Baxter Partners with World Federation of Hemophilia to Heighten Awareness of Vital Role of Comprehensive Care in Hemophilia Management and Global Disparities in Care

DEERFIELD, Ill., April 15, 2009 – In recognition of the 20th anniversary of World Hemophilia Day, Baxter International, Inc., in its continuing partnership with the World Federation of Hemophilia, today announced the availability of the “Together, We Care” video podcast (available at www.wfh.org/whd ) to help raise awareness of the vital role of comprehensive care in hemophilia management and to call attention to disparities in care around the world. While research shows that comprehensive care reduces risk of death among hemophilia patients by 40 percent, tragically, only about 25 percent of all people living with hemophilia receive adequate treatment.^1,2

“Hemophilia is serious, and can be life-threatening, but with a comprehensive care management approach, including treatment and care from a team of healthcare professionals, people with hemophilia can live longer, healthier lives,” said Mark Skinner, president, World Federation of Hemophilia. “We are grateful to Baxter for its support of the ‘Together, We Care’ video podcast, an important educational tool to help ensure that all patients with a bleeding disorder, regardless of where they live in the world, have access to proper management, care and treatment.”

The video podcast provides a forum for the World Federation of Hemophilia’s National Member Organizations, Baxter employees and community members worldwide to help advocate for local care of people living with hemophilia. It spotlights the importance of comprehensive care teams in improving these individuals’ lives through the perspectives of the patient, physician, nurse coordinator and advocacy group representative. The video podcast also builds on Baxter’s long-standing commitment to initiatives aimed at improving access for bleeding disorder patients.

To help raise the standard of and provide access to care for the global hemophilia community, Baxter makes available a number of resources, including education, advocacy programs and support, clinician support and factor replacement therapies, an integral component of the comprehensive care approach. In particular, the company has donated $1.5 million and nearly 3 million IUs of its hemophilia products to the World Federation of Hemophilia’s Global Alliance for Progress (GAP) program since its inception, of which the company is founding member and leading sponsor. The GAP program was launched by the World Federation of Hemophilia and its members to improve the diagnosis and treatment of people with hemophilia in up to 30 developing countries.

“All community members – patients, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, government and industry – have a role to play to help ensure broad-based access to treatment and care for people with hemophilia,” said Bruce Ewenstein, M.D., Ph.D., vice president for Global Clinical and Medical Affairs in Baxter’s BioScience business. “Baxter is proud to contribute resources such as the ‘Together, We Care’ video podcast to encourage a global dialogue around these issues with the goal of improving the standard of care for all people living with hemophilia.”

About Comprehensive Care

Comprehensive care is critical to managing the physical, emotional, psychological, social and educational needs of people with hemophilia and their families. The approach ensures: accurate diagnosis, prompt and effective therapy, fewer hospitalizations, healthy joints and muscles, and support for patients and their families. The hemophilia care team includes a wide range of professionals – including hematologists, nurses, physical therapists, social workers, counselors and many others – who deliver the skills and care necessary to manage patient needs and improve their health. The new video podcast highlights the vital role of these comprehensive care teams in improving hemophilia patients’ overall health through both the patient and healthcare professional perspective.

The much needed factor replacement therapies developed and made available by Baxter also are an integral part of the comprehensive care approach. With more than 50 years of innovation and therapeutic firsts that have revolutionized hemophilia treatment, Baxter provides a wide range of therapies that benefit patients and clinicians at every treatment stage, helping to raise the standard of care for people with hemophilia around the world. Utilizing this comprehensive care approach ensures accurate diagnosis, prompt and effective treatment, fewer hospitalizations, healthy joints and muscles and support for families.

About World Hemophilia Day

April 17, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of World Hemophilia Day. Since its creation in 1989 in honor of the World Federation of Hemophilia’s founder Frank Schnabel, World Hemophilia Day has not only served as a day of celebration for the hemophilia community, but also as an opportunity to increase awareness of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders and their impact on the global community.

About Hemophilia A

Hemophilia A is largely an inherited disorder in which one of the proteins needed to form blood clots, factor VIII, is missing or reduced. Without enough factor VIII, people with hemophilia can experience spontaneous, uncontrolled internal bleeding that can be painful, debilitating and damaging to joints. In about 30 percent of cases, there is no family history of hemophilia and the condition is the result of a spontaneous gene mutation. According to the World Federation of Hemophilia, more than 400,000 people in the world have hemophilia. All races and economic groups are affected equally.

About Baxter International Inc.

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX), through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.

About the World Federation of Hemophilia

The World Federation of Hemophilia is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with hemophilia and related bleeding disorders. Since it was established in 1963, the World Federation of Hemophilia has grown into a truly global network, with member organizations in more than 113 countries and official recognition from the World Health Organization. The World Federation of Hemophilia works in partnership with healthcare professionals and people with hemophilia, governments and regulators, industry and foundations, to improve hemophilia care throughout the world.

References
¹ Soucie MJ, Nuss R, Evatt B, Abdelhak A, et al. Mortality among males with hemophilia: relations with source of medical care. Blood 96 (2); 2000: 437-442.
² World Federation of Hemophilia.