SAN DIEGO, Aug. 7, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFHC), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has launched its Synalgos(r) DC Capsules (drocode (dihydrocodeine) bitartrate, aspirin and caffeine) in a convenient blister package of 12 capsules that the Company is calling a "painpak." A total of 225 sales representatives will be detailing the product to the medical community. Synalgos(r) DC painpak will have a highly targeted and comprehensive promotional campaign supported by WFHC's own direct sales force, calling on OB/GYN's, and Professional Detailing, Inc. (PDI), a contract sales organization. This campaign will focus on physician specialties that prescribe C-III opiates for post procedural acute pain and inflammation. Women First acquired Synalgos(r) DC from Wyeth in November 2001.
Synalgos(r) DC Capsules, a Schedule III drug, are indicated for relief of moderate to moderately severe pain and compete in the codeine and combination market, estimated by NDC Health to be a $4 billion market.
Commenting on the launch, Saundra Childs, vice president of the pharmaceutical division, said: "Synalgos(r) DC has a unique advantage over other products in its class because it contains enough aspirin to reduce the inflammation often associated with minor surgical procedures combined with caffeine to help reduce drowsiness. WFHC has chosen to repackage the product to allow for short-term doses to be dispensed to the patient, which address both cost and compliance. By including only 12 capsules, we are providing patients with a convenient, easy to use regimen from which they can progress to over-the-counter products."
Vice president and CFO, Charles Caporale commented, "Our expectations for the launch are included in the guidance we have previously provided, so we are not amending our guidance at this time."
About Synalgos(r) DC Capsules
Synalgos(r) DC Capsules (drocode (dihydrocodeine) bitartrate, aspirin and caffeine) are indicated for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain. Salicylates (aspirin) should be used with extreme caution in the presence of peptic ulcer or coagulation abnormalities. Dihydrocodeine can produce drug dependence of the codeine type. Synalgos(r) DC should be given with caution to certain patients, such as the elderly or debilitated. The most frequently observed adverse reactions include light-headedness, dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, pruritus and skin reactions.
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. Further information about Women First HealthCare can be found online at www.womenfirst.com, About Us and Investor Relations.
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 acquisition, licensing, or co-promotion candidates in the future or to take advantage of the opportunities we identify; (iv) we and our products face significant competition; (v) our products may not achieve or maintain market acceptance for a variety of reasons, including as a result of recent research published by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health concerning estrogen replenishment therapy and combination estrogen/progestin hormonal replenishment therapy in healthy menopausal women, respectively; (vi) 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) our third party suppliers and licensors may terminate their agreements with us earlier than we expect, and as a result we may be unable to continue to market and sell the related pharmaceutical products on an exclusive basis or at all; (ix ) we have incurred significant debt obligations which will require us to make debt service payments in the future; and (x) 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, 2001 and its Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2002.