New Care Management Center Provides Expanded Access to Home Infusion

NEW ORLEANS, August 7, 2018 — Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (“Option Care”), the nation’s largest provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion therapy services, is expanding patient access to care with the opening of its first Care Management Center in Louisiana. The facility opened June 11 in Elmwood, La., introducing the company’s personalized clinical care to patients covered by national and regional health insurance plans.

Through the new Louisiana Care Management Center (“CMC”), Option Care’s dedicated team of clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, technicians and dietitians may now deliver home and alternate treatment site infusion services to patients who rely on infusion therapies for complex conditions including:

• Infectious diseases
• Nutritional and gastrointestinal disorders
• Advanced cardiac failure
• Primary immune deficiencies
• Hemophilia and bleeding disorders
• Autoimmune disorders
• End-stage organ failure

“Our expansion into Louisiana means that millions more patients now have access to Option Care’s specialized clinical care, supported by our national network of pharmacies and alternate treatment sites across the country,” said William Miller, RPh Clinical Director of Infectious Disease at Option Care. “Patients want access to quality, personalized care in the comfort of their own homes or the convenience of community-based alternate treatment sites. That’s what we deliver, ensuring seamless transitions of care from hospital to home and helping patients manage their health with greater ease and less worry.”

The new Louisiana CMC is led by senior staff who have significant clinical expertise and local experience with the delivery of critical healthcare services.

“We have an extensive knowledge of this area and are thrilled to be part of the team that is bringing Option Care’s services to patients who need these critical therapies,” said Mike Messonnier, MSPH, RPh Director of Operations at the Option Care Louisiana CMC. “Option Care is advancing the infusion care industry with technologies that support the highest levels of clinical excellence. We’re delighted to be providing these innovative services to patients in our community.”

The Louisiana CMC location will be equipped to deliver superior outcomes with Option Care’s state-of-the-art, technology-enabled, data-driven services and programs.

About Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. Holding accreditations from industry quality organizations ACHC, PCAB, ASHP and URAC,[*]Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and URAC. the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., May 16, 2018 — Survival may improve when advanced heart failure patients receiving home infusion of inotropic therapy are also receiving guideline-directed care, suggest results of a large study recently published in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.[*]Havakuk O, Tran J, Artig-Brown T, et al. Intravenous inotropes, beta blockers and survival in ambulatory heart failure patients — a contemporary study in 3,311 patients. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2018;37(4)(suppl):S202.  The study was conducted by investigators from Keck School of Medicine of USC and Option Care Health, the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services.

Patients with advanced heart failure (Stage D) may be prescribed intravenous (IV) inotropic therapy while they await a heart transplant or mechanical circulatory support, or as a palliative measure. The therapy may improve quality of life[*]Walther K, Artig-Brown T, et al. The impact of home infusion on quality of life in patients with heart failure receiving home inotropic therapy based on the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire. Poster presented at the 2017 National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Annual Conference & Exposition: May 22-25, 2017; Orlando, Fla. by enabling patients’ hearts to pump more efficiently, which may increase their energy levels and may help them breathe easier. While previous research found that patients receiving inotropic therapy survived an average of three to six months, the study of Option Care data suggests an average survival of more than two years.[*]Hauptman PJ, Mikolajczak P, George A, Mohr et al. Chronic inotropic therapy in end-stage heart failure. Am Heart J. 2006;152:1096 e1-8. [*]Hershberger RE, Nauman D, Walker TL, et al. Care processes and clinical outcomes of continuous outpatient support with inotropes (COSI) in patients with refractory end-stage heart failure. J Card Fail. 2003;9:180-7. Additionally, survival is improved when doctors follow American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association (ACCF/AHA) guideline recommendations for delivering the therapy, which includes prescribing other medications such as beta blockers.

“Advanced heart failure patients suffer from extreme fatigue and poor quality of life.  Inotropic therapy can make a big difference in their lives, helping them get back to the day-to-day activities that many of us take for granted, such as enjoying time with family,” said Luanda P. Grazette, MD, MPH, principal investigator of the study and associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “As doctors, we sometimes avoid inotropic therapy out of concerns about decreasing survival. Through this research we found that survival on inotropes has improved quite a bit compared to what was observed from studies in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In this study it was not unusual for many patients to live for years on this therapy. This was quite a surprise.”

