Vifor Pharma Group is a global pharmaceuticals company. It aims to become the global leader in iron deficiency,
nephrology and cardio-renal therapies. The company is the partner of choice for specialty pharmaceuticals and innovative
patient-focused solutions. Vifor Pharma Group strives to help patients around the world with severe and chronic diseases
lead better, healthier lives. The company develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products for precision
patient care. Vifor Pharma Group holds a leading position in all its core business activities and consists of the following
companies: Vifor Pharma; Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma, a joint company with Fresenius Medical Care;
Relypsa; and OM Pharma. Vifor Pharma Group is headquartered in Switzerland, and listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange
(SIX Swiss Exchange, VIFN, and ISIN: CH0364749348). For more information, please visit www.viforpharma.com^[1]

Iron Deficiency Day takes place every year on 26 November and is dedicated to:

• raising awareness of the serious public health problem iron deficiency poses.
  ¹
• highlighting the significant impact iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia can have on the lives of those
  living with it.¹
• helping people recognise the common and often overlooked symptoms

To help people around the world get iron informed, Iron Deficiency Day 2018 has developed a range of information
and materials to help people understand iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia and a Symptom Checker to
help people recognise the numerous but varied symptoms. The Symptom Checker lists the main symptoms
associated with iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia and brings them to life with an animated character, to
further explain each symptom.

Iron deficiency is very common present in one-third of people around the world.²
It is most prevalent in
premenopausal and pregnant women and children under the age of five.³
In Europe for example, iron deficiency
affects up to 33% of pre-menopausal women, up to 77% of pregnant women, and up to 48% of children³
. Iron
deficiency is also frequently associated with chronic inflammatory diseases such as chronic heart failure, chronic
kidney disease and irritable bowel disease.
⁴

Iron is required throughout the body. It is essential for the production of red blood cells, and ensuring that the heart
and skeletal muscles can function effectively.¹⁵ Iron also plays a vital role in fighting off infections and illness,¹⁶
maintaining energy levels¹⁶ and normal brain function.¹⁷ When the body’s available iron stores are low (iron deficiency)
it can impact almost all aspects of life such as metabolism, mental and physical health, work productivity and even
sexual function.^{5, 17} The World Health Organization states that iron deficiency can lead to a reduction of 30% in
physical work output.¹⁸

For more information visit www.irondeficiencyday.com^[2]