CRH Medical receives Japanese patent approval for the CRH O'Regan System(TM)

VANCOUVER, March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - CRH Medical Corporation (CRM:TSX-V) announced today that the Japanese Patent Office has provided a Notice of Allowance for a patent application filed by the Company and related to CRH Medical's hemorrhoid technology, the CRH O'Regan System(TM). The Japanese patent is expected to be issued in the next several weeks and will provide additional protection to the Company's proprietary technology platform.

Edward Wright, Chief Executive Officer of CRH Medical states, "Japan is one of many countries we have under review for further international distribution opportunities and the granting of patent rights, such as this one in Japan, is an important part of our overall strategy. Our goal internationally is to replicate our U.S. strategy of identifying key opinion leaders as early adopters and leverage their experience to help drive demand. Additionally, we are looking for distribution partners who have the same commitment to training, support, and patient education as CRH. We believe our proprietary platform has worldwide potential and, as evidenced by our recent expansion to China, we plan to take advantage of our unique position and strong portfolio of intellectual properties to grow our business."

About CRH Medical Corporation:

CRH Medical Corporation specializes in the treatment of hemorrhoids utilizing its proven treatment protocol and patented proprietary technology. CRH's single use, disposable, hemorrhoid technology is safe and highly effective in treating hemorrhoid grades I - IV. CRH Medical employs two commercialization strategies: First, it operates Centers for Colorectal Health facilities in the United States specializing in the treatment of hemorrhoids and fissures, and colon cancer screening. In addition CRH distributes its hemorrhoid banding technology, treatment protocols, operational and marketing expertise as a complete, "turn key" package directly to its partner physicians. The Company's goal is to establish the CRH hemorrhoid technology as the standard for hemorrhoid treatment.

The information in this news release contains so-called "forward-looking" statements. These include statements regarding CRH Medical's expectations and plans relating to its expansion plans for its Centers for Colorectal Health, statements about CRH Medical's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies for the future, which may be indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "we believe", "CRH Medical believes", "management believes", and similar language. All forward-looking statements are based on CRH Medical's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties and to assumptions made. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include: (i) the company's ability to successfully recruit medical professionals for its Centers for Colorectal Health (ii) the company's ability to manufacture its products; (iii) decisions, and the timing of decisions, made by the health regulatory agencies regarding the company's products; (iv) the company's ability to enter into distribution agreements for its products, and to complete and maintain corporate alliances relating to the development, commercialization and use of its technology and products; (v) market acceptance of its technologies and products; and (vi) the competitive environment and impact of technological change. CRH Medical bases its forward-looking statements on information currently available to it, and assumes no obligation to update them.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE CRH Medical Corporation