Salonpas Provides Powerful Relief When and Where It's Needed With the Launch of Three New Pill-Free Products

FLORHAM PARK, NJ--(Marketwire - Mar 5, 2012) - The Institute of Medicine reports that nearly a third of Americans experience long-lasting pain, which is costing the nation at least $558 billion per year in medical bills, sick days and lost productivity. Hisamitsu America, a division of Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., and the manufacturers of Salonpas®, www.salonpas.us, the one and only over-the-counter ("OTC") pain patch that is FDA approved and clinically proven, today announces the release of three new pill-free OTC products to alleviate pain.

Salonpas' new pain relieving products are available at leading retailers nationwide, and include:

• Salonpas^® Pain Relieving GEL-PATCH HOT-L introduces the healing powers of pepper, representing a medical advancement in patch therapy by featuring capsaicin (0.025%) and menthol (1.25%) in a soothing cloth that is ideal for relief of minor aches and pains in the shoulder, upper back and lower back.
  
  "Capsaicin is an ingredient found in some hot peppers, including cayenne peppers, which makes the peppers spicy hot," says John Incledon, President & CEO, Hisamitsu America, Inc. "When capsaicin is used on the skin topically, it helps relieve pain by first stimulating and then diminishing the intensity of pain signals in the body," says Dr. Ken Kronhaus, M.D., Ph.D. and Host of Good Day Health with Dr. Ken. "The Salonpas Pain Relieving GEL-PATCH HOT provides up to 8 hours of pain relief."
  
  
• Nothing beats a good massage... until now. Hisamitsu America introduces Salonpas® Pain Relieving Massage Foam which delivers a new pain relief sensation for tough pain. "Combining the benefits of self-massage with a powerful, clean-drying medicine provides relief for even tough pain," says Dr. Kronhaus. "With active ingredients menthol (3%) and methyl salicylate (10%), the Salonpas® Pain Relieving Massage Foam is an easy-to-use topical analgesic that delivers pain relief in seconds. For the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain associated with strains, sprains, bruises, simple backache and arthritis, simply spray the foam onto the fingertips or palm for no longer than 3 seconds, and massage well on the affected area until the crackling sound stops."
  
  
• Pain sufferers can now experience a blast of cooling pain relief with Salonpas® Pain Relieving Jet Spray. When you experience pain, you want fast relief. With active ingredients menthol (3%) and methyl salicylate (10%), the Salonpas® Pain Relieving Jet Spray is an easy-to-use topical analgesic for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains associated with strains, sprains, bruises, simple backache and arthritis. Using a highly pressurized jet force, the Salonpas Pain Relieving Jet Spray delivers a strong cooling effect to the skin minus any greasy feeling or messy drip. Tuck the Salonpas Pain Relieving Jet Spray into your gym or sports bag, and get a fast blast of pain relief anytime, anywhere.

"Achieving good health, freedom from pain, and a lifestyle rich in vitality is the foundation for all we do at Hisamitsu," says Incledon. "While most Americans turn to OTC pills to relieve pain, topical analgesic pain relief -- as found in patches, creams, foams and sprays -- is gaining greater market recognition, and we are proud to have been voted the 'Best New Topical Analgesic in 2012' by Better Homes & Gardens."

"While transdermal and other topical drug therapies are more popular in Europe and Asia, the United States is still predominately a pill culture," says Dr. Kronhaus. "When people self-medicate with over-the-counter pain pills, they run the risk of potential drug interactions that can lead to unintended or unsuspected dangerous side effects, such as liver failure or heart damage. A locally-acting transdermal patch is designed to deliver controlled-release medication slowly through the skin for a long period of time. By relying on transdermal pain patches, topical foams, sprays and gels for pain relief -- without the use of pills -- you can be assured of making a safer choice."

Hisamitsu America is also proud to announce sleek new packaging for their marque pain patch products: the SALONPAS® PAIN RELIEF PATCH and SALONPAS^® ARTHRITIS PAIN PATCH, which are the first and only FDA-approved OTC pain relieving patches, and manufactured using new ultra-thin Comfort Stretch™ technology that provides effective pain relief for up to 12 hours.

About Hisamitsu America:
Hisamitsu America is the US division of Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., founded in 1847, which has specialized in transdermal drug delivery system technology since the introduction of its Salonpas line of patches in 1934. The SALONPAS^® product line, which gained early acceptance in Asia and now sells in 50 countries, has pioneered the development of transdermal patches to relieve everyday aches and pains. Today, the Salonpas Pain Relief Patches are the first and only FDA-approved OTC pain patch. For more information, visit www.salonpas.us and www.hisamitsu.co.jp/english.