Dubai - February 27th 2006: Under the patronage of H.E. Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), the first 'International Course on Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)' kicked off in Dubai at Rashid Hospital, where and for the first time in the country a live surgical dissection took place before 100 prominent ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians from Gulf area including also Iran, Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The dissections were conducted on thawed cadaver heads imported for this purpose.

The course was organized by Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman, head of Ear, Nose and Throat department - Dubai Hospital and co-sponsored by Medtronic and Schering-Plough under DOHMS, and was aimed at increasing awareness and skills in the local market about sinus surgery and the long term effects of allergy. Dr. Abdul Rahman said that the live surgeries were very helpful for the doctors in the region as they did not have to fly for the US or abroad for the training session.

For its part, Schering Plough hosted lecture sessions lead by two international speakers being Dr. Elgan Davies and Professor Mohamed Zaki M. Helal. Dr. Davies, a UK based consultant and ENT surgeon at Leighton Hospital, is Secretary and Council member of the British Rhinological Society, Council member of British Association of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Regional Specialty Education and Training Committee. Professor Davis commented that the course helped in the revision and reinforcement of the sinus anatomy in addition to the principles of sinus surgeries. The rotating endoscope with different drills and plates that fit for different purposes would help the doctors conduct sinus surgeries more effectively.

Dr. Helal is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine - Otolaryngology - at Shams University in Cairo. He is a member of several national societies in Egypt.  His fields of scientific interest include rhinology, facial surgery and computer based educational presentations in Rhinology and Rhino-septoplasty. 

The course comes at a time when allergy related diseases in the region are on the rise due to rapid industrialization and urban migration; people are becoming more exposed than ever to toxic pollutants and stress. The incidence of nasal complaints of sneezing, nasal block and congestion, have been on the rise due to the above factors. Nasal allergy is found to be present in more than 40% of general population.

Such diseases may be remedied by NASONEX the only prescription nasal allergy spray approved for the treatment of seasonal and perennial nasal allergy symptoms in children 2 years of age and older. NASONEX helps by treating nasal allergy symptoms caused by dust mites, pet dander, even tree and grass pollen.

Another medication is AERIUS for patients one year and above which provides non-drowsy 24-hour relief from allergy symptoms caused by seasonal allergens such as ragweed, grass, and tree pollens and year-round allergens such as dust mites, animal dander, and mold spores. AERIUS is also indicated for chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), or hives of an unknown cause.

There are mainly two patterns of nasal allergy- the persistent (previously known as perennial) and the other more common one - intermittent or seasonal allergy. The usual symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis (AR) include recurrent early morning sneezing, nasal stuffiness, watering, post nasal drip, itching of nose and eyes and chronic cough. Several times these complaints are accompanied by wheezing/ difficulty breathing, indicating allergic asthma.

-Ends-

About SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION:
Schering-Plough Corporation is a global science-based health care company with leading prescription, consumer and animal health products. Through internal research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough discovers, develops, manufactures and markets advanced drug therapies to meet important medical needs.

Schering-Plough's vision is to earn the trust of the physicians, patients and customers served by its more than 30,000 people around the world. The company's products reach patients and caregivers in more than 125 countries. In 2003, sales totalled $8.3 billion.

Throughout its history, Schering-Plough has discovered and developed innovative new therapies. Schering-Plough Research Institute concentrates its pharmaceutical research and development efforts on producing medicines that treat allergic and respiratory disorders; infectious diseases and inflammation; cancer; cardiovascular disease; and central nervous system and other disorders. Research and development spending in 2003 totaled $1.5 billion.

For media requests, please contact:
Layth Dajani
The CONTENT Factory
P.O. Box 29764, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +97143341880
Tel 2: +97143372824
Fax: +97184480574
Mobile: +971507145640
E-mail: layth@tcf-me.com

© Press Release 2006