president, WFH. “Thanks to the support of companies like Baxter we have exceeded initial expectations and have now established hemophilia care programs in 10 developing countries.”

 

GAP's Progress

 

WFH's ultimate goal with GAP is to increase the diagnosis and improve the treatment of people with hemophilia in up to 30 developing countries. Participating countries include: Armenia; Azerbaijan; Egypt; Jordan; Mexico; Russia; Thailand; Lebanon; and Ecuador. Program focus areas and corresponding milestones include:

• The care delivery system
  • Identified more than 6,500 new hemophilia patients
  • Trained/educated more than 5,500 healthcare professionals, regulators and hemophilia team members
  • Increased knowledge of hemophilia in developing countries
• Quality and quantity of treatment products
  • Assured broader access to a high standard of care through agreements with seven countries and WFH
    • Increased resources by up to 120 percent for hemophilia care and treatment products
    • Improved laboratory diagnostic standards in 65 centers across the globe
• Medical expertise and diagnosis
  • Standardized treatment protocols by publishing Guidelines for the Management of Hemophilia, the first international guidelines for hemophilia care
• National hemophilia organizations
  • Motivated hemophilia communities by training 738 hemophilia patients and their families in 2006

 

About Hemophilia A

 

People with hemophilia A do not produce adequate amounts of factor VIII, which is necessary for blood to effectively clot. If untreated, patients with severe hemophilia A have a greatly reduced life expectancy. According to the World Health Organization, more than 400,000 people in the world have hemophilia, corresponding to a prevalence of 15 to 20 in every 100,000 males born worldwide.

 

About Baxter

 

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal U.S. operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX). Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.