“Receiving this life-changing therapy in the comfort of home helps patients more fully enjoy their lives,” said Tess Artig-Brown, BSN, MN, co-author of the study and director of Option Care’s Heart Failure Program. “Patients are able to spend more time at home surrounded by family rather than in a hospital or long-term care center where they may be exposed to antibiotic-resistant infections. Home infusion is also much more cost effective than care provided in the hospital or long-term care centers and research has shown that with education and support, these patients are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital.”[*]Meaux N. and Tatiel M. Hospital admission reductions among Stage D heart failure patients participating in a home inotropic infusion program. Poster presented at 7^th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN): June 23-25, 2011; Seattle. 

Presented recently at the 38^th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation in Nice, France, the study is the largest to date to focus on long-term use of inotropic therapy.

The study included 3,296 advanced heart failure patients treated with inotropes between May 2009 and June 2016. The overall adjusted median survival on continuous inotrope therapy was 771 days. The average time on inotrope therapy was 171.2 days with a minimum of one day and a maximum of 2,204 days. The majority of patients, 2,300 (69.8 percent), were treated with milrinone, 942 (28.6 percent) with dobutamine and 54 (1.6 percent) received dopamine. Beta blocker therapy, used by 799 patients (24.2 percent), reduced mortality by 50 percent.

Earlier studies reported a higher mortality rate among patients on inotropic therapy, but they were conducted when the treatment practices were different, including bolusing (providing a large initial dose) — which has since been determined to be too taxing for the heart — followed by continuous infusion at much higher doses than what is currently used. Most physicians now start patients on the lowest dose and increase it slowly to achieve the desired result. The guidelines note it’s important that prior to advancing to Stage D, heart failure patients are prescribed oral and mechanical therapies as appropriate, such as beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

About Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. An industry leader, the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCareHealth.com.

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., March 9, 2018 — Option Care Enterprises, Inc., the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, has been selected by Theratechnologies Inc. as an infusion provider for Trogarzo^TM (ibalizumab-uiyk) Injection, an intravenous (IV) infusion for the treatment of multidrug resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections.

Option Care will provide personalized care management support to patients receiving Trogarzo^TM infusions in addition to their current HIV treatment regimen. “Driving superior clinical value through nursing services, pharmacy management and patient support enable us to deliver optimal outcomes,” said Matt Deans, Vice President, Business Development at Option Care. “Our ability to provide unmatched home and alternate treatment site infusion services allow us to partner with innovators bringing groundbreaking therapies like Trogarzo^TM to market. In addition, the ability to offer Trogarzo^TM extends our market leadership in the provision of infusion therapies within Infectious Disease.”

Approved by the FDA in March 2018, Trogarzo^TM is marketed and distributed by Theratechnolgies Inc. A high percentage of the HIV+ population faces ongoing challenges with the effectiveness of their treatment. Trogarzo^TM represents a critical new treatment that provides an option to those patients not responding to conventional therapies who are left with limited options.

About Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is the nation’s largest independent and most trusted providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. An industry leader, the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

About  Trogarzo™ (ibalizumab-uiyk) Injection

Trogarzo™ is a humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of multidrug resistant HIV-1 infection. Trogarzo™  binds primarily to the second extracellular domain of the CD4+ T receptor, away from major histocompatibility complex II molecule binding sites. It prevents HIV from infecting CD4+ immune cells while preserving normal immunological function.

About Theratechnologies

Theratechnologies (TSX: TH) is a specialty pharmaceutical company addressing unmet medical needs to promote healthy aging and an improved quality of life among HIV patients. Further information about Theratechnologies is available on the Company’s website at www.theratech.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Trogarzo™ is a prescription HIV medicine that is used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infections in adults.

Trogarzo™ blocks HIV from infecting certain cells of the immune system. This prevents HIV from multiplying and can reduce the amount of HIV in the body.

Before you receive  Trogarzo™, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• are pregnant or plan to become  pregnant. It is not  known  if Trogarzo™ may harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to  breastfeed. It is not  known  if Trogarzo™ passes into breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Trogarzo™ can cause serious side effects, including:

Changes in your immune  system (Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome)  can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system might get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time.   Tell your health care provider right away if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine.

