SAN DIEGO, Calif., Sept. 4, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFHC) today announced that its estrogen patch, Esclim(tm), will be added by AdvancePCS (Nasdaq:ADVP) to its Performance Drug List (PDL) for at least a one-year listing effective January 1, 2002. The PDL, which is a guide to excellent values within specific therapeutic categories for clients and their members, helps physicians identify products that maximize clinical results and economic value. With the listing, Women First will join one other company and three other products in the AdvancePCS transdermal hormone replacement category, a segment with an estimated $50 million in annual sales. Women First expects the listing, with promotional support from AdvancePCS, to continue to increase revenue opportunities for Esclim(tm) by impacting physician prescribing habits and product pull-through.
This third major negotiation for Esclim(tm) builds on the momentum of other contracts Women First has announced for the product during the past nine months including its formulary partnership agreement with AdvancePCS (announced March 8, 2001) and its nationwide purchasing agreement with Novation (announced December 21, 2000).
Saundra L. Childs, Women First vice president - pharmaceuticals, stated, "We are very pleased to expand our significant alliance with AdvancePCS, which serves 75+ million health plan members -- one of every four Americans -- and manages $21 billion annually in prescription drug spending. The PDL listing underscores the beneficial relationship between Women First and AdvancePCS, the country's leading pharmacy benefit services organization. AdvancePCS supports its PDL by communicating to all members and clinicians the products in this preferred category. We expect this strategic PDL addition to maximize our integrated marketing and distribution efforts for Esclim(tm) and enhance ongoing clinician dialogue regarding the product."
Women First markets Esclim(tm) exclusively in the U.S. under a distribution and licensing agreement with Laboratoires Fournier S.A. 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 five dosage options and is applied twice weekly. Esclim's(tm) patented transdermal patch technology is specifically designed for efficacy and comfort. Approved in 20 countries and the leading estrogen transdermal patch in France, Esclim(tm) has been studied in more than 20 clinical trials involving over 2,400 women. The patch has achieved high acceptance while demonstrating a very low incidence of skin irritation, which can be a problem in some patients using estrogen patches. Women First is currently conducting a Phase IV Clinical Trial involving 300 clinicians and 750 patients throughout the U.S. Results are expected in the first half of 2002.
About Women First HealthCare, Inc.
Founded in 1996, Women First HealthCare, Inc. is a San Diego-based specialty pharmaceutical company. Its mission is to help midlife women make informed choices regarding their health care needs and to provide pharmaceutical and lifestyle products to meet those needs. Women First is specifically targeted to women age 40+ and their clinicians. The Company's Pharmaceutical Division, which includes a nationwide team of experienced sales specialists, contacts primarily OB/GYNs and Nurse Practitioners with estrogen replenishment options -- ORTHO-EST(r) Tablets (estropipate) and Esclim(tm) (estradiol transdermal system) -- and the prescription headache management product, Midrin(r) (isometheptene mucate, USP, dichloralphenazone, USP and acetaminophen, USP). The Consumer Business is responsible for Daily Difference(tm) dietary supplements, developed in consultation with Tufts University School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and the Company's line of self-care products available through its As We Change(r) national mail order catalog and Internet retailer, www.aswechange.com. Trialogue(tm), the Corporate Marketing Division, is responsible for providing access to Women First's network of opinion leaders and clinicians through strategic marketing programs for sale to major pharmaceutical companies. The Company's business strategy includes the acquisition and licensing of additional prescription products that support its mission. Further information about Women First can be found online at www.womenfirst.com.
ORTHO-EST(r) Tablets and Esclim(tm) are indicated for the relief of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. ORTHO-EST(r) Tablets are also indicated for the prevention of osteoporosis. The most commonly reported side effects of ORTHO-EST(r) Tablets and 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. Midrin(r) is indicated for relief of tension and vascular headaches. Midrin(r) is contraindicated in glaucoma and/or severe cases of renal disease, hypertension, organic heart disease, hepatic disease, and in those patients who are on monoamine-oxidase (MAO) inhibitor therapy. Caution should be observed in hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and after recent cardiovascular attacks. Adverse reactions can include transient dizziness and skin rash in hypersensitive patients, which can usually be eliminated by reducing dosage. For more information about these products or 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 continue to experience significant losses; (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, co-promotion 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; and (vii) 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 ending June 30, 2001.
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CONTACT: Women First HealthCare, Inc., San Diego
Charles M. Caporale, Vice President/CFO
(858) 509-3806
ccaporale@womenfirst.com
Diane Donohue, Director, Public Relations
(858) 509-3860
ddonohue@womenfirst.com