Yesterday, the FDA approved a generic version of Flolan, the intravenous treatment for primary pulmonary hypertension. Flolan is prodcued by GlaxoSmithKline and earned about $80million in sales during the past twelve months.A recent publication stated, “Petah Tikva-based Teva received approval for its epoprostenol, the first generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Flolan for Injection. Teva’s approval is for the 0.5 mg base/vial and 1.5 mg base/vial strengths as well as the sterile diluent.”The more affordable generic drug is expected the break barriers for PPH patients who could not meet the financial demands of Flolan. Like Flolan, the generic drug must be constantly administered, as each dose’s effects last only a few minutes.

This coming fall, “The Global Learning Series” will feature a television program about the heart and, specifically, Primary Arterial Hypertension. The show, “Understanding the Heart,” will be a hybrid production: part public-service announcement, part educational programming, part scientific documentary.
“We will bring greater understanding of PAH to the global medical and patient community, with a special care and sensitivity towards people with PAH or those who know someone with PAH, empowering them to take action regarding treatment,” said John McGuire, Executive Producer of Programming for “The Global Learning Series.”
The full press release can be found here.

For the past 12 years, Monica Sanchez of Whittier, California has been classified as terminally ill. For the past 11, she has had three generations of medication pumps with catheters hooked into her chest, pumping a drug 24/7. For the past 7, she has been on a waiting list for a double-lung transplant.

But Monica has not let these stipulations slow her down. She leads a full life and most recently, she has opened a candy store that has garnered the attention of the Style Network and ABC-TV.

Monica’s life has been full of twists and turns. At age 16, she became unexpectedly pregnant. Five months in, she became seriously ill and had trouble breathing. Not much later, the child was taken by Caesarian section but did not survive. Doctors thought Monica’s life was also on the line, and her entire family came to say goodbye to her. She fought through the odds and survived, while doctors discovered that Monica suffers from primary pulmonary hypertension. They told her that she would have died from a heart attack at a young age had the PPH not been discovered because of her pregnancy. “There’s always a reason for everything,” said Monica.

Now, Monica lives independently in California. Her candy store, Village Sweets, has become a popular hangout for teenagers in Whittier. In fact, the Style Network noticed its popularity and rewarded Monica with a store makeover and a new look for herself. The results were televised this past Saturday.

As she has gotten older, more has been revealed about the 28-year-old’s condition. At UCLA, an angiogram revealed heart defects that caused blood to flow in the wrong direction, resulting in insufficient blood getting to her lungs. Because of this, Monica must walk slowly, refrain from heavy lifting, and pause for 10 seconds every step up a staircase. The catheter she wears sometimes causes infection, resulting in hospitalization and life-threatening ordeals. Monica said each vial costs $7,000 and she changes them three times daily. The costs have been overwhelming, but insurance and public assistance have helped her survive. Monica says she also owes so much to her “amazing doctor,” Shelley Shapiro, a nationally recognized HHP specialist at UCLA.

Read the rest of Monica’s story here.

Koryn M. Badman, 15 years old, passed away on April 2^nd after a long battle with primary pulmonary hypertension. A sophomore at Moravia High School, Koryn was a member of the cheerleading squad and former member of Brownies and Girl Scouts.

People remember Koryn as an enthusiastic, motivated young woman. Despite her illness, she remained active. Her principal, Brian Morgan, described Koryn as someone who was “full of life,” adding, “We’re saddened about it, but we’ll keep her memory alive and well here. People think very highly of her, and her spirit will live on.”

Over the next few weeks, Koryn’s classmates will be celebrating her life and keeping her memory alive. Furthermore, her sophomore class will be brainstorming ideas to memorialize her over the next few weeks, so that she can be remembered in the best way possible.

The third and final chapter of Susie Dodson’s battle with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

When Susie is faced with this life-threatening disease, she and her husband do everything they can to make sure she ended up in the best hands.

In 1996, Gary Farmer, then 45, was diagnosed with a terminal illness and told that he had only two to five years to live. Since then, Farmer has not only beaten the odds but has discovered artistic talents he never knew he possessed. Read more here.

Farmer was diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension and was fitted with a pump that directed medicine to his chest along with a catheter. By 2003, he was taken off the pump and given the drug Tracleer, which at the time was still in a clinical trial phase. Finally, after several months, the doctors removed the catheter. Farmer said he immediately ran “straight to the beach and jumped into the water” – for the first time in eight years.

Over the course of the disease, Farmer began creating three-dimensional paintings with tropical themes, because he was tired of “waiting around to die.” Today, Farmer owns a shop in Boca Raton, Florida where he cuts out pieces for his art and paints at home so he can rest when he gets tired. His paintings are in homes and businesses in almost every state and have been featured on HGTV.

As Farmer says, “If it weren’t for my illness, I would never have started my painting. It was a blessing in disguise. I plan on painting as long as I can.”

To see Gary’s artwork, visit his website.

The second part of Susie Dodson’s battle with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The physicians at UAB save Susie’s life with a series of investigational, breakthrough medical treatments. The Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic at UAB is one of the preeminent clinics of its type in the country.

Watch this video chronicling Susie Dodson’s experience with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Diagnosed in 2000, Susie has been coping with the rare heart-lung disorder ever since. Tomorrow, we will feature the second part of Susie’s story.