Salix in Collaboration with The U.S. Pain Foundation and the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders Establish the Inaugural Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC) Awareness Day

BRIDGEWATER, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / December 5, 2023 / Salix Pharmaceuticals, the gastroenterology division of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC), The U.S. Pain Foundation (USPF), and The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) today announced they are joining forces to declare Tuesday, Dec. 5, Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC) Awareness Day. OIC Awareness Day aims to bring awareness to an often-overlooked side effect of opioids. This day will help patients suffering from OIC by breaking down the stigma and silence surrounding this condition.

"OIC Awareness Day will help bridge the gap between healthcare providers (HCPs), patients, and caregivers by providing them with the information needed to guide conversations about symptoms and management strategies," said Megan Filoramo, RN, MSN, APN-C. "I'm excited to be a part of this awareness initiative and help shed light on this underdiagnosed patient population."

The first annual OIC Awareness Day will provide a platform for patients, caregivers, and HCPs to discuss this condition and encourage them to join the #OICAwarenessDay movement.

"As an organization committed to helping individuals living with chronic pain, we understand the challenges individuals living with OIC experience," said Nicole Hemmenway, CEO of the U.S. Pain Foundation. "We are passionate about awareness and education that empowers those impacted by OIC to feel comfortable having a conversation with their HCP."

More than 20 percent of American adults experience chronic pain and utilize prescribed medications, such as opioids, to help manage their conditions. These opioids can cause debilitating side effects including OIC, a specific type of constipation, and one of the most common side effects of opioid use.

"For over three decades, IFFGD has championed the need for research to enhance the management options available for patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as OIC," said Ceciel Rooker, President and Executive Director of IFFGD. "The symptoms, burdens, and challenges that many face while living with OIC can be debilitating, and their voices must be heard."

The first annual OIC Awareness Day will kick off with a proclamation in Bridgewater, NJ - the town where Salix is headquartered. Dec. 5 is now also officially recognized as OIC Awareness Day in the National Day Archives. A new website, OICAwarenessDay.com, was created to provide information and resources to HCPs, patients, and caregivers about the causes, symptoms, and management of OIC. Salix also partnered with influencers to share online about the movement using the hashtag #vOICesOfOIC.