Mr. Tage Ramakrishna reports

SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS APPLAUDS IMPLEMENTATION OF K76.82 - A NEW ICD-10 CODE FOR HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY

Bausch Health Companies Inc. and its gastroenterology business, Salix Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world committed to the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) and liver diseases and disorders, have endorsed the implementation of K76.82, an ICD-10 code from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a complication of cirrhosis that affects the brain. According to recent data, hospitalized patients readmitted within 30 days with HE have a 20-per-cent one-year mortality rate.

"A quick, widespread adoption of the K76.82 code may help ensure a clearer identification of patients who are at more advanced stages of disease and at greater risk for liver-related mortality and other clinical events," explained Tage Ramakrishna, chief medical officer and president of R&D (research and development) of Salix. "Salix is helping to spread the word about the launch of the K76.82 code in October, which happens to coincide with Liver Awareness Month, a time dedicated to discussing the prevalence and impact of liver disease and increase awareness of liver health and the overarching need to bring liver diseases to the forefront as a national health care priority."

To help educate health care providers about the new K76.82 code, Salix developed a digital tool kit for partners and professional organizations to share on their channels and with members. The digital tool kit includes a K76.82 infographic and customizable assets to raise awareness and adoption of the new code.

"With the prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis expected to increase by 63 per cent by 2030 in the United States and the potential for progression to cirrhosis, it is critical that we quickly align clinical documentation with the needs of this rapidly growing patient population," said Donna R. Cryer, JD, founder and chief executive officer of the Global Liver Institute. "As the COVID epidemic has further exacerbated hospitalizations, disease severity, and deaths from chronic liver disease and undertreated complications of cirrhosis, such as hepatic encephalopathy, it is our hope that the new ICD-10 code assignment will help raise awareness of this serious condition as well as other life-threatening complications of cirrhosis, increasing access and care options for patients."

Health care providers can find more information about HE and download the most recently published Salix Liver Health Annual Trends Report on-line.

About Salix Salix Pharmaceuticals

Salix Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world committed to the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. For more than 30 years, Salix has licensed, developed and marketed innovative products to improve patients' lives and arm health care providers with life-changing solutions for many chronic and debilitating conditions. Salix currently markets its product line to U.S. health care providers through an expanded sales force that focuses on gastroenterology, hepatology, pain specialists and primary care. Salix is headquartered in Bridgewater, N.J.

About Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Bausch Health Companies is a global diversified pharmaceutical company whose mission is to improve people's lives with its health care products. The company develops, manufactures and markets a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, international pharmaceuticals and eye health through its approximately 88.7-per-cent ownership of Bausch + Lomb. With its leading durable brands, Bausch Health Companies is delivering on its commitments as it builds an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health.

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