SAN DIEGO, Feb. 25, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFHC) has signed a major Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) agreement for its lead pharmaceutical product, Esclim(tm) (estradiol transdermal system), with Caremark Inc., the country's fourth largest PBM. Beginning in March 2002, all five doses of Esclim(tm) will be added to Caremark's Preferred and Primary Drug Lists. Selected brand name drugs on the Caremark Drug Lists are considered preferred because of their overall ability to meet patients' needs at a reasonable cost. With the listings, Women First will join a very select class of products in a Caremark estrogen patch category. Women First expects the listings, with promotional support from Caremark on the retail network and mail order pharmacy levels, will continue to increase revenue opportunities for Esclim(tm).
This is the second priority drug listing Women First has effected for its estrogen patch this year. Beginning in March 2002, Women First will have access to nearly 100 million PBM members and to PBM transdermal hormone replenishment segments totaling an estimated $60 million in annual sales.
Commenting on the agreement, Saundra L. Childs, Women First Vice President - Pharmaceuticals, said, "An important and stated focus for our company in 2002 is building our Esclim(tm) business, which we expect to double from 2001 levels. We are pleased and excited to create yet another strategic distribution platform for Women First and Esclim(tm) through our new partnership with Caremark, which serves nearly 24 million Americans and operates a national retail pharmacy network with over 55,000 participating pharmacies. We believe this new PBM agreement will support and maximize our integrated marketing and distribution efforts for Esclim(tm) while continuing to enhance ongoing clinician dialogue regarding our estrogen patch."
Women First markets Esclim(tm) exclusively in the U.S. under a distribution and licensing agreement with Laboratoires Fournier SA of France. Esclim(tm) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of vasomotor menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Its active ingredient is estradiol, the principal form of estrogen produced naturally by a woman's ovaries during the reproductive years. The Esclim(tm) transdermal patch system offers maximum dosing flexibility with five dosage options (0.025, 0.0375, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1 mg/day) and is applied twice weekly. Esclim(tm) provides a unique ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) matrix system with flexible foam backing to assure suppleness that follows the movements of a woman's skin.
About Women First HealthCare, Inc.
Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFHC) is a San Diego-based specialty pharmaceutical company. Founded in 1996, its mission is to help midlife women make informed choices regarding their health care and to provide pharmaceutical products -- the Company's primary emphasis -- and lifestyle products to meet their needs. Women First HealthCare is specifically targeted to women age 40+ and their clinicians. An internationally recognized Health Advisory Board of experts in women's health guides Women First HealthCare in the development of information and products for women and clinicians as women transition from perimenopause through postmenopause. The Company operates in two segments: Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Business. Product focus currently includes estrogen replenishment, headache/pain management, antibacterial/urinary tract infection management, dietary supplementation and self-care/lifestyle. Further information about Women First HealthCare can be found online at www.womenfirst.com, About Us and Investor Relations. Information about the Company's As We Change(r) national mail order catalog and Internet retailer can also be found online at www.aswechange.com.
About Esclim(tm)
Esclim(tm) (estradiol transdermal system) is indicated for the relief of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. The most commonly reported side effects of Esclim(tm) are those typical of estrogen replenishment therapy: breast tenderness, headache, nausea and abdominal pain. Estrogens have been reported to increase the risk of endometrial carcinoma in postmenopausal women. Estrogens are contraindicated in patients with known or suspected pregnancy, undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding, known or suspected breast cancer, known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia, or active thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders. For more information about this product and to see the package insert, please visit www.womenfirst.com, Rx Products area.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, and Women First HealthCare, Inc. cautions you that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Women First HealthCare, Inc. disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including (i) we have incurred significant losses since we were founded in November 1996, and if midlife women do not use, and their clinicians do not recommend, the products we offer, we will experience losses in the future; (ii) there is a limited market awareness of our Company and the products and services we offer; (iii) we may not be able to identify appropriate licensing or acquisition candidates in the future or to take advantage of the opportunities we identify; (iv) we and our products face significant competition; (v) if we do not successfully manage any growth we experience, we may experience increased expenses without corresponding revenue increases; (vi) we are dependent on single sources of supply for all of the products we offer; (vii) reduced consumer confidence could adversely affect sales by our Consumer Business Division; (viii) we have incurred significant debt obligations which will require us to make debt service payments in the future; and (ix) additional factors set forth in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2000 and its Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001.