Summer of TAG Educational Tour to Promote Allergy Awareness in Vancouver and Edmonton

KIRKLAND, QC, May 7, 2015 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada Inc., the Canadian distributor of EpiPen^® (epinephrine) Auto-Injector, is pleased to announce the third year of its partnership with NASCAR/Indy Race Car driver Alex Tagliani and national patient advocacy organization Anaphylaxis Canada to promote food allergy awareness and safety through an educational tour in Vancouver and Edmonton.

Pfizer Canada Inc. will be the title sponsor of Tagliani's No. 18 race car for a second year, building on the outstanding success of their partnership in raising allergy awareness.

"Pfizer Canada is proud to once again team up with Alex Tagliani and Anaphylaxis Canada in an effort to raise awareness of severe allergic reactions," said Allen Van der Wee, General Manager, Global Established Pharma Business, at Pfizer Canada. "The allergy educational tour provides an informative opportunity for patients and their families to learn how to effectively manage severe allergies and be prepared in a potentially life-threatening situation."

The allergy educational tour will kick-off during Food Allergy Awareness Month in May and will mark the return of the Summer of TAG (Treating Allergies with Genuine care) in support of Alex Tagliani's charity of choice, Anaphylaxis Canada. With the goal of raising awareness about the seriousness of food allergies and emergency preparedness, each tour location will be hosting an educational event featuring local allergy experts including: Dr. Edmond Chan, MD, FRCPC, FAAAAI in Vancouver and Dr. Yarden Yanishevsky, MD, MRCPI in Edmonton. In addition, representatives from Anaphylaxis Canada will also be on hand to answer questions about living well with food allergies and provide participants with resources.  Alex Tagliani, who lives with severe allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, will talk about how he manages his allergies at home and when travelling to races. Tagliani knows firsthand that in the event of a severe allergic reaction, every second counts. 

With as many as 1.4 million Canadians at risk of anaphylaxis,¹ food allergy is one of the leading causes of potentially life-threatening allergic reactions and a growing public health concern in Canada.²  There are approximately 300,000 children (under 18 years) across the country that are affected by a food allergy.  Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen and should never be ignored. The most dangerous symptoms include breathing difficulties or a drop in blood pressure. Both can lead to death if left untreated.³

"We are very pleased to once again be partnering with Alex and Pfizer Canada on the Summer of TAG educational tour to foster greater awareness and understanding of food allergies," said Laurie Harada, Executive Director of Anaphylaxis Canada. "The important messages Alex has to deliver – plan ahead to avoid your allergens, know how to recognize the signs of a reaction, and always carry and know how to use your epinephrine medication in the event of an emergency – is potentially life saving information for people with food allergies."

My Allergy Hero Contest
In conjunction with the allergy educational tour, Anaphylaxis Canada will also be launching the "My Allergy Hero" Contest which highlights everyday heroes who make a difference in the daily lives of those living with food allergies. All children (under the age of 18 years) are eligible to enter, with permission of their parents: by telling us who their hero is and how he/she has helped them safely manage their allergies. The winning entry will receive an iPad Air 2 and get to meet Alex at his/her school or daycare this fall. The selected "Allergy Hero" will also receive a $500 gift certificate. The contest was launched on May 1, 2015 through the Summer of TAG website (www.summeroftag.com).

Anaphylaxis Canada's approach to reducing the risk of anaphylactic reactions in both children and adults is focused on self-management, community engagement, understanding, and respect.

"While management of food allergies is an individual responsibility, it takes the understanding and support of the broader community to help reduce the risk of a serious allergic reaction," said Harada. "The My Allergy Hero contest provides a terrific opportunity for people with food allergies to publicly thank and honour someone who has made a positive contribution to the safe management of their allergies."

About EpiPen^®
EpiPen^® and EpiPen^® Jr (0.3 and 0.15 mg epinephrine) Auto-Injectors ("EpiPen") are indicated for the emergency treatment of anaphylactic reactions in patients who are determined to be at increased risk for anaphylaxis, including individuals with a history of anaphylactic reactions. The EpiPen^® Auto-Injector is a disposable, pre-filled automatic injection device that administers epinephrine in the event of a severe allergic reaction. After using EpiPen^®, you must seek immediate medical attention or go to the emergency room. For the next 48 hours, you must stay close to a healthcare facility or be able to call 911. For more information about EpiPen^®, please visit http://www.epipen.ca or you can follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/EpiPenCanada).

About Pfizer Canada
Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. Our diversified health care portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most prescribed medicines and vaccines. At Pfizer, we're working together for a healthier world. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit pfizer.ca or you can follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/PfizerCA) or Facebook (facebook.com/Pfizer.Canada).

About Anaphylaxis Canada
Anaphylaxis Canada is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to helping those at risk for anaphylaxis and those who care for them. The organization is committed to creating a safer world for people with life-threatening allergies through education, advocacy, and research. For more information, visit www.anaphylaxis.ca.

About Alex Tagliani
Alex Tagliani, also known by his racing name TAG, developed a passion for racing at the age of 10 when he was introduced to karting on a visit to see his paternal grandfather in Northern Italy. The Montreal native has shown his fans that he can drive anything from Indy Car to NASCAR to a prototype. Since the beginning of his career in open wheel racing, Alex has accumulated 10 wins, 10 pole positions, 28 podiums and 35 top-10 finishes. A fierce competitor, Alex has many passions including training and nutrition and always takes precautions when managing his life-threatening allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, including carrying his EpiPen^® (epinephrine) Auto-Injector.

EpiPen^®, EpiPen^® Jr are registered trademarks of Mylan, Inc. licensed exclusively to its wholly-owned affiliate, Mylan Specialty, L.P.; sub-licensee, Pfizer Canada Inc., Kirkland, Quebec H9J 2M5

____________________________________
¹ Health Canada. Information Update, http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1481449/information-update-food-allergy-awareness   
² Anaphylaxis Canada. Ontario School Kits. http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/files/OntarioSchoolkitsOct2013.pdf
³ Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Anaphylaxis in School and Other Settings. http://csaci.ca/images/upload-files/Anaphylaxis_3rd_Edition.pdf

SOURCE Pfizer Canada Inc.