The  most common side effects of Trogarzo™ include:

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Rash

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Trogarzo™. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to 1-833-23THERA (1-833-238-4372).

For more information, including full Prescribing Information and Patient Information, please visit www.trogarzo.com/.

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., Jan. 22, 2018 — Option Care Enterprises, Inc., the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate site infusion services, is presenting data highlighting the importance of clinical excellence in nutrition support at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) 2018 Nutrition Science & Practice Conference. Featured research includes an abstract on long-term teduglutide patients, as well as an oral presentation on the impact of refeeding risk on hospital readmissions and ability to achieve goal parenteral nutrition (PN) for home-initiated PN patients.

An observational study of long-term (>36 months) teduglutide patients provides insight into the characteristics of this unique patient population, finding that 85 percent (34 out of 40 patients) were able to wean completely or reduce their amount of PN support.[*]Corey, B Sappah, L. Long term teduglutide use; a snapshot of practice. Poster presentation at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) 2018 Nutrition Science & Practice Conference: Jan 22-25, 2018; Las Vegas. Teduglitide [rDNA origin] therapy is a prescription medication used in adults with Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) who are dependent on intravenous nutrition and/or hydration (parenteral support), that may increase the absorptive capacity of the remaining intestine (bowel), potentially reducing the patient’s need for parenteral nutrition support.

In a second study, Option Care researchers determined that patients both at risk and not at risk for refeeding syndrome can safely initiate PN in the home setting for a variety of medical conditions with the support of a multidisciplinary nutrition support team.[*]Englert M, Stodola K, Kinnare K. Impact of refeeding risk on hospital readmissions and ability to achieve goal parenteral nutrition (PN) for home-initiated PN patients. Poster presentation at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) 2018 Nutrition Science & Practice Conference: Jan 22-25, 2018; Las Vegas. Patients benefited from increased quality of life, decreased hospital readmissions and improved economic advantages when compared to those receiving nutrition support in an inpatient or skilled nursing facility setting. The results of this study indicate that consideration of initiation of PN in the home setting may reduce costs and the burdens of hospitalization in appropriately selected patients.

Parenteral nutrition initiated in the home setting requires specific assessments and ongoing management by a nutrition support team to monitor for risk of refeeding syndrome, preventing complications and achieving goals of the patient’s PN therapy. Option Care’s comprehensive protocol is customized to each patient’s needs and incorporates strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Representatives from Option Care’s team of nutrition support clinicians will be available at Booth #520 during ASPEN 2018 Nutrition Science & Practice Conference and look forward to sharing their expertise.

About Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is one of the nation’s largest and most trusted providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. An industry leader, the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., Jan. 4, 2018 — Option Care Enterprises, Inc., the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, today announced that its board of directors has appointed John C. Rademacher, current interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operations Officer (COO), as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

“After conducting an extensive search, the Board of Option Care believes John is the right person to lead the Company’s growth and ongoing success,” said Harry Kraemer, Option Care’s Executive Chairman of the Board. “John brings a wealth of healthcare industry experience and a keen strategic and analytical perspective to the role, and demonstrates the values that distinguish Option Care as the leader in the home infusion industry.”

“I am honored and excited to be given the responsibility to lead Option Care,” said John Rademacher. “We have such a proud heritage given all the great work over our 35-year history. With our national scale and highly qualified team, we are uniquely positioned as the market leader to continue to deliver high-quality, low-cost care to our patients and drive significant growth.”

Rademacher has over 25 years of health care related experience, and has held various executive-level positions at leading healthcare companies, including Cardinal Health where he served as President and General Manager for both the Ambulatory Care Division and the Nuclear and Pharmacy Services Divisions, and at Cigna Corporation where he served as President of CareAllies and Chief Operating Officer for the CIGNA Behavioral Health business.

About Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. An industry leader, the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

Over 100 individuals living with ALS have started care in the comfort of their home with Option Care using Radicava^TM

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., Oct. 30, 2017 — Option Care Enterprises, Inc., the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion therapy services, has partnered with The ALS Association to offer education, support and enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

With the approval of RADICAVA^TM (edaravone), the first ALS treatment option approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in more than 20 years, there’s now an increased need to have access to home infusion services. Option Care is proud to be a nationally contracted home infusion provider of RADICAVA^TM (edaravone), supporting the ALS community by providing the ability for individuals living with ALS to receive treatment in the comfort of their home.  Already, over 100 starts of care have successfully been initiated with Radicava^TM (edaravone). In addition, Option Care provides the industry’s leading nutrition support program and enteral therapy for many individuals living with ALS.

