Osteoporosis

Our products in this therapeutic area give physicians treatment options for a global disease that is a significant burden on the individual patient as well as on society as a whole.

A global health issue

Osteoporosis is an imbalance in the natural process of removing old bone (resorption) and the formation of new bone, usually caused by hormonal changes or a deficiency of calcium or vitamin D. This leads to increased bone fragility and increased risk of fracture – particularly of the hip, spine and wrist. Estimates suggest that osteoporosis affects one in three women and one in five men over fifty. Each year, doctors in the EU alone treat approximately one million patients for osteoporosis. Risk factors include age, gender, body weight, family history and lifestyle.

Easing patients’ suffering

According to clinical studies, patients can reduce the dangers of osteoporosis by taking daily calcium and vitamin D supplements. These help to maintain bone density and reduce the rate of osteoporosis-related bone loss. Treating osteoporosis with Calcium D3 not only helps the patient, but may also reduce the economic costs to society of the condition. Treatment with parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the only treatment that can rebuild lost bone and increase bone strength in patients with severe osteoporosis – thereby reducing the risk of fractures.