Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Establishes Landmark Patient Assistance Foundation

Organization offsets rising drug costs with funding from pharmaceutical manufacturers

November 13, 2008

(Bethesda, M.D.) The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation today announced the launch of a Cystic Fibrosis Patient Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit subsidiary that will help patients pay for certain high-cost medications they cannot afford.

All funds to support patients will be provided exclusively by pharmaceutical manufacturers. No dollars donated to the CF Foundation will be used for patient assistance. CF Foundation donations will continue to support research for a cure.

“Treatment costs are escalating beyond many cystic fibrosis patients’ ability to pay,” said Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Foundation. “Thanks to remarkable advances in research and care, people with CF are living into their 40s, 50s and beyond. Our challenge now is to make sure people can afford the advanced treatments we are working so hard to develop.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Patient Assistance Foundation is a first-of-its kind service dedicated solely for people with CF. It will help patients pay for essential, FDA-approved therapies for the treatment of lung disease. For information on the program, go to www.cfpaf.org or call (888) 315-4154.

While 99 percent of people with cystic fibrosis have health insurance, increasingly patients are struggling to afford treatments because their coverage is not adequate. In fact, one in four CF patients report they skipped doses of medicine or purposefully took smaller doses in the past year because of the cost. Nearly one in five have delayed seeking care for the same reason.

The average annual cost for CF treatment is about $43,000.

To receive financial assistance, CF patients need to meet certain eligibility criteria. The criteria was established by a separate board that oversees the Cystic Fibrosis Patient Assistance Foundation. Operation of the organization is contingent on continued funding from pharmaceutical manufacturers.

About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to curing and controlling cystic fibrosis. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation has more than 80 chapters and branch offices throughout the country and supports and accredits a nationwide network of 115 care centers. For more information, visit www.cff.org.

Media Contact

• Laurie Fink, Director of Media Relations (301) 841-2602