http://news.excite.com/news/pr/011026/ma-biogen-ms-travlrs
Fri, Oct 26 12:59 PM EDT
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/
-- Biogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:BGEN) today announced that new Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) guidelines for people traveling with multiple sclerosis
(MS) medications and syringes are now available on MSActiveSource,
an online resource for the MS community.
Intensified airline security in the
aftermath of the tragic events of September 11 has caused changes in policies
regarding carrying medication and injection systems onboard airline carriers.
Biogen officials have spoken with representatives from the FAA and the
most up-to-date information about security screening procedures and traveling
with MS medications in carry-on luggage has now been posted on MSActiveSource.
People with MS are advised to check the site frequently, as policies
may change. They are also advised to contact their specific airline carriers
directly.
"Importantly, people with MS should
know that they can still travel with their medication and injection systems
in their carry-on luggage as advised, provided they follow the new FAA
guidelines," said James C. Mullen, Biogen's President and Chief Executive
Officer. "We are pleased to offer MSActiveSource.com as a resource for
all people with MS planning to board an airplane in the near future."
This information is particularly
timely as many people with MS prepare to travel to New Orleans, LA, for
the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's (NMSS) Annual Leadership Conference
taking place October 30 -- November 2, 2001. According to the NMSS, over
800 people from across the country are expected to attend the meeting.
For more information, call 1-800-FIGHTMS.
MSActiveSource -- An Online Multiple
Sclerosis Resource and Community
MSActiveSource is a comprehensive
Internet site for people living with multiple sclerosis, their friends
and families, and healthcare professionals. The site, launched earlier
this year, offers personalized support and in-depth information to help
better understand and manage the physical and emotional challenges of MS.
Site members are provided a broad selection of resources, including disease
information, comprehensive news, community, and the latest research studies
that are improving doctors' understanding of MS.
MSActiveSource is composed of
several one-of-a-kind elements, including the MS Learning System(TM), an
interactive multimedia learning tool that takes people with MS and their
families through a series of educational modules to help them better understand
and cope with the disease. The site also hosts an "Ask the Expert" column
featuring leading neurologists specializing in MS treatment and articles
designed to help people with MS better understand and manage their disease.
Another interactive component of the site is the "MS Experience Exchange"
which provides a forum for sharing thoughts and ideas between others affected
by the disease. The MS News section of the site is updated daily with articles
from a syndicated network of nearly 3,000 publications.
For people without Internet access
-- or those who prefer to speak to someone by telephone -- Biogen continues
to provide support through the ActiveSource(SM) support line Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. -- 8 p.m. EST at 800-456-2255.
Biogen, Inc., winner of the U.S.
National Medal of Technology, is a biopharmaceutical company principally
engaged in discovering and developing drugs for human healthcare through
genetic engineering. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, the Company's revenues
are generated from international sales of AVONEX(R) (Interferon beta-1a)
for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, and from the worldwide
sales by licensees of a number of products, including alpha interferon
and hepatitis B vaccines and diagnostic products. Biogen's research and
development activities are focused on novel products to treat inflammatory
and autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, cancer, fibrosis and congestive
heart failure. The Company maintains active clinical research programs
in protein therapeutics, small molecules, genomics and gene therapy. For
copies of press releases and additional information about the Company,
please consult Biogen's Homepage on the World Wide Web at http://www.biogen.com
.
©2001 At Home Corporation