CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Female Health Company (Nasdaq:FHCO) announced that it has signed a contract with John Snow, Inc.(JSI), for the supply of 12 million FC2 female condoms for HIV/AIDS prevention programs supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in developing countries worldwide. Under JSI, the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT will work to increase the availability of essential health supplies to clients and customers around the world.
For many years, USAID has been among one of the largest international donors of contraceptives and condoms. The Agency developed an operational plan for its HIV/AIDS "expanded response" strategy which includes the establishment of the Commodity Fund (CF) to centrally-finance male and female condoms for HIV/AIDS programs and to ensure their expedited delivery to countries. Through the Commodity Fund and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID provides male and female condoms to Missions for HIV/AIDS prevention activities.
O. B. Parrish, Chairman and CEO of FHC, praised USAID's actions stating, "In continuing female condom procurement, USAID is demonstrating its commitment to supporting HIV/AIDS prevention efforts around the world. This commitment is particularly critical as the global community recognizes the increasing numbers of females affected by AIDS." UNAIDS reports that worldwide, 33.2 million people, 15.4 million of which are women aged 15 years and older, are now living with HIV. The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, a UNAIDS Initiative, is calling for more money in AIDS programs that work for women including closing the funding gap for the female condom and microbicides development."
About The Female Health Company
The Female Health Company (FHC), headquartered in Chicago, IL, is the maker of the FC Female Condom (FC1 and FC2), a revolutionary option offering women dual protection against both sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancy. FHC was created as a worldwide company in February 1996 with the purchase of Chartex Resources Ltd., the holder of exclusive worldwide rights to FC1. The Company holds exclusive product and technology patents for FC1 in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the People's Republic of China, South Korea and Japan. FC2 patents have been granted in Australia, Canada and South Africa and are pending in various other countries. FHC is the sole manufacturer and marketer of the FC1 and FC2 female condoms in the world. The Female Health Company and its partners currently market the Female Condom under FCFemale Condom(r), FC2 Female Condom(r), Reality(r), Femidom(r), Femy(r), and Care(r).
Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Action of 1995:
The statements in this release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based upon the Company's current plans and strategies, and reflect the Company's current assessment of the risks and uncertainties related to its business, including such things as product demand and market acceptance; the economic and business environment and the impact of government pressures; currency risks; capacity; efficiency and supply constraints; and other risks detailed in the Company's press releases, shareholder communications and Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Actual events affecting the Company and the impact of such events on the Company's operations may vary from those currently anticipated.
For more information about the Female Health Company visit the Company's web site at www.femalehealthcompany.com
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