ALISO VIEJO, Calif.,
May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- Legendary actor and director Danny
Glover joins Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a new PBAFacts
campaign designed to educate and encourage patients with neurologic
conditions, and their caregivers, to learn more about Pseudobulbar
Affect (PBA) and to speak with their physician. The campaign hinges
on the idea that an actor has the ability to cry and laugh on cue
and how that contrasts with the lack of control experienced by
people living with PBA episodes.
While PBA is not well known, an estimated two million Americans
suffer from PBA, a neurologic condition characterized by
uncontrollable, sudden outbursts of crying and/or laughing that
usually don't match what the person is feeling on the inside. PBA
occurs in people with brain injuries or certain neurologic
conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke or multiple
sclerosis (MS). That's why it is so important for consumers
to learn that there is a name for this neurologic condition and
that it is treatable.
"Sudden outbursts of crying or laughing can be a sign of fine
acting. But for some, it could be a sign of PBA," said Danny Glover.
"We believe Mr. Glover's ability to 'act' PBA outbursts of
crying and laughing will increase understanding and help
undiagnosed people recognize their symptoms and inspire them to
learn more," said Rohan Palekar,
executive vice president and chief operating officer of Avanir
Pharmaceuticals. "What's more, Mr. Glover's respected status lends
dignity to a condition that many sufferers find embarrassing."
The new campaign featuring Danny
Glover can be seen on TV, print and digital ads as well as
in print materials. It is also featured on PBAFacts.com, an
educational website that explains the science of PBA, has videos
from doctors and a PBA assessment that patients can share with
their doctor.
About PBA
PBA is a neurologic condition characterized
by uncontrollable, disruptive laughing and/or crying outbursts that
are often contrary or exaggerated to the patient's inner mood
state. As a result, many of those afflicted with PBA show
significant impairment on standard measures of health status, and
impairments in occupational and social function, often leading to
social isolation. PBA occurs secondary to a variety of neurologic
conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple sclerosis
(MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's
disease, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. When these disorders
damage areas of the brain that regulate normal emotional
expression, they can lead to uncontrollable, disruptive episodes of
crying or laughing. For more information about PBA, please
visit www.PBAFacts.com.
About Danny Glover
Actor, producer and humanitarian Danny
Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage and
television for more than 25 years. Glover's film credits
range from noted movie roles in Color Purple, Witness, and
the blockbuster Lethal Weapon franchise to smaller
independent features, some of which Glover also produced. Glover
has also gained respect for his wide-reaching community activism
and philanthropic efforts, with a particular emphasis on advocacy
for economic justice, and access to health care and education
programs in the United States and
Africa.
About Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Avanir
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
bringing innovative medicines to patients with central nervous
system disorders of high unmet medical need. As part of our
commitment, we have extensively invested in our pipeline and are
dedicated to advancing medicines that can substantially improve the
lives of patients and their loved ones. For more information about
Avanir, please visit http://www.avanir.com.
Avanir is a subsidiary of Otsuka
America, Inc. (OAI), a holding company established in the
U.S. in 1989. OAI is wholly owned by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.,
Ltd., a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy:
"Otsuka-people creating new products for better health
worldwide."
Otsuka Pharmaceutical is a leading firm in the challenging area
of mental health and also has products and research programs for
several under-addressed diseases including tuberculosis, a
significant global public health issue. These commitments
illustrate more powerfully than words how Otsuka is a "big venture"
company at heart, applying a youthful spirit of creativity in
everything it does.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical and its affiliates employ approximately
30,000 people globally, and the company welcomes you to visit its
global website at: http://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/index.php.
Avanir® is a trademark or registered trademark of Avanir
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United
States and other countries.
©2015 Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Avanir Media Contact
Ian
Clements, PhD
media.relations@avanir.com
+1 (949) 389-6700
BrewLife Media Contact
Kelly
France, PhD
kfrance@brewlife.com
+1 (415) 946-1076
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SOURCE Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.