“Option Care applauds The ALS Association’s mission and recognizes their efforts in giving help and hope to those facing the disease,” said John Rademacher, CEO, Option Care. “We look forward to this new partnership with The ALS Association and the ability to be part of providing education, support and services to those living with the disease.”

“We’re deeply grateful for Option Care’s willingness to support our mission of helping people with ALS and their families,” said Calaneet Balas, Executive Vice President of Strategy for The ALS Association. “We’re proud to partner with Option Care as its services are more critical now than ever.”

About Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is one of the nation’s largest and most trusted providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. An industry leader, the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

About The ALS Association
The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about The ALS Association, visit our website at  www.alsa.org.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Before you receive RADICAVA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have asthma.
• are allergic to other medicines.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if RADICAVA will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if RADICAVA passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will receive RADICAVA or breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of RADICAVA?

• RADICAVA may cause serious side effects including hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions and sulfite allergic reactions.
• Hypersensitivity reactions have happened in people receiving RADICAVA and can happen after your infusion is finished.
• RADICAVA contains sodium bisulfite, a sulfite that may cause a type of allergic reaction that can be serious and life-threatening. Sodium bisulfite can also cause less severe asthma episodes in certain people. Sulfite sensitivity can happen more often in people who have asthma than in people who do not have asthma.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms: hives; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; fainting; breathing problems; wheezing; trouble swallowing; dizziness; itching; or an asthma attack (in people with asthma).
• Your healthcare provider will monitor you during treatment to watch for signs and symptoms of all the serious side effects.

The most common side effects of RADICAVA include bruising (contusion), problems walking (gait disturbance), and headache.

These are not all the possible side effects of RADICAVA. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. at 1-888-292-0058 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

For more information, including full Prescribing Information and Patient Information, please visit www.RADICAVA.com.

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., Sept. 6, 2017 — Option Care Enterprises, Inc., the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, has signed an agreement to become a national contracted home infusion provider for ALS drug RADICAVATM (edaravone), an intravenous (IV) infusion treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). RADICAVA, the first ALS treatment option approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in more than 20 years, is now available for patient treatment in the United States.

Sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative condition in which the majority of patients die within two to five years of diagnosis.[*]National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Information Page. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/all-disorders/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-als-information-page. Accessed July 17, 2017. [*]Mehta P, Kaye W, Bryan L, et al. (2016). Prevalence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis “United States, 2012—2013. MMWR Surveill Summ; 65(No. SS-8):1—12.

“Our specialized clinical knowledge and rigorous care management support — across multiple therapy areas and patient populations — are the backbone of our expertise as the nation’s home infusion therapy leader for neuromuscular disorders like ALS,” said John Rademacher, CEO of Option Care. “This expertise is why we are a trusted partner for innovators bringing to market new therapies like RADICAVA. By partnering with manufacturers, who trust us to provide critical pharmacy services and care management support, we are able to provide unmatched home infusion services to our patients.”

Option Care’s national payer network includes contracts with more than 800 health plans, ensuring broad access to RADICAVA for patients and clinicians who rely on clinical management of home infusion therapy. Additionally, its national network of clinicians includes more than 1,800 nurses specially trained in care coordination and customized clinical management of complex conditions, including ALS.[*] Option Care data on file.

Approved by the FDA in May 2017, ALS drug RADICAVA is marketed and distributed by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.

Currently, about 12,000 to 15,000 Americans have ALS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).4 ALS attacks and kills the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control the voluntary muscles and produce movements such as chewing, walking, breathing and talking. ALS is incurable, and over time, the muscles get weaker and become paralyzed.[*] National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registry. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/als/whatisals.aspx. Accessed July 17, 2017.

About Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is one of the nation’s largest and most trusted providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. An industry leader, the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.

