Newswise — The American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation (REF) today announced that Amgen Inc. and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals have committed more than $5.5 million to support programs designed by the REF to ensure that a highly trained workforce is available to provide clinical care to patients with rheumatic diseases.
The support provided by Amgen and Wyeth comes at a pivotal time when the rheumatology community is asking: "Who will treat rheumatic diseases in 2025?" According to the 2006 ACR Rheumatology Workforce Study, the demand for rheumatologists to treat patients between 2005 and 2025 will rise 46 percent while the number of rheumatologists in adult practice will increase only 1.2 percent. To meet the increasing demand, one of the workforce study's recommendations is to increase the number of fellowship positions, a core goal of the Foundation and an objective to which Amgen and Wyeth are highly committed.
The majority of the $5.5 million will enable the REF to expand the ACR REF/Amgen/Wyeth Rheumatology Fellowship Training Award, part of the Foundation's extensive awards and grants program. This vital award ensures that a highly trained workforce is available by providing funds to help pay for one year of rheumatology training for a fellow. "There's no doubt that this award is a vital component of the REF awards and grants program," says REF President James R. O'Dell, MD. "One of the REF's core goals is to provide support to rheumatology fellows and this award really speaks to that. We are so appreciative that Amgen and Wyeth have decided to continue support for this worthwhile program."
Originally launched in 2002 with financial support from Amgen, this award has provided rheumatology training for more than 100 fellows to date. "Ensuring the development of future rheumatologists is vital to providing the best care to people with rheumatic diseases," said Dr. Ellen McCroskery, executive director of medical affairs at Amgen. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue to support the rheumatology community through training programs such as those designed by REF."
The expansion of the award will increase the number of recipients per year from 20 to 30. "We are thrilled to help guarantee a strong future for the field Rheumatology by supporting the training of future generations. We expect that these trainees will not only become clinical experts but will have a chance to participate in the discovery of new treatments and even cures for a multitude of rheumatologic diseases" said Dr. Bruce Freundlich, multi- therapeutic area head, global medical affairs at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
About the ACR Research and Education FoundationThe ACR Research and Education Foundation was established in 1985 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to improve patients' lives through support of research and training that advances the prevention, treatment and cure of rheumatic diseases. Since its founding, the REF has promoted and advanced the field of rheumatology by funding research, training and education opportunities for clinicians, students, health professionals, researchers and academic institutions.
About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
About Wyeth Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, has leading products in the areas of women's health care, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products. Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and non-prescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health.
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