BOCA RATON, Fla. — IM HealthScience (IMH) is expanding retail distribution of its IBgard medical food capsules for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to independent drug stores and supermarkets nationwide.

IMH said this week that IBgard is being distributed to the new retail locations through national wholesalers AmerisourceBergen and McKesson.

The broader rollout builds on IBgard’s current national distribution to CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens and, most recently, Rite Aid stores, where the product is sold in the retailers’ digestive aisles.

According to IMH, the expanded distribution of IBgard comes in response to rising feedback from doctors to make the product more available for their patients.

“Gastroenterologists tell us that IBgard continues to deliver high levels of patient satisfaction,” stated Ellen Geisel, president of IM HealthScience. IBgard. “At this time of rising health care costs, IBgard benefits from effectiveness, safety, retail access and affordability. We are pleased to be making IBgard available to thousands of independent drug stores and grocery stores across the country through large and well-known national wholesalers.

“Independent drug stores and grocery stores will now be able to service their customers who seek more convenient retail access,” Geisel added.

A specially formulated, nonprescription medical food, IBgard contains peppermint oil for the dietary management of IBS, which affects one in six Americans. The product has been clinically proven to manage IBS symptoms, notably abdominal pain, in as soon as 24 hours.

IMH reported that an estimated 10,000-plus health care professionals, including 3,000 gastroenterologists, have already used IBgard for their patients to help them control their IBS symptoms. Though available over the counter, IBgard — as a medical food — must be used under medical supervision, the company added.