Allergan Announces Partnership with Amy Dixon, Elite Paratriathlete, to Improve Patient-Physician Conversations About Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D)

Allergan plc announced a national partnership with Amy Dixon, world champion paratriathlete and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) patient.

Through this partnership, Dixon will serve as a spokesperson to share her story with fellow IBS-D sufferers and healthcare providers, with the goal of improving dialogue between patients and their physicians about this condition and impact on patients’ lives.

IBS-D is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, marked by recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea, that affects as many as 16 million adult Americans and impacts roughly the same number of women and men.1,2,3,4

“I experienced abdominal pain and diarrhea for years before I decided to go to the doctor,” said Amy Dixon. “After struggling to find answers, I finally decided to talk to my doctor and I was diagnosed with IBS-D.”

One of the obstacles in IBS-D treatment stems from a gap in patient-physician communication. The “IBS in America” survey found that sixty-five percent of IBS-D patients experience GI symptoms for at least a year before speaking with their doctor, and forty-six percent of patients wait at least three years before seeking a diagnosis.5

Dixon partnered with Allergan because of what she called, “the desire to let people know that they don’t have to go through life this way.” “No one should have to deal with this condition by themselves. There are resources available to help you start the conversation with your doctor; together you can decide if a prescription medication is right for you,” Dixon added.

“Allergan is proud to partner with Amy Dixon to raise much needed awareness around IBS-D. By teaming up with Amy and providing education to patients, we hope to empower people living with this chronic condition to have important conversations with their clinicians and seek medical treatment for their IBS-D symptoms,” said Aimee Lenar, Vice President, Gastroenterology at Allergan.

As part of a continued effort to educate patients, Allergan has developed a new website featuring “Amy’s Story” and a doctor discussion guide.To learn more about Amy’s Story, IBS-D, and a potential treatment option, visit www.IBSDandAmy.com

About Amy Dixon
Amy Dixon is a world champion paratriathlete and motivational speaker, appearing on television and radio. Amy speaks internationally about her dedication to overcoming adversity, leadership, disease management and patient advocacy.

About VIBERZI
VIBERZI (pronounced vye-BER-zee) is an orally active compound indicated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in men and women. VIBERZI (eluxadoline) has mixed opioid receptor activity, it is a mu- and kappa- opioid receptor agonist and a delta-opioid receptor antagonist.6

About Allergan plc
Allergan plc headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a bold, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model – Growth Pharma.  Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceuticals, devices and biologic products for patients around the world.Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics and dermatology, gastroenterology, women’s health, urology and anti-infective therapeutic categories.

Allergan is an industry leader in Open Science, the Company’s R&D model, which defines our approach to identifying and developing game-changing ideas and innovation for better patient care.  This approach has led to Allergan building one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry with 70+ mid-to-late stage pipeline programs in development.Our Company’s success is powered by our more than 16,000 global colleagues’ commitment to being Bold for Life.  Together, we build bridges, power ideas, act fast and drive results for our customers and patients around the world by always doing what is right.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives every day.For more information, visit Allergan’s website at www.Allergan.com