Houston Launches Innovative Partnership to Expand Access to the FC2 Female Condom

HOUSTON, March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Female Health Company (FHC) (Nasdaq: FHCO) is teaming up with state and local health departments and local community-based organizations to provide Houston women with access to the FC2 Female Condom®, the only female-initiated method to prevent both sexually transmitted infections (including HIV/AIDS) and unintended pregnancy that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FC2 will be introduced on March 10 at a series of events at clinics, hospitals, community-based health centers, and college campuses.  The events, timed to coincide with National Women and Girls' HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, will provide participants with free FC2 Female Condoms as well as education on their use.  

FC2 will also be available for purchase at select Walgreens locations in the Houston area.  The cost of a pack of three FC2 Female Condoms ranges between $5.99 and $7.99. Walgreens stocks FC2 in more than 600 stores nationwide.    

Since 1999, as reported by AIDS Foundation Houston and Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, 6,519 new HIV infections have been diagnosed among youth under the age of 30 in Houston, including 922 teenagers.  In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to report that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is taking an increasing toll on women and girls.  Women of color, particularly black women, are disproportionately impacted by the disease; they comprise both the majority of new HIV and AIDS cases among women, and the majority of women living with the disease.

"Each year we reach over 50,000 Houstonians through our education and outreach programs," said Nike Lukan, Director of Prevention Services for AIDS Foundation Houston. "To be able to talk about and offer FC2 as an option to further prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is an added benefit to our constituents."

Each of the 17 separate organizations hosting FC2 Female Condom launch events on March 10 has trained its participating representatives on how to educate its constituents on the use the FC2 female condom. Partners include the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Houston Department of Health and Human Services, AIDS Foundation Houston, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, YWCA Houston, and a number of local colleges and universities.  One event will include the introduction of a new "Status Red" lip gloss developed by LAMIK Beauty, a Houston-based cosmetics company, and the training of local hairstylists on how to engage their female clients with information on safer sex and the FC2 Female Condom.

"We are very pleased that the FC2 Female Condom is now available in Houston," said Susan Rokes, HIV Program Director for Planned Parenthood.  "This is a big step toward improving sexuality education and promoting reproductive health care."  

FC2 is currently the only FDA-approved prevention method that can be initiated and controlled by women. When used correctly and consistently, FC2 can prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancy.  The FC2 Female Condom provides an alternative to either unprotected sex or to male condom usage.

"FHC is privileged to work with such great community organizations to introduce another option for prevention of both sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies," said Mary Ann Leeper, FHC's senior strategic advisor.  "FHC is proud to be a part of this very important endeavor; we are committed to working with cities across the U.S., public health departments, and community organizations to increase the option available to promote safer sex."

About The Female Health Company

The Female Health Company, based in Chicago, Illinois, manufactures and markets the FC2 Female Condom® (FC2), which is available in the U.S. and about 100 other countries around the world.  The Company owns certain worldwide rights to the FC2 Female Condom®, including patents that have been issued in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Japan, China, Spain, Mexico, Greece and Turkey and are pending in various countries.  The FC2 Female Condom® is the only available FDA-approved product controlled by a woman that offers dual protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancy.  The World Health Organization (WHO) has cleared the FC2 Female Condom for purchase by U.N. agencies.  

"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

The Statements in this release which are not historical fact are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are 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, and are made as of the date of this release.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information or future events, developments or circumstances.  Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties.  The Company's actual results and future developments could differ materially from the results or developments expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.  Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:  product demand and market acceptance; competition in the Company's markets and the risk of new competitors and new competitive product introductions; the Company's reliance on its international partners in the consumer sector and on the level of spending on the female condom by country governments, global donors and other public health organizations in the global public sector; the economic and business environment and the impact of government pressures; risks involved in doing business on an international level, including currency risks, regulatory requirements, political risks, export restrictions and other trade barriers; the Company's production capacity, efficiency and supply constraints; and other risks detailed in the Company's press releases, shareholder communication, and Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.  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 visit the Company's website at http://www.femalehealth.com and http://www.femalecondom.org. If you would like to be added to the Company's e-mail alert list, please send an e-mail to [email protected].

SOURCE The Female Health Company