Over 20,000 members enrolled since launch in 2001
Manama, March 15th, 2006: XeniCare Support Program, the weight loss program developed by Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., is going stronger than ever with its members reaching up to over 20,000 since it launch in 2001.
The growth is attributed to the high satisfaction rate among its members in a recent survey done on XeniCare services to members. An improved version of the Xenicare Support Kit, which was launched last year, prompted more encouragement from members to know more about the program.
The XeniCare Support Kit includes information and assistance for people who take XENICAL for weight loss. Based on feedback received from members of the XeniCare Support Program, the new kit is designed to contain more information to help new and existing XeniCare members understand the mechanics of losing weight and keeping it off in the long term.
Some 90% of Xenical patients surveyed said that they found that the booklets they receive on healthy eating was very helpful to them in setting and achieving realistic weight loss goals. Keeping that in mind, Roche was able to put together an interactive CD-ROM providing information on healthy cooking habits, recipes for healthy eating and valuable insights into weight loss techniques.
Also included in the kit is a colour-coded measuring tape, which provides an easy guide to visualising weight loss, and a pillbox, so members can take their daily dose of XENICAL wherever they go.
"One of the most important aspects of any weight loss regime is the need for a support structure and the XeniCare program is exclusively committed to providing Xenical patients with as many resources and as much positive reinforcement as possible, to help them achieve their weight loss goals," says Rima Khadra, Product Manager, Hoffmann-La Roche, "The contents of the new kit have been selected and designed especially, based on the preferences of the members themselves, which we feel is the key to providing the most constructive support."
With over 20,000 members in the Gulf, the XeniCare Support Program is an integral part of Roche's commitment to providing healthcare solutions which stretch beyond medication alone, to help patients make overall sustainable lifestyle changes.
A key feature of the XeniCare Support Program is its toll-free line, Bahrain 80 000 559, which provides information and encouragement for members as they progress through their weight loss regime. Hotlines are also available in other Gulf countries: Kuwait 431 5031, UAE 800-4415, Qatar 4367 940 and Oman 2471 5144.
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About XENICALXENICAL is the most extensively studied pharmacological weight management treatment to date. It is the only available weight loss medication that works locally in the gut to prevent dietary fat absorption by around 30 per cent to effectively promote weight loss. It is an effective therapy that not only helps patients lose weight, but also helps them maintain their weight loss. XENICAL is well tolerated and unlike appetite suppressants, it does not act on the brain. Since it was first marketed in 1998, there have been more than 22 million people treated with XENICAL worldwide.
About XeniCareTM Support Program
Roche has developed XeniCareTM Support Program which aims to help people using XENICAL set and reach realistic weight goals while modifying their dietary intake and behaviour in the long-term.
The program is individually tailored to help people achieve their weight loss goals, and maintain weight loss, through healthy eating, physical activity, behaviour modification and pharmacotherapy. Roche provides free support programmes in around 50 countries worldwide to help people taking XENICAL.
A key feature of the XeniCare Support Program is its toll-free line, 80 000 559, which provides information and encouragement for members as they progress through their weight loss regime. Hotlines are also available in other Gulf countries: Kuwait 461 0701, Qatar 4367 940, UAE 800 4415 and Oman 2471 5144.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-orientated healthcare groups in the field of obesity. Roche's innovative products and services address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing people's well-being and quality of life.
Melina Mitri/Mathew Pearman
ASDA'A - a public relations consultancy
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© Press Release 2006
