CHICAGO, April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Female Health Company today announced that it signed an agreement with Fuji Latex Co, Ltd. appointing Fuji Latex as FHC's exclusive marketer and distributor of the female condom in Japan. The Female Health Company (FHC) and Fuji Latex signed an Importation and Quality Agreement in January, 2004 which began repositioning the FC female condom's availability in Japan. Since that time Fuji Latex received regulatory approval to import the FC Female Condom (FC) in Japan and FHC and Fuji Latex have now finalized the approach for its commercial marketing in the Japanese Market. The agreement was signed March 28, 2006 and completes FHC's plan to bring the FC female condom to Japanese women.
In Japan, the largest male condom market in the developed world, male condoms are used as the main form of contraception. Fuji Latex is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of male condoms in Japan having a significant market share of the male condom market. Previous studies conducted in Japan showed that Japanese women and their partners found using the FC female condom acceptable. FHC and Fuji Latex believe that the combined know how and expertise of the two companies results in a strong position for successful integration of the FC female condom in the overall Japanese condom market.
Fuji Latex headquartered in Tokyo has a solid manufacturing base and an extensive sales and marketing force throughout Japan. Distribution and promotion of the FC female condom is scheduled to begin this month.
The FC Female Condom is available in over 100 countries in various programs in both the private and public sectors. UNAIDS supported studies show that when FC is available as an option, there is a significant reduction in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) compared to when only the male condom is available. Additional published research highlights that incorporating FC into prevention programs can be cost saving as it reduces the number of unprotected sexual acts, the incidence of STDs, and the costs related to treatment and care.
FC is the only product initiated by women that helps to prevent STDs, including HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy. It is made of polyurethane, which is strong and unlikely to rip or tear during use and unlikely to cause allergic reactions. It is manufactured in a state of the art facility in London, England.
The Female Health Company, based in Chicago, owns certain worldwide rights to The Female Condom including patents which have been issued in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Spain, The People's Republic of China, and Canada.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Action of 1995: The statements in this release which are not historical fact 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 governmental regulations, both in the United States and abroad; the effects of competitive products and pricing 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, dial toll-free via fax, 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter company code "FHCO." Also, visit FHC's Websites at http://www.femalehealth.com and http://www.femalecondom.org .
Female Health CompanyCONTACT: Investors, William R. Gargiulo, Jr., +1-231-526-1244, or Business- Product, Mary Ann Leeper, Ph.D., +1-312-595-9123 x223, both for FemaleHealth Company
