Bausch Health, Canada Inc. Announces First Public Drug Plan Listings for (Pr)UCERIS(R) (budesonide) Aerosol Foam to Help Address the Unmet Need for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Distal Ulcerative Colitis in Adults

Rhea-AI Summary

Bausch Health, Canada Inc., a part of Bausch Health Companies Inc., announces the first public drug plan listings for UCERIS® aerosol foam to treat distal ulcerative colitis in adults. The treatment is now available in five Canadian provinces, with a focus on expanding access to effective therapies for patients.

Pharmaceutical Market Analyst

The announcement of PrUCERIS being listed on public drug plans in multiple Canadian provinces represents a strategic milestone for Bausch Health, potentially expanding the product's market penetration. This inclusion in public plans is likely to increase the volume of prescriptions, as it reduces the financial burden on patients. The significance is underscored by the fact that the two largest provinces are included, which may serve as a bellwether for future adoption in other regions.

From a market perspective, the gastrointestinal franchise of Bausch Health is poised for growth, with UCERIS becoming more accessible. Considering the chronic nature of ulcerative colitis and the preference for the foam formulation over enemas, there's an implication of sustained demand. Investors should monitor the uptake rate of UCERIS, as well as the completion of agreements with other public drug plans, which could further influence Bausch Health's market share and financial performance in the sector.

Healthcare Policy Expert

The collaboration between Bausch Health and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) reflects a broader trend where pharmaceutical companies and public health entities negotiate to make treatments more affordable and accessible. This partnership is significant as it indicates a willingness to prioritize patient access over immediate profit margins, which can lead to long-term benefits both for patients and the company's reputation.

Furthermore, the public listing of UCERIS aligns with healthcare policy goals of improving quality of life for those with chronic conditions. The impact on Bausch Health's business will likely be positive, as public plan listings can lead to increased trust and brand recognition. For stakeholders, the key takeaway is the potential for Bausch Health to secure a stable revenue stream from the public sector, which is generally less volatile than the private market.

Medical Research Analyst

The clinical data indicating a preference for UCERIS foam due to better tolerability and ease of application is a critical factor in its potential market success. The effective management of ulcerative colitis symptoms with UCERIS could translate into a competitive advantage for Bausch Health, especially when considering the patient's quality of life.

Investors should consider the long-term implications of successful treatments on healthcare costs and patient outcomes. The positive results from clinical studies suggest that UCERIS could become a standard treatment option, which may lead to increased long-term demand. However, it's important to remain vigilant regarding potential side effects and market competition, which could affect the drug's uptake and, consequently, Bausch Health's financial projections.

LAVAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / April 3, 2024 / Bausch Health, Canada Inc., part of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC), today announced the first public drug plan listings for ^PrUCERIS^® (budesonide) aerosol foam to treat mild to moderate distal ulcerative colitis in adults.¹

UCERIS is now available for patients through the public drug plans of five Canadian provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

These first public drug plan listings for UCERIS come following the signing of a letter of intent with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) early this year, setting out the parameters for listing of the treatment by the public drug plans of the provinces, territories and federal government.

"Bausch Health is very pleased that patients with distal ulcerative colitis in five provinces, including the two largest, will now have access to UCERIS and we look forward to the rapid completion of listing agreements with other public drug plans so more Canadians will have insured access to this new therapy," said Cees Heiman, Senior Vice-President, Europe and Canada, Bausch Health. "We want to provide additional effective treatment options to Canadians."

UCERIS, part of the Company's growing gastrointestinal franchise, has been available in Canada by prescription since September 2023 and is covered by the majority of private insurance drug plans in Canada.

"Living with ulcerative colitis means experiencing painful, frequent bowel movements, which can also be bloody. Effective treatments for this chronic inflammatory bowel disease are vital to have any quality of life," said Gail Attara, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gastrointestinal Society, a patient group known by its badgut.org website. "We are pleased that public drug plans in Canada are starting to make the new ulcerative colitis treatment UCERIS available as a covered benefit and look forward to their example being followed by all drug insurance plans across Canada."

UCERIS is the only glucocorticosteroid rectal foam available in Canada indicated for the induction of remission in adult patients with active mild to moderate distal ulcerative colitis extending up to 40 cm from the anal verge.¹ In a study comparing budesonide foam and budesonide enema in patients with active distal ulcerative colitis, most patients (84%) preferred the foam formulation because of its better tolerability and easier application.²

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease affecting the large intestine, or colon. The condition causes inflammation and ulceration (sores) along the lining of the colon, which can lead to abdominal pain, cramps, bleeding and diarrhea.³ In ulcerative colitis, the inflammation starts at the rectum and continues through the colon. Symptoms include diarrhea with blood and mucus, pain on the left-hand side of the abdomen, urgency and tenesmus (the feeling of needing to pass stools even if the bowel is empty).³

In the two clinical studies on which the approval of UCERIS rectal aerosol foam was based, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the UCERIS group than in the placebo group were in remission at Week 6 (38.3% and 44.0% vs. 25.8% and 22.4% respectively, pooled p<0.0001) and had a rectal bleeding sub-score of 0 at Week 6 (46.6% and 50.0% vs. 28.0% and 28.6% respectively, pooled p<0.0001). There was also a higher proportion of patients in the UCERIS group than in the placebo group with an endoscopy sub-score of 0 or 1 at Week 6 (55.6% and 56.0% vs. 43.2% and 36.7% respectively.¹

About Bausch Health

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX:BHC) is a global diversified pharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver better health outcomes. We develop, manufacture and market a range of products, primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, medical aesthetic devices, international pharmaceuticals, and eye health, through our controlling interest in Bausch + Lomb. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated healthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, healthcare professionals, employees and investors. For more information, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Bausch Health Canadian 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 Bausch Health, Canada Inc., UCERIS rectal foam Product Monograph, https://bauschhealth.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Uceris-PM-E-2020-04-15.pdf.
² Gross V, et al, Budesonide foam versus budesonide enema in active ulcerative proctitis and proctosigmoiditis, Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;23(2):303-312.
³ IBD Clinic, University of Alberta: http://www.ibdclinic.ca/what-is-ibd/ulcerative-colitis/.

Investor Contact:		Media Contact:
		Kevin Wiggins
ir@bauschhealth.com		corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com
(877) 281-6642 (toll free)		(908) 927-1198

SOURCE: Bausch Health Companies Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com

What is the significance of Bausch Health's announcement regarding UCERIS?

Bausch Health, Canada Inc. has revealed the first public drug plan listings for UCERIS® aerosol foam to address mild to moderate distal ulcerative colitis in adults. This move aims to offer insured access to the treatment in five Canadian provinces, enhancing treatment options for patients.

Which Canadian provinces are included in the initial public drug plan listings for UCERIS?

UCERIS is now available through the public drug plans of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, marking the first listings for the treatment in these provinces.

What is UCERIS and its indication in Canada?

UCERIS is a glucocorticosteroid rectal foam indicated for the induction of remission in adult patients with active mild to moderate distal ulcerative colitis extending up to 40 cm from the anal verge. It is the only foam formulation available in Canada for this purpose.

What are the key benefits of UCERIS compared to other treatments?

In clinical studies, UCERIS demonstrated higher rates of remission and rectal bleeding sub-score of 0 at Week 6 compared to the placebo group. Patients also preferred the foam formulation due to its better tolerability and ease of application.

What is ulcerative colitis, and how does it affect patients?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulceration in the colon, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, cramps, bleeding, and diarrhea. It starts at the rectum and progresses through the colon, resulting in various discomforts for patients.