Beiruting News

Osteoporosis, which translates to "porous bone", is a disease characterized by a loss in bone quantity and quality. This chronic disabling disease makes bones fragile and increases the risk of fracture, a major cause of disabilities, especially among the elderly.  Fractures due to Osteoporosis have a serious impact on a person's health, happiness and quality of life. They can result in chronic pain, long-term disability and in some severe cases, death. This disease cannot be ignored! At least one in three women and one in five men over the age of fifty will suffer an osteoporotic fracture.


Amgen, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, is more determined than ever to make sure everyone acknowledges the hazards of Osteoporosis as well as the importance of early diagnosis to prevent fractures. For this purpose, Amgen joined hands with the Lebanese Society of Endocrinologists, the Lebanese Society of Rheumatologists, and the Lebanese Society of Orthopedists, to hold a press conference in Beirut aiming at tackling key aspects of Osteoporosis, mainly its causes, risk factors, effects, early diagnosis and the many ways patients can prevent Osteoporosis-related fractures. 


"At Amgen, quality is the cornerstone of everything we do. Our objectives revolve around serving patients around the world and our activities are based on values and principles, the most important of which is: 'Pioneer in Science", said Lama Mouhayar, General Manager of Amgen in the Levant Markets, on the occasion. "As for our continuous efforts to spread awareness about osteoporosis, we are engaged in several lectures, conferences and campaigns around this widespread disease, in an effort to reduce the number of fractures caused by Osteoporosis", she added.


The press conference, moderated by TV presenter Nathalie Naoum, featured a panel discussion by the presidents of the collaborating societies, Dr.  Paola Atallah, Dr. Amer Abdallah and Dr. Kamel Mroueh, who explained Osteoporosis in details, shed light on Osteoporotic fractures and their effect on patients' lives and reiterated the importance of early detection and prevention.  Also present on the day was Lebanese Author, Theater Director and Actress Betty Taoutel who shared a heartfelt testimonial on her and her mother's journey with Osteoporosis. "I was diagnosed with Osteopenia and it was devastating to learn that a woman my age would have such a low bone density, especially that my mother has had multiple bone fractures due to Osteoporosis, which makes me very much aware of the effects of this disease on a person's life", said Betty. "I am very happy, however, to have caught the disease at its early stages which helped me take the necessary measures to improve my bone density. Now I exercise, I eat healthy and I follow up on my treatment, all the while leading a very productive and happy life", she added.


Earlier this year, Amgen had broken the Guinness World Record for the highest number of bone density tests performed in 24 hours, offering free BMD and FRAX to more than 483 people from all over Lebanon, in an attempt to encourage the Lebanese to go gest tested. Amgen started their mission to raise awareness on Osteoporosis in November 2018 when they supported the Osteoporosis Awareness Campaign entitled #BreakYourNorms that invited people to go beyond the common knowledge that Osteoporosis hits after the age of 50 and get an early diagnosis in order to save their bones.