SAN FRANCISCO and MORRISTOWN, N.J.: Medicines360, a mission-driven nonprofit women’s health pharmaceutical organization, and HRA Pharma, a global consumer healthcare company, announced today that the two organizations are partnering to support U.S. publicly funded family planning clinics’ access to prescription emergency contraceptive ulipristal acetate (UPA), commonly known in the U.S. as ella®.
HRA Pharma first launched ella®, a selective progesterone receptor modulator, in 2009 in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom before it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for marketing in the U.S. in 2010. It is now marketed in 68 countries worldwide. Medicines360 will leverage its deep expertise in the U.S. public health system and longstanding engagement of healthcare safety-net clinics that focus on the nation’s most vulnerable patients to support equitable access to this important emergency contraception option for women in the U.S.
“Our two organizations share a fundamental commitment to removing barriers that prevent women from accessing the critical medicines they need. By working to directly support the supply of affordable, accessible health products within communities most in need, this partnership allows us yet another opportunity to take action that can improve health outcomes and close equity gaps for women,” said Andrea Olariu, MD, PhD, interim CEO of Medicines360.
Bradley Meeks, President of HRA Pharma America, says, “HRA Pharma’s partnership with Medicines360 is an exciting achievement for us, and will be a real turning point in the way in which vulnerable patients access ella® in the U.S. Increasing the accessibility of emergency contraception is a key priority for HRA Pharma that will benefit not only the contraceptive market in the U.S., but will also empower all women across the country to take control over their bodies.”
About Medicines360
Medicines360, located in San Francisco, California, is a nonprofit global women’s health pharmaceutical organization with a mission to remove cost as a barrier to health by developing and providing affordable Women’s Health products. Medicines360 is committed to working with healthcare providers, advocacy groups and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help women around the world have greater access to the medicines they need. For more information, visit www.medicines360.org
About HRA Pharma
HRA Pharma is a fast growing, innovative consumer healthcare company, empowering people throughout the world to improve their lives by developing accessible, value added, self-care solutions. The brand portfolio has continued to grow with a range of high-quality products in the area of consumer healthcare with a short and impressive timeframe.
Historically centered on women’s health, the company has continued to grow and has now become the European leader in emergency contraception. Its focus on RX to OTC Switches has seen the company grow in both strength and brand by being agile and innovative in its approach. HRA Pharma is committed to bringing a range of innovative products and services to market, particularly in areas of unmet customer needs. Headquartered in Paris, France with subsidiaries across Western Europe and a global network of local partners covering over 90 countries, the company has a proven structure, the skills and experience to capture new consumer healthcare businesses and deliver high quality brands on a global scale.
Visit www.hra-pharma.com for more information.