Based in Jersey City, N.J., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation’s (MTPC) 100 percent owned U.S. holding company, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Holdings America, Inc. MTPA is dedicated to delivering innovative products that address the unmet medical needs of patients in the U.S. It was established by MTPC to commercialize approved pharmaceutical products in the U.S. with plans to expand its product line through collaborations with partners. For more information, please visit www.mt-pharma-america.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MTPharmaUS.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Before you receive RADICAVA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have asthma.
• are allergic to other medicines.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if RADICAVA will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if RADICAVA passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will receive RADICAVA or breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of RADICAVA?

• RADICAVA may cause serious side effects including hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions and sulfite allergic reactions.
• Hypersensitivity reactions have happened in people receiving RADICAVA and can happen after your infusion is finished.
• RADICAVA contains sodium bisulfite, a sulfite that may cause a type of allergic reaction that can be serious and life-threatening. Sodium bisulfite can also cause less severe asthma episodes in certain people. Sulfite sensitivity can happen more often in people who have asthma than in people who do not have asthma.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms: hives; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; fainting; breathing problems; wheezing; trouble swallowing; dizziness; itching; or an asthma attack (in people with asthma).
• Your healthcare provider will monitor you during treatment to watch for signs and symptoms of all the serious side effects.

The most common side effects of RADICAVA include bruising (contusion), problems walking (gait disturbance), and headache.

These are not all the possible side effects of RADICAVA. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. at 1-888-292-0058 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

For more information, including full Prescribing Information and Patient Information, please visit www.RADICAVA.com.

Patients Benefitted Significantly Overall, According to Results
Presented at NHIA Meeting

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., July 12, 2017 — Advanced heart failure patients who receive home infusion of inotropic therapy benefit from improved quality of life, according to Option Care research presented at the 2017 National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Annual Conference & Exposition.

Patients with advanced heart failure are prescribed intravenous (IV) inotropic therapy to help their hearts pump more efficiently while they await a heart transplant or mechanical circulatory support (MCS) or to help them spend their remaining days in greater comfort. Studies have shown inotropic therapy provided in the hospital or healthcare facility is effective, but there’s been limited research on home infusion of the treatment.

“Our study shows home inotropic therapy improved quality of life in advanced heart failure patients,”[*]Walther K, Artig-Brown T, et al. The impact of home infusion on quality of life in patients with heart failure receiving home inotropic therapy based on the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire. Poster presented at the 2017 National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Annual Conference & Exposition: May 22-25, 2017; Orlando. said Kyle Walther, PharmD, lead author of the study and Option Care pharmacy resident. “Because inotropic therapy typically is provided long-term, it’s invaluable that patients have the opportunity to receive this vital care in the comfort of their own homes, so they can continue to spend time with their families and enjoy the best quality of life.”

The study included 88 adult heart failure patients who filled out the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) before the start of inotropic infusion and three months after home infusion of the therapy.[*]Walther K, Artig-Brown T, et al. The impact of home infusion on quality of life in patients with heart failure receiving home inotropic therapy based on the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire. Poster presented at the 2017 National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Annual Conference & Exposition: May 22-25, 2017; Orlando. The MLHFQ measures the effect of heart failure on quality of life by asking patients 21 questions on issues ranging from shortness of breath to medical costs. A lower score indicates heart failure has less of an effect on the patient’s quality of life. Comparing MLHFQ results at the beginning of therapy to those after three months of therapy, researchers found that overall, there was an 8.65 percent improvement in scores among all patients, which was statistically significant. The MLHFQ scores showed home infusion of inotropic therapy was especially beneficial in reducing shortness of breath (17.13 percent improvement), hospital stays (17.65 percent improvement) and medical care cost (20.78 percent improvement).

Patients in the study received one of three types of inotropic medications: milrinone, dobutamine or dopamine. The medication was infused continuously 24 hours a day through an IV inserted in the chest or arm and stored in a small bag or fanny pack, allowing patients to be mobile. The medication was delivered to the home, and a home infusion nurse visited weekly to check the patient’s vitals, blood and infusion site and ensure the equipment was working effectively. Patients had 24/7 telephone access to pharmacists and nurses if they had questions or concerns. This high-touch care allows patients to receive help quickly, without having to wait for a response from their primary care provider or make a trip to the emergency room.

