Information in this section pertains to all global PEN® partners except where country flags are
visible. Click on the flag(s) for country-specific information. If a country flag is not listed, there is
no information specific to that country.
Disease Etiology
Anemia is characterized by reduced hemoglobin or circulating red blood cell mass (1). It is often a sign or symptom of underlying illnesses or conditions or can also be caused by a variety of different drugs. Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is categorized as a microcytic anemia (cells are small in size) and it is usually a hypochromic anemia as well (cells are pale in colour). As the anemia progresses the red blood cells become smaller and more pale.