Aranesp

The ESA APPRISE Oncology Program is part of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started. It has determined that REMS are necessary for ESAs to be sure that the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks of shortened overall survival and/or increased risk of tumor progression or recurrence as shown in clinical studies in patients with breast, non-small cell lung, head and neck, lymphoid, and cervical cancers. The ESA APPRISE Oncology Program addresses those who are to receive an ESA for the Treatment of Anemia in patients with cancer and patients on Chemotherapy.

ESA is an erythropoiesis stimulating agent. These drugs are Procrit (epoetin alfa), Epogen (epoetin alfa), or Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa).

The Procrit/ Epogen/ ESA APPRISE QUESTIONNAIRE must be completed by a physician, nurse, or pharmacist prior to dispensing the drug. The completion of the questionnaire insures that the patient has been educated about these medications and has been informed of the advantages and disadvantages of these drugs. The ESA APPRISE Oncology Program is part of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started. It has determined that REMS are necessary for ESAs to be sure that the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks of shortened overall survival and/or increased risk of tumor progression or recurrence as shown in clinical studies in patients with breast, non-small cell lung, head and neck, lymphoid, and cervical cancers. The ESA APPRISE Oncology Program addresses those who are to receive an ESA for the Treatment of Anemia in patients with cancer and patients on Chemotherapy.

ESA is an erythropoiesis stimulating agent. These drugs are Procrit (epoetin alfa), Epogen (epoetin alfa), or Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa).

The Procrit/ Epogen/ ESA APPRISE QUESTIONNAIRE must be completed by a physician, nurse, or pharmacist prior to dispensing the drug. The completion of the questionnaire insures that the patient has been educated about these medications and has been informed of the advantages and disadvantages of these drugs.