Newsroom
FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2006
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Bausch & Lomb made the following statement in response to preliminary data released late yesterday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of its investigation of Fusarium keratitis cases.
These preliminary data require further examination and should be placed in proper context. Bausch & Lomb continues to fully cooperate with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC in a comprehensive investigation to determine the root cause of the unusual incidence of fungal keratitis. Bausch & Lomb will review this information later today with the CDC in a previously scheduled meeting.
Studies suggest that Fusarium keratitis occurs among contact lens wearers at a low rate. It would be expected that the distribution of lens care products associated with these cases would be roughly proportional to the products' relative market share. In the small sample of cases CDC has analyzed to date, the 27-percent representation of ReNu® MultiPlus® solution is well below its approximate 40-percent market share. MultiPlus solution is used by nearly 11 million contact lens wearers in the U.S. in either its branded or private label form. More than 30 million consumers worldwide have used MultiPlus, which has maintained an excellent record of safety and effectiveness since it was introduced in 1997.
The 57-percent share of cases preliminarily reported for the company's MoistureLoc® formula is significantly and disproportionately higher than its U.S. market share of less than 10 percent, which represents approximately 2.3 million users. This disproportionate representation of the MoistureLoc formula in the CDC case reports is the reason Bausch & Lomb voluntarily withdrew MoistureLoc from the market while the investigation to determine the cause of these unusual infections continues.
Bausch & Lomb is the eye health company, dedicated to perfecting vision and enhancing life for consumers around the world. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses and lens care products, and ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The Bausch & Lomb name is one of the best known and most respected healthcare brands in the world. Founded in 1853, the Company is headquartered in Rochester, New York. Bausch & Lomb's 2004 revenues were $2.2 billion; it employs approximately 12,400 people worldwide and its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information about the Company can be found on the Bausch & Lomb Web site at www.bausch.com . Copyright Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.
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