DUBLIN, July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan plc
(NYSE: AGN) today announced its support of the White Dress Project
and its efforts to expand uterine fibroid education and
awareness. Allergan's Women's Health franchise is
providing a donation to help the organization push for Uterine
Fibroid Awareness Month to be observed nationally.
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.
CONTACTS:
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Daphne
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SOURCE Allergan plc