Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies,conducted an awareness session about Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, IPF, as a rare disease. During the session, the results of a thorough research about IPF and the new available treatment have been discussed. This session coincides with the approval and registration of Boehringer Ingelheim IPF treatment, Nintedanib, in Lebanon.
IPF is a debilitating and fatal rare lung disease with high mortality, affecting as many as 3 million people worldwide. It is characterized by chronic scaring and remodeling of the lung and progressive decline in lung function3,4. IPF is the most common interstitial lung disease encountered worldwide and poses a major public health threat, as 70% to 80% of patients die within only 5 years from the diagnosis. To date, the cause of IPF is unidentified and despite recent progress treatment options for patients are still limited.
In order to raise awareness among members of the press and to educate the wider public, three prominent doctors were hosted to discuss the importance of telling the story of the rare diseases, the IPF treatments and how will they change the millions of lives affected.
Mr. Fouad Jeweidi, Boehringer Ingelheim Country Head of Levant, welcomed the members of the press saying: "Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to serving through research into diseases and the development of new drugs and therapies. It is todayamong the top 20 companies in the world and spends 20% of the net sales on R&D and have signed off until date, landmark respiratory studies, one of our leading business unit in the company. It is renowned to delivervalue through innovations, lead through innovations and improve the life of patients, especially on the rare diseases side where patients lack of effective treatments due to a lack in the scientific knowledge".
Dr. Salah Zein El Dine, Director, Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine at theAmerican University of Beirut, spoke about the importance of the Awareness around the Rare Diseases: "IPF is often misdiagnosed; over half of patients see three physicians before being diagnosed with IPF4and in more than 50% of cases, IPF is initially misdiagnosed as heart failure, COPD, asthma or other pulmonary diseases5. The average time to diagnosis is 1-2 years after onset of symptoms5,6".
Speaking about IPF, Dr. Georges Dabbar, Section Head of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Division at Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, confirmed that IPF is more deadly than many forms of cancer. He confirmed: "IPF prevalence is increasing and the risks factors are numerous, namely Smoking, environmental exposures, abnormal acid reflux and family history of the disease 7,8 . Nintedanibis a recommended treatment for IPF according to the 2015 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT guidelines.9the new treatment consistently slows disease progression with an ~50% reduction in FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) decline across a broad range of IPF patients types.9-18 The long term efficacy and safety of Nintedanibin IPF patients was demonstrated for up to 51 months.19it significantly reduces the risk of acute IPF exacerbations by 68% in a pooled data analysis. 20 Diagnosing IPF can be delayed because it requires specific diagnostic testing, such as lung imaging using a high-resolution CT scan. Acute exacerbations of IPF are sudden worsening of respiratory symptoms for which there is no identifiable cause. 21,22Their annual rate has been estimated to be 5-10% of patients at risk 23and their prognosis is poor with a median survival of 2.2 months and mortality exceeding 50%. 23, 24.
Dr. Marie-Louise Coussa-Koniski, Head of the Respiratory Division and Sleep Center at the Lebanese American University Medical Center - Rizk Hospital (LAUMC-RH) declared: "."
Members of the press and health representatives assisted to a very informative session and interacted with the doctors to draw a thorough idea of this new critical diseaseand its treatment management and diagnosis with Boehringer Ingelheim.
