Allergan Lends Support to Broaden Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month

Currently, only New York, Florida, and Georgia have passed resolutions marking July as Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month.^[i] Led by The White Dress Project, efforts are underway to expand Fibroid Awareness throughout the U.S., with the ultimate goal of having it become a national observance.

Uterine fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman's uterus. Studies suggest that greater than 80 percent of African American and 70 percent of Caucasian women will develop fibroids by age 50.^[ii]

"Allergan is focused on developing and bringing forward innovative treatments and supporting patients who have unmet medical needs," said Gavin Corcoran, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer, Allergan. "Programs that build community and support patients are important, and the White Dress Project's dedication to the uterine fibroid community aligns with Allergan's commitment to best serve and support patients."

"So many women with fibroids suffer in silence, assuming it's a normal by-product of being a woman, and that there is little that can be done," said Tanika Gray Valbrun, Founder of The White Dress Project. "It's very encouraging that an organization like Allergan has stepped up to help us drive the much-needed disease-state recognition, which will help more women feel supported by a community that better understands the suffering they may experience with fibroids."

In observance of Fibroid Awareness Month, Allergan has launched the first in a series of video patient stories to help build awareness of the fibroid patient journey amongst healthcare professionals, patients, and regulators. The first story will feature Tanika Gray Valbrun, founder of The White Dress Project and uterine fibroid sufferer. To watch the video and learn more about Tanika's story visit YouTube.

About Uterine Fibroids

According to a analysis published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services, in the United States, an estimated  26 million American women between the ages of 15 and 50 could be affected by uterine fibroids, and millions of them may experience associated symptoms or health issues. A disproportionate number of African-American women are among those with symptoms, in part due to earlier age of fibroid onset, with larger and more numerous fibroids.^[iii]

The cause of uterine fibroids is not well understood, and a variety of factors including ethnicity, age of first period and parityhave been examined. In addition the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone play an important role in the growth of fibroids. Symptoms range from excessive bleeding and anemia, to pelvic pressure/pain, urinary frequency, abnormal bowel function and painful intercourse. ^[iv]

Current treatment for fibroids ranges from pharmacologic therapy to various surgical procedures including hysterectomy and myomectomy. The only permanent method to remove existing and future fibroids is hysterectomy, a procedure that removes the uterus, resulting in infertility. Between 2001- 2005, approximately 3.1 million hysterectomies were performed in the U.S., and the percentage associated with uterine fibroids was 32.4 percent.^[v]

About Allergan plc

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a bold, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model – Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients around the world.

Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics and dermatology, gastroenterology, women's health, urology and anti-infective therapeutic categories.

Allergan is an industry leader in Open Science, a model of research and development, which defines our approach to identifying and developing game-changing ideas and innovation for better patient care. With this approach, Allergan has built one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry with 70+ mid-to-late stage pipeline programs currently in development.

Allergan's success is powered by our more than 18,000 global colleagues' commitment to being Bold for Life. Together, we build bridges, power ideas, act fast and drive results for our customers and patients around the world by always doing what is right.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives every day.

For more information, visit Allergan's website at www.Allergan.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Allergan's current perspective on existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Allergan's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Allergan's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Allergan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Allergan's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2017. Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

^[i] https://changethecycle.com/blog/2016/07/why-is-fibroid-awareness-month-important/.
^[ii] Baird, D. D., Dunson, D. B., Hill, M. C., Cousins, D., & Schectman, J. M. (2003). High cumulative incidence of uterine leiomyoma in black and white women: Ultrasound evidence. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 188, 100–107.
^[iii] Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Evidence-based Practice Center Systematic Review Protocol: Management of Uterine Fibroids. www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov. Published March 1, 2016. Accessed July 6, 2017.
^[iv] De La Cruz MS, Buchanan EM. Uterine Fibroids: Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Jan 15;95(2):100-107?
^[v] Merrill, R.M. (2005). Hysterectomy Surveillance in the United States, 1997 through 2005. Med Sci Monit, C26.

SOURCE Allergan plc

Related Links

http://www.allergan.com