Wednesday, May 27, 2009

New Survey Highlights Growing Concern About Risk of Infection in Cancer Patients and Emerging Antibiotic Resistance

Amgen, CDC Foundation and CDC Partner to Launch Three-Year Initiative to Improve Infection Control in Vulnerable Cancer Patient Population

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – May 27, 2009 – Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced the results of a national Harris Interactive, Inc. survey indicating that the vast majority of oncologists and infectious disease (ID) specialists are highly concerned about the negative impact infection may have on treatment outcomes in chemotherapy patients, as well as emerging antibiotic resistance. Nearly all oncologists surveyed (92 percent) believe it is important for cancer patients to prevent infections to achieve successful treatment outcomes. Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern among the majority of physicians surveyed, with 96 percent of ID specialists and 79 percent of oncologists reporting an increase in antibiotic-resistant infections in cancer patients over the past five years. Both groups of physicians report methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections as the most commonly observed in chemotherapy patients.

Posted in Press Releases