NEXIUM® Savings Program for Purple Plus™ Members

WILMINGTON, Del. -- AstraZeneca announced enhancements to the Purple Plus™ Program for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who are prescribed NEXIUM® (esomeprazole magnesium). This patient support program is designed to make NEXIUM more affordable for patients through instant rebates, and to provide educational tools that can assist patients in staying adherent to their prescribed therapy.

"NEXIUM is a very important treatment option for patients with GERD because of its proven efficacy in healing damage to the esophagus caused by acid reflux," said Doug Levine, MD, executive director in Clinical Development for AstraZeneca. "As part of our long-standing commitment to positively impact the gastrointestinal health of patients with acid-related diseases, we are pleased to offer a program that can make NEXIUM, as prescribed by healthcare professionals, more affordable to patients. The support and education components of Purple Plus™ can help patients appropriately partner with their healthcare professionals in managing their disease through recommended treatment interventions, which optimizes the chances for achieving the best possible outcomes."

Nationwide, NEXIUM costs the majority of patients with prescription coverage less than a dollar a day, based on national average co-pay.¹ Individual costs may vary. Refill data shows that patients who participate in the Purple Plus™ program stay on therapy longer than non-members.² In addition, patients participating in the Purple Plus™ Program can receive instant rebates (up to $30 for insured and $50 for uninsured) on their NEXIUM prescriptions through the Purple Plus™ Savings Card. Patients also will receive regular e-mail and direct mail communications containing acid reflux education, refill reminders, newsletters and cookbooks.

Furthermore, patients have access to comprehensive online resources and tools, including a GERD-friendly meal planner, trigger checker, an online dietitian, fitness planner, and more, which are all accessible through the member's own personal Web page on www.PurplePill.com.

Enrollment in the Purple Plus™ program is simple and entails no paperwork. NEXIUM® (esomeprazole magnesium) patients can enroll by: 1) Visiting www.PurplePill.com, 2) Calling 1-888-PurplePill, or 3) Activating the Purple Plus™ Savings Card they receive from their physician. Once enrolled, each person will receive a Welcome kit in the mail, with subsequent mailings to follow.

The Purple Plus™ Program enhances face-to-face interactions between physicians and patients by providing a program that helps educate them about managing acid reflux disease, understanding overall gastrointestinal (GI) wellness, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

References
1. Wolters Kluwer Health Source®, Dynamic Claims Analyzer January through August 2007. Based on average monthly co-pay amount for commercial and Medicare Part D programs. Survey included 4100 plans; 63 percent of claims had a co-pay of $29 or less. Does not include other types of out-of-pocket costs. DA-NEX-99: Wolters Kluwer Health Source® Dynamic Claims TM, January through August 2007.
2. DOF DA-NEX-98
3. Shaker R, Castell DO, Schoenfeld PS, Spechler SJ. Nighttime heartburn is an under-appreciated clinical problem that impacts sleep and daytime function: The results of a Gallup survey conducted on behalf of the American Gastroenterological Association. American Journal of Gastroenterology 2003;98(7):1487-1493.

Source: AstraZeneca