Home infusion is safe, effective and often less costly than inpatient care. For example, high-touch home infusion of inotropic medication featuring consistent clinical monitoring and support significantly reduces hospital admission rates, saving more than $17,000 per patient per year, according to Option Care research.[*]Meaux N. and Tatiel M. Hospital admission reductions among Stage D heart failure patients participating in a home inotropic infusion program. Poster presented at 7th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN): June 23-25, 2011; Seattle. However, an unintended consequence of the 21st Century Cures Act, passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law in December 2016, is the creation of a gap in Medicare coverage for home infusion of inotropic therapy, effectively taking away funding for patient access to high quality home infusion.

“Medicare pays for the care involved in providing infusion of inotropic therapy, but only if it’s provided in a hospital, nursing home or other health facility,” said Tess Artig-Brown BSN, MN, co-author of the poster and director of Option Care’s Heart Failure Program. “Few patients would choose to be in a facility receiving their care when they can be in their own homes, and our research suggests home infusion of inotropic therapy allows them to do that. Hopefully this will help draw attention to the benefits of improving patient access to high-quality home infusion.”

About Option Care
Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is one of the nation’s largest and most trusted providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. An industry leader, the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

Media Contact Information:
Lauren Kotarski
312-558-1770
LKotarski@pcipr.com
# # #

Anti-infective Home Infusion Patients Who Receive RN-provided Education  Less Likely to be Readmitted to Hospital, Experience Therapy Disruption,  Suggests Research Presented at NHIA Meeting

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., June 12, 2017 — Patients have better outcomes when provided IV antibiotics home infusion education prior to discharge from the hospital, suggests Option Care data presented at the 2017 National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Annual Conference & Exposition. Patients who received pre-discharge education from a registered nurse clinical liaison were less likely to experience disruptions in home infusion therapy, go to the emergency room or be readmitted to the hospital, the study found.

While hospitals provide general pre-discharge education, it typically covers everything related to leaving the hospital, including oral medications and follow-up appointments, and may only briefly address home infusion. Often the hospital nurse providing the education has limited knowledge of home infusion and therefore may not provide adequate information to prepare the patient. Conversely, a home infusion clinical liaison nurse visits the patient several days before the scheduled discharge to fully explain and demonstrate home infusion care and, when possible, makes additional visits to be sure questions are answered and all caregivers understand the directions.

“The home infusion clinical liaison really helps ease patients’ fears and better prepare them to comfortably and successfully receive home infusion,” said Nora Bondi, RN, lead author of the study and Option Care’s senior director of operations for North Carolina. “Clinical liaison pre-discharge education is a vital aspect of Option Care’s comprehensive high-touch, high-quality care, which helps ensure patients have more successful outcomes. “

The study compared outcomes of 60 patients who received pre-discharge education, to 37 patients who did not (patients sometimes are hospitalized briefly and released too quickly to receive pre-discharge education). [*]Bondi N and Stancil H. Pre-discharge education by registered nurse clinical liaison improves home infusion outcomes in adult intravenous IV antibiotics therapy patients. Poster presented at the 2017 National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Annual Conference & Exposition: May 22-25, 2017; Orlando.  Outcomes improved by 20 percent overall among patients who received pre-discharge education vs. those who did not. Specifically:

• Made after-hours calls (such as for technical questions/concerns related to therapy, pump or IV access) or experienced interruptions in therapy: 3 percent of patients who received pre-discharge education vs. 51 percent of those who did not.
• Readmitted to the hospital or visited the emergency room: 20 percent of patients who received pre-discharge education vs. 48 percent of those who did not.
• Completed therapy without intervention: 68 percent of patients who received pre-discharge education vs. 48 percent of those who did not.

Pre-discharge education provided by the home infusion clinical liaison nurse includes: demonstrating proper handwashing and clean technique for therapy administration in an effort to prevent infection; explaining appropriate care of the medication (such as refrigeration); showing how to care for the intravenous (IV) line and how to monitor for signs of infection; demonstrating how to flush the IV line; demonstrating the actual pump or device to be used in home infusion; and reviewing the medication schedule.

Anti-infectives — including antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals to treat a wide range of infections and infectious diseases — are the most common indication for home infusion therapy.

About Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is one of the nation’s largest and most trusted providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. An industry leader, the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

Media Contact Information:
Lauren Kotarski
312-558-1770
LKotarski@pcipr.com

# # #