First FDA-Approved OTC Preservative-Free Antihistamine Eye
Drop Approved for Relief of Itchy Eyes Associated with
Allergies
Now Rolling out to Major U.S. Retailers
LAVAL, QC, Feb. 23, 2021
/CNW/ -- Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health
business of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC)
("Bausch Health"), today announced the U.S. launch of
Alaway® Preservative Free (ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic
solution 0.035%) antihistamine eye drops, the first and only
over-the-counter (OTC) preservative-free antihistamine eye itch
relief drop approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"As we head into Spring, millions of Americans with allergies
will experience itchy eyes, one of the eye symptoms that affects
approximately 80 percent of people with allergies,"1
said Joe Gordon, U.S. president, Bausch + Lomb. "With the
availability of Alaway® Preservative Free antihistamine
eye drops, consumers now have a new over-the-counter option that
provides fast, lasting eye itch relief without the use of
preservatives."
During allergy season, irritating particles in the air, like
pollen, can cause eyes to release histamines that can cause puffy,
itchy eyes. Alaway® Preservative Free is a new, OTC
prescription-strength formula that is formulated to block the
release of histamines and reduce allergic inflammation. Working
right at the source of eye itch symptoms, Alaway provides relief
within minutes and lasts up to 12 hours with one dose.
"Many of my patients who suffer from seasonal or perennial
allergies tend to rely on oral allergy medication to address their
symptoms. However, oral allergy medication may not provide them
with the eye itch relief that they need," said Arthur Epstein, O.D., director of Clinical
Research, Phoenix Eye Care, Arizona. "Alaway® is a proven
antihistamine eye drop that provides patients fast-acting and
long-lasting eye itch relief where they need it. Now, with the
preservative-free Alaway® formula, patients who have
allergies now have a new option with less risk of irritation
associated with preservatives to help relieve their eye itch
symptoms."
Alaway Preservative-Free will be available for purchase at most
national retailers, including Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Amazon. A
10-day supply (20 single-dose vials) will have a manufacturer's
suggested retail price of $14.99.
For more information on Alaway® eye drops,
visit www.alaway.com.
About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb, a leading global
eye health business of Bausch Health Companies Inc., is solely
focused on helping people see better to live better. Its core
businesses include over-the-counter products, dietary supplements,
eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens
care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Bausch
+ Lomb develops, manufactures and markets one of the most
comprehensive product portfolios in the industry, which is
available in approximately 100 countries. For more information,
visit www.bausch.com.
About Bausch Health
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. More information can be found
at www.bauschhealth.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release may
contain forward-looking statements, which may generally be
identified by the use of the words
"anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may,"
"believes," "estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and
variations or similar expressions. These statements are based upon
the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Bausch
Health's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and detailed from
time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities
Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference.
They also include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties
caused by or relating to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and the
fear of that pandemic and its potential effects, the severity,
duration and future impact of which are highly uncertain and cannot
be predicted, and which may have a material adverse impact on
Bausch Health, including but not limited to its project development
timelines, and costs (which may increase). Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date hereof. Bausch Health undertakes no obligation to update any
of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect
actual outcomes, unless required by law.
References
1. The 2018 U.S. Study of Allergies,
Multi-sponsor Surveys, Inc. February 2018.
Alaway is a trademark of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or
its affiliates.
All other product/brand names and/or
logos are trademarks of the respective owners.
© 2021 Bausch
& Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.
APF.0017.USA.21
Investor
Contact:
|
Media
Contact:
|
Arthur
Shannon
|
Lainie
Keller
|
arthur.shannon@bauschhealth.com
|
lainie.keller@bauschhealth.com
|
(514)
856-3855
|
(908)
927-1198
|
(877) 281-6642 (toll
free)
|
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SOURCE Bausch Health Companies Inc.