Stiefel Laboratories Donates First Dermatology Ward In Tanzania, East Africa

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. today announced it has donated $300,000 to finance construction of the first dermatology hospital ward in Tanzania, East Africa. Construction of the Herbert A. Stiefel Dermatology Ward will begin this spring and should be completed within one year. The wing of the hospital will be named in honor of Herbert Stiefel, a prominent member of six generations of Stiefels who have built the company into the world's largest independent pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070201/CLTH179 )

The ward will be part of the Regional Dermatology Training Center at the Kilamanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi, Tanzania. Currently, KCMC, the lone consulting hospital within hundreds of miles, has only a dermatology outpatient clinic. Patients come to the clinic from throughout the region, often traveling great distances.

"Stiefel Laboratories is proud to sponsor this much-needed facility," said Charles Stiefel, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. "It illustrates the sense of commitment Stiefel Laboratories has to improving the quality of care for people around the world."

Dr. David McLean, head of Cancer Prevention Programs at the British Columbia Cancer Agency and a member of the Board of the International League of Dermatological Societies, the organization that identified a need for the ward, approached Stiefel Laboratories about contributing toward the ward's construction.

"From the beginning," McLean said, "Stiefel Laboratories was eager not only to contribute, but also to sponsor the project. This is an act of true generosity. There are no sales to speak of in Africa. Sales will never return the investment. This is truly a selfless gesture on the part of Stiefel Laboratories."

The ward will serve patients in one of the poorest countries on Earth, providing comprehensive care for diseases of the skin such as leprosy, albinism, skin cancers, skin ulcers, infections, skin manifestations of HIV and other serious skin disorders.

McLean said the ward's impact will be both immediate and far-reaching because not only will it allow for better patient care onsite, but it also will enhance the training of dermatology officers, students and residents.

"The greatest effect," McLean said, "will be amplifying what is done at the ward by training physicians who will then return to their countries of origin to treat patients and train local health professionals."

Charles Stiefel told his uncle last summer about plans for the ward and for naming it in his honor. Herbert Stiefel died in November 2006 of complications associated with leukemia. "My uncle was thrilled about the honor and the opportunity to significantly impact the practice of dermatology and the lives of the people of East Africa," Stiefel said.

About Stiefel Laboratories, Inc.

Founded in 1847, Stiefel Laboratories is the world's largest independent pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology. The company manufactures and markets a variety of prescription and non-prescription dermatological products. Some of the best-known brands include Sarna(R), Duac(R) Topical Gel, MimyX(TM) Cream, Olux(R), Brevoxyl(R) Creamy Wash, Oilatum(R), Soriatane(R), Evoclin(TM), Verdeso(TM) and Luxiq(R). Its wholly-owned global network is comprised of more than 30 subsidiaries, including manufacturing plants in six countries, research and development facilities on four continents and products marketed in more than 100 countries around the world.

Stiefel Laboratories supplements its R&D efforts by aggressively seeking acquisitions of dermatological product lines and companies around the world. To learn more about Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., visit www.stiefel.com.

CONTACT: Denise Ulrich of Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., +1-678-765-4104,cellular, +1-770-656-9338, dulrich@stiefel.com

Web site: http://www.stiefel.com/