“Migraine Calculator” Shows Benefits Of Treating Employee Migraines
Today, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) unveiled a new “Migraine Calculator” at the Institute for Health and Productivity Management conference in Orlando, Florida. The calculator is a web-based tool designed to help employers estimate the incidence of migraine, its impact on their work force, and the potential net savings of helping employees get treatment.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) March 10, 2005
Today, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) unveiled a new “Migraine Calculator” at the Institute for Health and Productivity Management conference in Orlando, Florida. The calculator is a web-based tool designed to help employers estimate the incidence of migraine, its impact on their work force, and the potential net savings of helping employees get treatment. The calculator is available at http://www. migrainecalculator. com (http://www. migrainecalculator. com).
“Migraines rob millions of Americans of the ability to live normal lives and to do their work,” said Billy Tauzin, PhRMA President and CEO. “Treatments needed to end the suffering and give people their lives back are readily available. The migraine calculator lets employers see how they can boost productivity by helping employees suffering from migraines get the treatment they need,” added Mr. Tauzin.
The Migraine Calculator, or Productivity Impact Model (PMI), was developed by The HSM Group, Ltd., a health care consulting firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona, with support from PhRMA. The calculator estimates the incidence of migraine and its impact on a companyÂ’s work force, based on the companyÂ’s size, type of industry, location and the age and gender of employees. It computes the expected number of days each year that employees will be absent or suffer low productivity due to migraine and calculates the associated cost to the business. It also projects the potential net savings the company can expect, after considering the cost of treatment, if employees obtain treatment.
Approximately 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches, mostly affecting 30-49-year-olds, who are in their peak working years. Women are three times more likely than men to suffer from migraines. The disabling symptoms of migraines cost employers around $13 billion annually in missed days and lower workplace productivity.
“This new easy to use Internet-based migraine calculator integrates extensive research findings from peer-reviewed literature and turns them into useable results for employers. It’s an important tool that allows employers to see the whole picture on the economics and value of getting patients with migraines needed treatment,” said Sheryl Bronkesh, president of The HSM Group, Ltd. “Basically, the calculator allows employers to see a snapshot of the potential financial benefits for their company if they assist their employees who are battling migraines.”
A variety of treatment options to relieve migraines now exist. For example, studies show that one class of medicines called “Triptans” is very effective in relieving migraine symptoms and increasing productivity. Other available treatments include ergot alkaloids, opiates, prophylactic medications, prescription and non-prescription-strength NSAIDs.
Migraine headaches can cause intense pulsing and throbbing pain, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and in some cases, even speech and visual disturbances and can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. It is estimated that migraine sufferers will miss at least one day of work or school every three months. In addition to absenteeism, 51 percent reported that work or school productivity was at least reduced by half.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the countryÂ’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA members invested an estimated $38.8 billion in 2004 in discovering and developing new medicines. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures.
PhRMA Internet Address: http://www. phrma. org (http://www. phrma. org)
For more information on how innovative medicines are saving lives visit: http://www. innovation. org/ (http://www. innovation. org/)
Contact:
Herma Percy-McDaniel, Ph. D.
(202) 835-3460 or (202) 253-7936
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