Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Canadian pharmaceutical and medical device company founded in 1958, known for pharmaceuticals, eye health, and dermatology products, headquartered in Laval, Quebec.

Bausch Health was founded in 1958 by Robert Bausch and William Bausch in Rochester, New York, as Bausch + Lomb, an eye health company. The company developed contact lenses and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Bausch + Lomb grew through product innovation and expanded internationally. The company was acquired by Warner-Lambert in 1967 and later became independent again.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the company pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy under the name Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. Valeant acquired numerous pharmaceutical companies to expand its portfolio. Notable acquisitions included the purchase of Biovail in 2010 and Salix Pharmaceuticals in 2015. The company became known for its acquisition-focused growth strategy.

Valeant faced significant controversy in the 2010s. The company was investigated for accounting practices and drug pricing. In 2016, Valeant faced scrutiny over its relationship with specialty pharmacy Philidor. The company's stock price declined significantly, and CEO J. Michael Pearson resigned. Valeant faced legal challenges and regulatory investigations.

In 2018, Valeant changed its name to Bausch Health Companies Inc. to distance itself from the controversy. The company focused on restructuring and stabilizing its operations. Bausch Health sold non-core assets to reduce debt and focused on its core pharmaceutical and eye health businesses.

Recent strategic direction has focused on operational stability and core business focus. Bausch Health has invested in pharmaceutical innovation and eye health technology. The company has also focused on debt reduction and operational efficiency. Bausch Health continues to operate its pharmaceutical and eye health businesses following the restructuring.