Bausch Health's Canadian business positioned for growth in 2019

LAVAL, QC, Jan. 8, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC) (TSX: BHC) is positioned for growth in Canada in 2019 under a new name, Bausch Health, Canada inc. with a strong pipeline of products and a well-established manufacturing presence in the country.

Bausch Health recently launched three new treatments available for patients in Canada, including VYZULTA™ (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution) for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension ; CONTRAVE® (bupropion and naltrexone) for chronic weight management in adults (obese and overweight with weight-related comorbidities) in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise; and SILIQ™ (brodalumab) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. In addition, the Company's world-class manufacturing facilities in Canada continued to produce a wide range of innovative treatments for markets around the world.

"In Canada, the team at Bausch Health is focused on its mission to improve people's lives with its health care products. This includes both our existing lineup of products and innovative new offerings, including VYZULTA™, SILIQ™ and CONTRAVE®," said Richard Lajoie, President and General Manager, Bausch Health, Canada. "We are proud of our company and employees who are having a positive impact on patients every day. Together, we are creating momentum to improve the health of Canadians."

VYZULTA™, indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, was granted a Notice of Compliance (NOC) from Health Canada on December 27, 2018. VYZULTA^TM is the first prostaglandin analog with one of its metabolites being nitric oxide (NO),ⁱ and also the first new innovative treatment for open-angle glaucoma in Canada in almost twenty years. Bausch Health expects to commence sales and marketing of VYZULTA™ in Canada in the 2^nd quarter of 2019.

CONTRAVE® received approval from Health Canada as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults on March 26, 2018. The drug was shown to help patients with a BMI over 27 and a weight-related comorbidity, as well as patients affected by obesity (BMI over 30), to lose up to four times more weight over the course of one year than with diet and exercise alone across four Phase III studies.'ⁱⁱ' 'ⁱⁱⁱ' '^iv' '^v'

SILIQ™ was granted approval from Health Canada for subcutaneous use in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy on March 6, 2018. Subsequently on June 20, 2018, the Canadian Drug Expert Committee (CDEC) at the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) recommended "that brodalumab 210 mg be reimbursed for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy."[vi] Currently, Bausch Health is collaborating with the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) and the different drug plans to ensure patients have access to SILIQ™ through public coverage as soon as possible.

CONTRAVE® and SILIQ™ are available in various private health insurance plans and patients taking these treatments have access to comprehensive Patient Support Plans.

Bausch Health's world-class manufacturing facilities in Canada also play a key role in the Company's success as many of the Company's key products are manufactured at the Laval and Steinbach facilities, including JUBLIA^® (efinaconazole), which is indicated for the topical treatment of mild to moderate onychomycosis of toenails, and several products that are manufactured for the U.S. market, including XIFAXAN^® (rifaximin); APRISO^® (mesalazine); and GLUMETZA^® (metformin HCL) 500 mg.  

About Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. We are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health.

In Canada, the company's prescription product portfolio is focused on eye health, dermatology and cardio-metabolic conditions. More information can be found at the Company's website at https://www.bauschhealth.ca.

SOURCE Bausch Health

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