New Survey Finds More Than Half of Past U.S. Colonoscopy Patients Wish They Had Known More Information About Colonoscopies Including Prep Medication Options and How To Prepare for the Procedure

Salix Pharmaceuticals Releases Findings from First Colonoscopy Awareness Survey

LAVAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) and its gastroenterology business, Salix Pharmaceuticals, today announced findings from its first colonoscopy awareness and perspective survey conducted in partnership with The Harris Poll. Survey findings come in time for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and offer patient perspectives on colonoscopies and the preparation process.

The survey was conducted among 506 U.S. residents aged 45+, including 302 who have had a colonoscopy in the past 5 years and 204 who have not. Survey responses showed that preparing for the procedure is one of the barriers preventing people from getting a colonoscopy, specifically in those who have not had a colonoscopy in the last 5 years. Direct conversations and information about colonoscopy preparation may help overcome barriers as over half (58%) of adults aged 45 years and older who have had a colonoscopy in the last five years report wishing they had known more information before their first colonoscopy - including prep medication options and how to prepare for the procedure.

Additionally, the majority of adults 45 and older surveyed (78%) said they rely on their healthcare provider for information about colonoscopies and the process of colonoscopy preparation. Notably, nearly three quarters (73%) of all adults 45+ said their healthcare provider recommended they get a colonoscopy; however, about a third (34%) said their healthcare provider discussed the different colonoscopy prep medication options with them.

"The findings from this survey underscore the need for greater communication and knowledge-sharing between healthcare providers and their patients about the colonoscopy preparation process," said Nicola Kayel, Senior Vice President, Marketing. "Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, and colonoscopy screening is a critical tool in helping detect colon cancer. These insights help us deliver on our goal to provide doctors with resources and solutions to address patient concerns."

Additional survey findings include:

• 65% of adults 45+ who have had a colonoscopy in the last 5 years report preparing for the colonoscopy was worse than the actual procedure
• When thinking about preparing for a colonoscopy, 30% of adults 45+ described themselves as feeling prepared and 58% reported having negative feelings about preparing for a colonoscopy
• 84% of all adults 45+ surveyed say the amount of colonoscopy prep medication liquid they have to consume is important or somewhat important to them

Additional omnibus research was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Salix Pharmaceuticals among 2,058 adults ages 18 and older. This research found 77% of U.S. adults 18+ who have not had a colonoscopy in the past five years would like more information before having their first colonoscopy.