Shire Canada Inc. launches unique Scholarship Program for Canadian students with ADHD

Scholarship includes help with tuition plus coaching services

MONTREAL, Feb. 27, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Shire Canada is launching an Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Scholarship Program for Canadian adults diagnosed with ADHD who are pursuing post-secondary education. A first in Canada, the new Program will award five recipients with a unique scholarship that combines financial support for tuition as well one year's worth of ADHD coaching services. Full Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship Program details can be found at www.shireadhdscholarship.com.

"Individuals with ADHD may be as smart as anyone else. However, they typically have difficulties with such things as planning, time management and organizational skills," explains Dr. Lily Hechtman, Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at McGill University, Director of Research in the division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Hechtman is also a member of the jury for the Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship Program. "We hope this Program will help these young adults manage the additional challenges that come with having ADHD and allow them to be even more successful in school and their other daily activities."

Helping adult students with ADHD unlock their full academic potential
The Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship includes $1,500 towards tuition in a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada as well as one-years' worth of ADHD coaching provided by the Edge Foundation, a non-profit organization that specializes in ADHD coaching for students (estimated value for the coaching services offered within the scope of the Program: $4,400).

Scholarships' recipients will be selected based on a personal essay describing how ADHD has impacted their lives and their thoughts about ADHD Coaching. Assessment of the applications will be performed by an independent jury panel made up of leading Canadian ADHD medical experts and representatives from three Canadian ADHD patient associations.

"We are proud to support young adults with ADHD, especially as they transition from high school to yet another level of education, which constitutes a new and challenging chapter of their life," says Claude Perron, Vice President and General Manager at Shire Canada. "We also hope the Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship Program will help raise awareness about adult ADHD."

The scholarship is available to residents of Alberta, Ontario, and Québec. A total of 5 recipients will be selected for the Scholarship Program in 2013, a minimum of one winner per province. The deadline for submitting applications is March 27, 2013; final winners will be announced on June 17, 2013.

About Adult ADHD
ADHD is the most common mental health disorder in children. However, despite studies showing that 80% of diagnosed children maintain the diagnosis into adolescence and 60% are still affected by core symptoms in adulthoodⁱ, the disorder is still under diagnosed in adults.

Research has shown that adult ADHD is linked to lower socioeconomic status, fewer years of education, lower rates of professional employment and lower occupational achievement, among others.ⁱⁱ Approximately 4.4% of adults worldwide are affected by ADHDⁱⁱⁱ, which represents approximately 1.5 million Canadians^iv.

About Shire PLC
Shire enables people with life-altering conditions to lead better lives.

Through our deep understanding of patients' needs, we develop and provide healthcare in the areas of:

• Behavioural Health and Gastro Intestinal conditions
• Rare Diseases
• Regenerative Medicine

as well as other symptomatic conditions treated by specialist physicians.

We aspire to imagine and lead the future of healthcare, creating value for patients, physicians, policymakers, payers and our shareholders.
For further information on Shire, please visit the Company's website: www.shire.com.

About Shire Canada Inc.
Shire Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of Shire plc with headquarters in Montréal (St-Laurent), Québec. For further information, please visit the company's website: www.shirecanada.com.

ⁱ http://www.caddra.ca/cms4/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=233&lang=en
ⁱⁱ Biederman J, Faraone S, Spencer T et al. Functional Impairments in Adults With Self-Reports of DiagnosedADHD: A Controlled Study of 1001 Adults in the Community. J Clin Psychiatry. 2006:67(4): 524-40.
ⁱⁱⁱ http://www.caddra.ca/cms4/pdfs/caddraGuidelines2011.pdf
^iv Derived from Statistics Canada 2012 demographics data. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/demo02a-eng.htm.

SOURCE: Shire Canada Inc.

For further information or schedule an interview, please contact:

QUÉBEC
David BARRETT
CASACOM
514-286-2145, ext. 224
[email protected]

ONTARIO
Kara LATTA
CASACOM
416-944-2145
[email protected]

ALBERTA
Ann GIBBON
778-999-0064
[email protected]