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	Exhibit (a)(5)(M)
	AXCAN PHARMA INC.
	597, boul. Laurier Mont-Saint-Hilaire (Québec) Canada J3H 6C4   Tél. : (450) 467-5138 1 (800) 565-3255 Fax : (450) 464-9979    www.axcan.com

SOURCE:	AXCAN PHARMA INC.
TSX SYMBOL (Toronto Stock Exchange):	AXP
Nasdaq SYMBOL (Nasdaq National Market):	AXCA
DATE:	June 19, 2003
Press Release for immediate distribution

Axcan Pharma Responds to Preliminary Results of Salix Pharmaceuticals' Annual Meeting

        MONT ST. HILAIRE, Quebec, Canada—Axcan Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: AXCA) responded to the preliminary results of the annual meeting of stockholders of Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SLXP), held at 9:00 a.m. this morning in Raleigh, North Carolina.

        Léon F. Gosselin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Axcan, said, "While we are disappointed by the preliminary results of today's meeting, we would like to thank Salix stockholders for their efforts and attention. We believe that this period of communication and debate, fostered by our offer, has raised important issues concerning Salix's past and future performance. We hope that the Salix Board of Directors will deliver the results its stockholders deserve and have been promised repeatedly." Mr. Gosselin also reiterated that the Axcan offer to acquire the stock of Salix remains open until June 27, 2003.

        Axcan is a leading specialty pharmaceutical company involved in the field of gastroenterology. Axcan markets a broad line of prescription products sold for the treatment of symptoms in a number of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, cholestatic liver diseases and complications related to cystic fibrosis. Axcan's products are marketed by its own sales force in North America and Europe. Its common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AXP" and on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "AXCA".

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

        Saule Holdings Inc. ("Saule"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Axcan Pharma Inc. ("Axcan"), has commenced a tender offer for all the outstanding shares of common stock of Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. ("Salix") at US$10.50 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest. The offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 27, 2003. The offer is subject to a number of conditions, including Axcan obtaining financing. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, all of the conditions to the offer may be waived and the offer period may be extended. If the offer is extended, Saule will notify the depositary for the offer and issue a press release announcing the extension on or before 9:00 a.m., New York City time on the first business day following the date the offer was scheduled to expire. The complete terms and conditions of the offer are set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated April 10, 2003, the Supplement to the Offer to Purchase, dated May 20, 2003, and the related revised Letter of Transmittal. The Offer to Purchase is attached as an exhibit to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO filed by Axcan and Saule with the Commission on April 10, 2003, as the same has been and may be amended or supplemented from time to time. The Supplement to the Offer to Purchase and the related revised Letter of Transmittal are attached as exhibits to the

amendment to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO/A filed by Axcan and Saule with the Commission on May 20, 2003, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

        The offer is not being made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) the holders of shares in any jurisdiction where the making of the offer would not be in compliance with the laws or regulations of such jurisdiction. However, Saule may, at its discretion, take such action as it deems necessary to make the offer in any such jurisdiction and extend the offer to holders of shares in such jurisdiction.

        Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the offer to purchase, the supplement thereto and other documents filed by Axcan with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov. The tender offer statement, the supplement thereto and these other documents may also be obtained free of charge by directing a request to the Information Agent for the offer, MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at (800) 322-2885, or by email at proxy@mackenziepartners.com.

INFORMATION:	David W. Mims Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Axcan Pharma Inc. Tel: (205) 991-8085 ext. 223
or	Isabelle Adjahi Director, Investor Relations Axcan Pharma Inc. Tel: (450) 467-2600 ext. 2000
	www.axcan.com
or	Lekha Rao/Wendel Carson Brunswick Group Tel: (212) 333-3810
	AXCAN PHARMA INC.

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Axcan Pharma Responds to Preliminary Results of Salix Pharmaceuticals' Annual Meeting