What responsibility means to us...

Gastrointestinal (GI) therapies are a key focus for Shire. Our heritage in GI treatments is founded on providing a standard-of-care treatment for patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). Since 2010 when Shire acquired Movetis and its pipeline compounds, we also help patients with other GI diseases with a high unmet need, including Chronic Constipation (CC).

GI diseases affect millions of people, reducing quality of life for both patients and their families. These diseases also add to society’s overall healthcare costs. Finding new medicines will help reduce that burden. We are committed to providing new treatment options and working in partnership with physicians that make a real difference in the lives of patients with GI diseases.

Since 2006, we have partnered with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), the largest patient advocacy organization focused on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes UC and Crohn’s disease. In Europe, Shire has been corporate member of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation since 2005.

In recent years, Shire has also further expanded its advocacy relationships with groups such as the IBD Support Foundation and The Foundation for Clinical Research in IBD.

• Supported World IBD Day on May 19 to help raise awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease , which includes Crohn’s disease and UC. 
• Sponsored World Digestive Health Day to draw attention to the importance of addressing GI symptoms from heartburn to constipation.
• Raised $47,000 through The Annual Shire Charity Golf Outing which was split equally between the Philadelphia chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), which is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and Camp Oasis, a network of summer camps across the United States where children with IBD can have fun, heal and learn in a supportive community.
• Helped raise €10.000 at the United European Gastro Week (UEGW) in October 2012, we which was donated to the following patient organisations:
  • Crohn & Colitis Ulcerosa Vereniging (CCV) VZW Belgium
  • EFCCA – European Federation of Crohn’s and Colitis Associations
• Hosted European medical press at briefing meetings at UEGW and later in Brussels, where the results of an international study revealing a patient/healthcare professional (HCP) disconnect regarding the burden in ulcerative colitis (UC).
• Served as a national sponsor of the CCFA’s 2012 “Take Steps” walk program for the fourth consecutive year, supporting 50 walks in local cities across the United States. The walks bring together people from across the country to pledge their commitment to the fight against IBD in a fun and energetic atmosphere.
• Continued our support of the CCFA’s annual “IBD Day on the Hill,” where more than 100 people with IBD gather at Capitol Hill to lobby for legislation.
• Continued our support of MyIBD’s “Advances in IBD” local patient education events in select markets across the United States, reaching 100-150 IBD patients per event.

• Continue research programs to provide scientific and health economic evidence of the impact of CC and UC on people’s lives.

• Further educate society on CC in order to change the perception of the disease among all audiences and drive conversation about CC through the launch of Chronic Constipation disease awareness websites in different European countries and the implementation of patient support programs.