Shire announces the Canadian availability of VYVANSE prodrug therapy for ADHD treatment

Survey reveals insights into ADHD treatment

Canadian families managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have a new treatment option. Today, Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced the Canadian availability of VYVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsule), the first and only prodrug therapy approved for ADHD treatment in Canada.

ADHD National Survey

According to an Angus Reid survey of 301 parents with ADHD-diagnosed children between the ages of 6 and 12, while symptom control during school hours is the single most important reason for medication, 37 per cent of parents report their child's medication wears off before school ends at 4:00 p.m. Half (50%) say their current medication wears off before dinner time (6:00 p.m.) and 73 per cent report their child's ADHD is a challenge between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m.

Other highlights from the national survey:

- 60 per cent of families felt their teacher treated their child differently as a result of their ADHD diagnosis - 88 per cent of parents whose child takes medication felt treating their child's ADHD had a positive impact on their self-esteem - 93 per cent of families were interested in learning about new treatment options for their child's ADHD - 71 per cent of ADHD families in Canada have chosen medication as part of their ADHD treatment plan - 74 per cent of ADHD families whose child does not take medication say their child is easily distracted and experiences difficulty in sustaining attention during activities.

Based on patient survey feedback, consistent symptom control with no highs or lows (83 per cent) and consistent symptom control from one day to the next (81 per cent) are important characteristics when choosing a medication for their child.(i)

"Dependable ADHD symptom control from one day to the next, without mood fluctuations, is an ongoing challenge for our family," said Lisa Doucette, mother of a six year-old diagnosed with ADHD. "My child needs all day symptom control in order to reach his full potential."

ADHD: A common childhood challenge

According to the Canadian Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Resource Alliance (CADDRA), ADHD is the most common psychiatric disorder of childhood, affecting five to 12 per cent of school-aged children.(ii) At any given time, more than 270,800 Canadian children may experience ADHD.(iii) Finding the right medication to treat a child's core ADHD symptoms - inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity can be a complex puzzle for parents. VYVANSE can provide an important missing piece.

VYVANSE: A new option

VYVANSE is the first and only prodrug therapy approved for ADHD treatment in Canada, and is indicated for the treatment of ADHD in children aged six to 12 years.

"Having access to a new ADHD treatment is welcomed news," said Dr. Margaret Weiss, leading expert in teaching ADHD and prominent Canadian Psychiatrist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. "VYVANSE has been available in the US for over two years, where it has been well received. VYVANSE is interesting as it only becomes an active drug when in the body, because of the prodrug technology."

Since June of 2007, VYVANSE has been used in the United States. To date, more than seven million VYVANSE prescriptions have been filled.(iv)

ADHDandYou.ca: A new resource for families

As a Canadian leader in ADHD research and treatment, Shire is pleased to launch www.ADHDandYou.ca - an online educational resource for families to learn more about ADHD. According to a study released by Statistics Canada, two-thirds of adult Canadians use the internet and almost 60 per cent of these adults looked for health information on the web.(v) This online resource will provide balanced, up-to-date information for Canadian ADHD families.

Source: SHIRE CANADA INC.