To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Arthritis Foundation and McNeil Consumer Products Implement New Program URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/C9EA.htm Doctor's Guide September 26, 1996
ATLANTA, Sept. 26, 1996 -- The Arthritis Foundation and McNeil Consumer Products Company, maker of TYLENOL(R) (acetaminophen), announced today that they will implement a new program that directly supports the Foundation's mission through the year 2000. The program provides support in vital areas of arthritis education and research, including establishment of an annual grant designated for quality of life research projects. Under the terms of the new agreement, McNeil and the Arthritis Foundation will develop jointly sponsored programs designed to educate medical professionals, people with arthritis and their families on the proper care and treatment of the disease. McNeil will contribute $1.3 million annually to support the programs, including annual grants of $225,000 to be used in support of Foundation peer-reviewed quality of life research projects. Quality of life research is research related to the management and health care delivery of adults and children with arthritis and related rheumatic diseases. The remaining funds will be an unrestricted contribution. "Current figures show that nearly 40 million Americans are affected by arthritis. That number is expected to reach nearly 60 million by the year 2020," said Jerry G. Langley, Arthritis Foundation chair. "The education and research support provided by McNeil as part of the new program is essential to the Arthritis Foundation's efforts to meet the challenges of the future." Approximately 17 percent of Arthritis Foundation-funded research falls into the category of quality of life research. A significant number of applications from scientists for research funding in the category remains unfunded due to lack of resources. The McNeil-sponsored grants will allow the Foundation to increase funding in this crucial area and help to address the following objectives: (1) reduce preventable pain and disability; (2) assist individuals with arthritis to develop or access the resources to cope with their disease; and (3) cultivate family, peer and community support for those affected by the disease. The Arthritis Foundation has special committees, made up of scientists with a wide range of expertise, that review all research grant applications. These Committees rate each application and provide the ratings to the Foundation's Research Committee which includes scientific experts and volunteers. The Research Committee determines how the funds will be allocated. With the new TYLENOL(R) program in place, the Arthritis Foundation and McNeil will terminate a previous agreement, implemented in 1994, which led to the introduction of a line of over-the-counter pain medication called Arthritis Foundation(TM) Pain Relievers. The product line included acetaminophen, ibuprofen, enteric-coated aspirin and a nighttime formula acetaminophen. Royalties from sales of the products provided a minimum of $1 million per year to the Foundation to be used exclusively to fund approved arthritis research projects. Each person who purchased Arthritis Foundation(TM) Pain Relievers was offered a free, one-year membership in the Foundation and a free subscription to its consumer magazine, 'Arthritis Today'. The offer was highlighted in a letter included in all product packaging. Packaging and promotion of the products stressed the importance of taking control of arthritis with the help of the Arthritis Foundation. "We are very pleased with the results from the Arthritis Foundation(TM) Pain Relievers project," Langley said. "Additional funding for arthritis research increased, awareness of the organization increased, memberships increased and vital messages for people with arthritis have been successfully conveyed." The Arthritis Foundation(TM) Pain Relievers product line met important objectives for both the Arthritis Foundation and McNeil. However, the products failed to achieve sales objectives set by McNeil. As the manufacturer and marketer of the products, McNeil has decided to discontinue the product line. "The introduction of Arthritis Foundation(TM) Pain Relievers allowed the Foundation to explore what proved to be an effective new way of communicating our messages and raising funds. However, we recognize the project as a business initiative for McNeil and respect their decision," Langley added. "The new TYLENOL(R) program is further evidence of McNeil's continuing commitment to supporting the Arthritis Foundation's mission. It is our hope that McNeil will be recognized for this commitment and that other companies will follow their excellent example." The Arthritis Foundation, headquartered in Atlanta, is the only national, voluntary health association seeking the causes, cures, preventions and treatments for the more than 100 forms of arthritis. The Foundation has more than 150 chapters and service points nationwide to provide community-based programs and raise funds. McNeil Consumer Products Company is a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, and is headquartered in Fort Washington, Pa. Johnson & Johnson is the world's largest and most comprehensive manufacturer of health-care products. Arthritis Foundation/McNeil (TYLENOL(R)) Program Fact Sheet -- The Arthritis Foundation and McNeil Consumer Products Company, maker of TYLENOL(R) (acetaminophen), are implementing a new program that directly supports the Foundation's mission through the year 2000. The program provides support in vital areas of arthritis education and research, including the establishment of annual grants designated for quality of life research projects; that is, research related to the management and health care delivery of adults and children with arthritis and related rheumatic diseases. -- McNeil will contribute $1.3 million annually to the Arthritis Foundation to support Foundation programs, including annual grants of $225,000 to be used in the support of Foundation peer-reviewed quality of life research projects. -- Approximately 17 percent of Arthritis Foundation-funded research falls into the category of quality of life research. The research addresses the following objectives: (1) reduce preventable pain and disability; (2) assist individuals with arthritis to develop or access the resources to cope with their disease; and (3) cultivate family, peer and community support for people with arthritis. A significant number of quality of life research applications to the Foundation remain unfunded due to lack of resources. The McNeil-sponsored grants allow the Foundation to increase funding in this vital area. -- The Arthritis Foundation has special committees, made up of scientists with a wide range of expertise, that peer review grant applications. These committees rate the applications and provide these ratings to the Foundation's Research Committee, which includes scientific experts and volunteers. This Research Committee determines how best to spend the Foundation's research funds. -- The Arthritis Foundation will receive a charitable contribution from McNeil in this program which will not be dependent on product sales or other business initiatives. The Foundation will use the funds contributed by McNeil for research and the development and operation of vital education and service programs. -- The new program, funded by McNeil (TYLENOL(R)), has been established to replace components related to the agreement between McNeil and the Arthritis Foundation which led to the introduction of Arthritis Foundation(TM) Pain Relievers in October 1994. McNeil has decided to discontinue the product line because the products have failed to achieve sales objectives. -- The new McNeil (TYLENOL(R)) program is further evidence of McNeil's continuing commitment to supporting the Arthritis Foundation's mission. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.