LAVAL,
QC, Dec. 22, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Bausch Health
Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC) (TSX: BHC) and its Canadian
dermatology division, one of the largest prescription dermatology
health care businesses in Canada, today announced that its new
topical prescription treatment for acne vulgaris,
ARAZLOTM (tazarotene lotion, 0.045% w/w), is now
available to patients through the provincial public drug plans of
Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as the federal
government's Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) drug plan, which
serves Canada's First Nations and
Inuit populations.1
ARAZLO is the first tazarotene lotion treatment approved by
Health Canada for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in
patients 10 years of age and older.2 The listings by the
four public drug plans are the first for ARAZLO in Canada, with others expected to follow as a
result of the successful conclusion of listing negotiations with
the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance, representing the drug
plans of the federal government and all provinces and
territories.
"We are very pleased to have achieved agreements for these first
public drug plan listings in Canada for ARAZLO," said Cees Heiman, Bausch Health, Senior Vice
President, Europe and Canada. "It is an important further step
in helping to provide new treatment options for the approximately
5.6 million Canadians who are impacted by acne.4 We
are very proud to have a large dermatology portfolio to help meet
Canadians' needs."
"While tazarotene is not a new retinoid, the vehicle in ARAZLO
is a true innovation in topical technology and enhances the
tolerability, and thus effectiveness, of this new product for acne
patients," said Dr. Jerry Tan, MD,
FRCPC, of Windsor, Ontario,
President of the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada, Adjunct Professor, Western University.
ARAZLO is the first tazarotene acne treatment available in a
lotion formulated with PRISMATREXTM technology
(formulation with known hydrating and moisturizing effects, which
may alleviate dryness of skin)2 and has been shown
to provide a good tolerability profile. Retinoids like tazarotene
are a core component of acne treatment. Providing the treatment in
a lotion form helps limit the dryness and irritation that has
historically been a barrier to the long-term use of tazarotene by
patients.3
About Acne Vulgaris
Acne vulgaris ("vulgaris" means "common") is the most common skin
problem seen by doctors in Canada.
It occurs when the pores of the skin become plugged with oil and
skin cells, often causing whiteheads, blackheads, pimples or cysts
to appear on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.
Acne affects about 5.6 million Canadians, or nearly 20 per cent of
the population and causes emotional distress and can cause
permanent scarring2 or pigmentation
changes.5 Acne affects about 90 per cent of
adolescents and about 25 per cent of teens will still have acne at
age 25.4
About ARAZLO TM
ARAZLO tazarotene lotion, 0.045% w/w is a topical prescription
indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. ARAZLO can be
used on affected areas in patients 10 years and older. The safety
and efficacy of ARAZLO in children below the age of 10 years has
not been established.2
About Bausch Health
Bausch Health Companies Inc.
(NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global diversified pharmaceutical company
whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care
products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of
products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology,
dermatology, international pharmaceuticals and eye health,
through our controlling interest in Bausch + Lomb. With our leading
durable brands, we are delivering on our commitments as we build an
innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. For more
information, visit www.bauschhealth.com and
connect with us
on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Bausch Health, Canada Inc.'s prescription treatment
portfolio is focused on dermatology -, gastrointestinal and
cardio-metabolic conditions. Bausch Health also has two
manufacturing facilities for prescription pharmaceuticals in
Canada, in Laval, Quebec, and Steinbach, Manitoba. More information can be
found at the Company's website
at www.bauschhealth.ca.
REFERENCES
1.
Quebec :
https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/professionnels/medicaments/tableau-nouveautes-innovateurs/tableau-nouveautes-innovateurs_2022-11-09.pdf
assessed Nov. 18, 2022
Ontario:
https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/drugs/formulary43/summary_edition43_20221024.pdf
Alberta:
https://idbl.ab.bluecross.ca/idbl/drugDetails?_cid=3ea4d70e-b206-466a-a30b-82746e11ed08&id=0000099458&intchg_grp_nbr=1&detailId=7661580
Saskatchewan:
https://formulary.drugplan.ehealthsask.ca/Bulletins/Bulletin-0222-Nov-2022.pdf
NIHB:
https://nihb-ssna.express-scripts.ca/en/0205140506092019/16/160407
2. ARAZLO (Tazarotene Lotion) Product Monograph, July 7, 2021.
3. "Targeted Topical Delivery of Retinoids in the Management of
Acne Vulgaris: Current Formulations and Novel Delivery Systems."
Pharmaceutics. Gemma Latter et al,
October 2019,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835300/, accessed
Nov. 1, 2022.
4. Canadian Dermatology Association, Acne, Quick Facts,
https://dermatology.ca/public-patients/skin/acne/#:~:text=Acne%20affects%205.6%20million%20Canadians,adults%20ages%2020%20to%2040,
accessed Nov. 1, 2022.
5. "What to Know about Hyperpigmentation Acne." Medical News
Today, Jessica Caporuscio,
April 28, 2021,
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hyperpigmentation-acne,
accessed Nov. 1, 2022.
SOURCE Bausch Health