IRVINE,
Calif., November 30, 2004) –
Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) continues
to work with the appropriate state
and federal public health authorities
to investigate the isolated incident
concerning patients treated with
unknown substances at one specific
facility, Advanced Integrated
Medical Center, in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida.
The authorities have not yet determined
if these patients are suffering
from botulism and if BOTOX®
(botulinum toxin type A) was administered
to these patients.
Authorities involved in the investigation
have not indicated that lots of
BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic
are the focus of their investigation.
Rather, the investigation is directed
to inappropriate and unlicensed
practices at the facility. In
addition, Allergan has completed
an exhaustive review of its manufacturing
and safety processes and, based
upon the company’s investigation,
the company is confident in the
worldwide safety and manufacturing
quality of BOTOX® and BOTOX®
Cosmetic. Physicians and patients
should continue to feel confident
in administering and using BOTOX®
and BOTOX® Cosmetic.
Multiple
agencies are involved in a potential
criminal investigation at the
Advanced Integrated Medical Center
where the patients received unspecified
treatments. Unidentified and unlabeled
substances were reportedly discovered
at the medical center and the
patients may have been given a
cocktail of unknown compounds
intravenously.
BOTOX®
is a medical product containing
tiny amounts (only a few billionths
of a gram) of the highly purified
botulinum toxin protein refined
from the bacterium, Clostridium
botulinum. BOTOX® has been
approved by regulatory authorities
in more than 70 countries for
20 different indications. Over
the last 15 years, BOTOX®
has been used to treat millions
of patients worldwide who suffer
from a variety of medical conditions.
The same product was approved
as BOTOX® Cosmetic in 2002
in the United States.
Allergan
encourages physicians and consumers
with questions to call 1-800-433-8871
to speak to a company representative.
Allergan also encourages both
physicians and consumers to visit
its web sites at www.Allergan.com,
www.BOTOX.com and www.BOTOXCosmetic.com
to learn more about BOTOX®
and BOTOX® Cosmetic. Consumers
seeking a qualified injector for
cosmetic applications can find
a trained physician on www.BOTOXCosmetic.com.
About Allergan, Inc.
Allergan, Inc., with headquarters
in Irvine, California, is a technology-driven,
global health care company providing
specialty pharmaceutical products
worldwide. Allergan develops and
commercializes products in the
eye care, neuromodulator, skin
care and other specialty markets
that deliver value to its customers,
satisfy unmet medical needs, and
improve patients’ lives.
Allergan
Contacts:
Jim Hindman (714) 246-4636 (investors)
Joann Bradley (714) 246-4766 (investors)
Ashwin Agarwal (714) 246-4582
(investors)
Caroline Van Hove (714) 246-5134
(media)
Stephanie Fagan (714) 246-5232
(media)
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