The launch of 4008A in India generated good feedback from healthcare professionals at the Annual Conference of Indian Society of Nephrology last month. (image: Fresenius Medical Care Asia-Pacific Limited)
India, Jan. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services, today announced the launch of its 4008A dialysis machine, which was especially designed to meet the needs of emerging markets. With the launch of the 4008A, the company is aiming to improve accessibility to life-sustaining dialysis treatment for patients in these countries who are living with from end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
The 4008A dialysis machine incorporates Fresenius Medical Care’s high therapy standards while minimizing costs for health care systems. It has primarily been deployed in India, with other countries across the Asia-Pacific region to follow.
Worldwide, there is an urgent and growing need for patients with ESRD to access dialysis. ESRD is the stage of kidney disease where a person’s kidneys have stopped working permanently and they need long-term dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
A systematic review of worldwide access to treatment in 2015 estimated that almost two million people in Asia with ESRD who needed dialysis were not receiving it – a treatment gap that is double the number of patients actively being treated.¹ In response to this need, Fresenius Medical Care has developed the 4008A dialysis machine, which aims to make dialysis more affordable and therefore more accessible for people who have traditionally been unable to access dialysis care, especially in rural areas.
One of the first physicians to use the 4008A dialysis machine is Dr Vijay Kher, Chairman at the Kidney and Urology Institute of Medanta in Gurugram. He said: “In India, the true burden of ESRD is not known, but it is estimated that 90 percent of people who need dialysis die because they cannot afford the life-saving treatment. Of those who do begin dialysis, 60 percent stop for financial reasons.² I strongly believe that for countries like India, preventive strategies and early detection of diseases should be a large goal. However, for patients who develop ESRD, affordable care should be available. I am delighted that India has been chosen as the first country in Asia–Pacific to utilize this machine, allowing dialysis to be offered to a larger number of people at an affordable price, helping to close this treatment gap.”
For 21-year-old Kshitija from New Delhi, being able to access dialysis with the 4008A has been transforming. Initially, she was devastated to be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at such a young age, and was then in denial about her need for dialysis. Now, after 6 months of dialysis with the 4008A and improving health, she is eager to go back to study and is encouraging others to talk to their doctor about accessing treatment for kidney disease, sooner rather than later.
Dr. Olaf Schermeier, Chief Executive Officer for Global Research and Development at Fresenius Medical Care, emphasized the importance of the 4008A launch: “Our global Research and Development team is in constant dialogue with physicians, nursing staff and patients. We put the benefit for our patients at the center of any new development. That is why we have developed this new high-quality dialysis platform that may allow for better cost effectiveness, and brought it to the market in record time.”
Harry de Wit, CEO of Fresenius Medical Care Asia–Pacific, said: “At Fresenius Medical Care, we are proud of the work we do every day to improve the lives of people who are living with CKD. Bringing the 4008A to India and then to the rest of Asia and the Pacific demonstrates our continuing commitment to help ensure that life-changing dialysis is within reach of the increasing number of people — people just like Kshitija — who, with the right treatment, have the opportunity of better health and pursuing their life dreams.”
References
- Liyanage T et al. Worldwide access to treatment for end-stage kidney disease: a systematic review.
www.thelancet.com Published online March 13, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61601-9. - Varughese S, Abraham G. Chronic Kidney Disease in India: A Clarion Call for Change. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 13: 802–804, 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.09180817
ABOUT FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE
Fresenius Medical Care is the world’s largest provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases of which around 3.2 million patients worldwide regularly undergo dialysis treatment. Through its network of 3,872 dialysis clinics, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatments for 329,085 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the leading provider of dialysis products such as dialysis machines or dialyzers. Along with its core business, the company provides related medical services in the field of Care Coordination. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME) and on the New York Stock Exchange (FMS).
For more information visit the Company’s website at www.freseniusmedicalcare.com.
Disclaimer
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.
Attachments
Dr. Alexandra Villar
Fresenius Medical Care Asia-Pacific Limited
+61 2 9466 8020
Alexandra.Villar@fmc-asia.com
Source: Fresenius Medical Care Asia-Pacific Limited via GLOBE NEWSIWIRE
