October 25, 2000
Contact:
Catherine Jackson
SmithKline Beecham
905-829-6780
Contact:
Dr. Mandar Jog
Director, Movement Disorders Program,
LHSC
519-663-3814
http://mdc.lhsc.on.ca
SmithKline Beecham and the London Health Sciences Centre today announced the creation of a Fellowship in Movement Disorders
(LONDON, Ontario) SmithKline Beecham and London Health Science Centre announced today financial support for a fellowship within the Movement Disorders Program under the direction of Dr. Mandar Jog. The Fellowship will allow for additional education and training for a neurologist who desires to stay in Canada while studying and treating patients suffering from specific neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s Disease).
The first recipient of the SmithKline Beecham fellowship will be Dr. Chris Hyson. Dr. Hyson is the Chief Neurology resident at London Health Sciences Centre and The University of Western Ontario. Prior to his arrival in London in 1996, Dr. Hyson attended Dalhousie University Medical School in Halifax, N.S. He has a particular professional interest in movement disorders, medical ethics, clinical pharmacology, and chronic pain management.
The Movement Disorders Program is an integrated neurology/neurosurgery research and treatment facility that offers a multidisciplinary approach to movement disorders, including speech & language pathology, neuropsychology and physical therapies. In addition to basic science and clinical research the centre is involved in numerous clinical trials. In order to serve the varied patient population, three highly specialized clinics focusing on Huntington’s disease, pediatric movement disorders and a neuropsychiatric movement disorders have been established.
In addition to writing a Movement Disorders Handbook for the physician, Dr. Jog has developed an extensive web-based movement disorders clinical text and video database. Dr. Jog feels strongly that "the continuation and expansion of the Movement Disorders Program will have a direct impact on patient care in southern and western Ontario. The establishment of a Movement Disorders Fellowship to train and retain highly qualified personnel is integral to the vision of comprehensive care for our patients."
Eddie Gray, President of SmithKline Beecham Canada, confirms the company’s support of the program. "We are pleased to be able to support the efforts of Dr. Jog and the Movement Disorders Program. It is our hope that Dr. Hyson will be able to develop and deliver enhanced patient care programs to those living and coping with these neurological disorders."
SmithKline Beecham is the manufacturer of ReQuip, a non-ergot dopamine agonist that is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease. A five-year study published in the May 18 2000 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that ReQuip significantly reduces the incidence of motor fluctuations (particularly dyskinesias, which are involuntary movements) in Parkinson patients in comparison to levodopa, when used either as monotherapy or in combination with levodopa. The study further showed that this reduction in motor complications comes with equal efficacy (in terms of Activities of Daily Living) to levodopa.
ReQuip was licensed by Health Canada in August 1997 and has been available in Canada since September of that year.
SmithKline Beecham Pharma, and its shareholders are committed to the research and development of innovative medicines to satisfy Canadians' demand for exceptional healthcare. By ensuring patients' access to, and optimal utilization of its products, SmithKline Beecham will grow its business by delivering value to participants within the Canadian healthcare system. SB’s therapeutic areas include psychiatric disorders, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, vaccines, cancer treatments, shingles, herpes, infectious diseases and arthritis.
