Medicis Announces Winners of First Annual I Acanya® Succeed Scholarship Program to Help Students Follow their Dreams

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicis, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC, today announced the winners of the first annual I Acanya^® Succeed scholarship program, an education-based initiative that provides scholarships to college students who have taken an active role in managing their acne. Three winners, representing three regions of the United States, were selected to receive up to $48,000 each toward college tuition after submitting a compelling video essay depicting how their personal struggles with acne were helped by the care of a dermatologist.

The three winners are recent high school graduates who will attend the following universities in the fall of 2013; Duke, New York University (NYU) and University of Wisconsin.

"Medicis salutes the winners of the first annual I Acanya Succeed scholarship program, which demonstrates our commitment to improving the lives of young people through education," said Ryan Weldon, President, Medicis. "It is our goal to inform and help guide patients who may be needlessly suffering from acne, a highly treatable condition when managed by a medical professional."

The I Acanya Succeed Scholarship program is open to undergraduate students who have been accepted to or are currently attending an accredited college, university, or vocational or technical school in the U.S. Applicants must have been previously diagnosed with acne, at some point were under the care of a licensed dermatologist, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner, and have had personal experience using prescription acne medication.

Applicants for the inaugural I Acanya Succeed scholarship created a video essay about their personal experiences dealing with acne, and the role their dermatologist, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner played in helping them treat the condition successfully. Students were required to include two letters of recommendation and information about their school and community activities. For more information about the program, and to view the winning video essays, visit www.acanyascholarship.com.

Medicis, which markets Acanya^® (clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide) Gel, 1.2%/2.5% for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older, created the I Acanya Succeed Scholarship program to educate students about the need to work with a dermatologist to manage acne, as well as to empower students by providing the financial assistance they need to obtain a college education. Acanya should not be used by patients who are allergic to clindamycin, have Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or have developed inflammation of the colon (colitis) with past antibiotic use. 

Each year, an estimated 40 to 50 million Americans are affected by acne vulgaris, a condition that affects more than 85% of teenagers and often continues into adulthood. Fortunately, acne is a treatable condition, one that often does not require complex treatment regimens. Medications such as Acanya can provide a manageable treatment regimen for many patients with acne.

"The video essays submitted by this year's I Acanya Succeed scholarship winners underscore the impact of acne among teens, while highlighting that the condition remains under-treated, as effective solutions for acne can be elusive for people trying to self-treat without a physician's counsel," said Tage Ramakrishna, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Valeant Pharmaceuticals. "As the winners' videos show, it is important to raise awareness among teens and young adults that effective therapies are available, and that an individualized treatment plan can be very effective."

Indication and Important Safety Information

Acanya Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age or older. Do not use Acanya Gel if you are allergic to clindamycin, have Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or have developed inflammation of the colon (colitis) with past antibiotic use. Clindamycin, the antibiotic in Acanya Gel, may cause diarrhea. If you experience severe diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, or severe abdominal cramping stop using Acanya Gel immediately and contact your doctor.  Clindamycin taken orally or through IV may result in severe colitis, which may result in death. If you develop allergic symptoms such as severe itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing, you should stop using Acanya Gel and contact your doctor immediately. Limit your time in sunlight after applying Acanya Gel and avoid using tanning beds or sun lamps. Acanya Gel is for topical use only. Avoid applying Acanya Gel in mouth, eyes, or nose or on lips. Side effects may include redness, scaling, itching, burning, and stinging.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.  Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also contact Valeant Customer Service at 1-800-556-1937.

For Full Prescribing Information, go to www.acanyagel.com.

Enrollment for the 2014 I Acanya Succeed scholarship program will be open to undergraduate students in December. Three award recipients will receive up to $12,000 per year for a maximum of four years. For details of the scholarship, eligibility and application process, please visit www.acanyascholarship.com.

SOURCE Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC