The Female Health Company Launches Online Store for Direct-to-Consumer Sales

CHICAGO, March 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Female Health Company (NASDAQ - CM: FHCO), maker of the FC2 Female Condom®, today announced the launch of its online store for Direct-to-Consumer retail purchases. The store can be accessed through the Company's website at http://femalehealth.com/ or directly at http://www.shopfemalehealth.com, and a link to the store is available on partner family planning organization websites.

The FC2 Female Condom offers a non-hormonal birth control option under a woman's control that also protects against sexually-transmitted diseases. The only other dual protection option available today is the male condom. Couples who routinely use male condoms often report a surprising satisfaction level when they try FC2 Female Condom due to a more natural and less restrictive sensation.

"FC2 is made of nitrile polymer, which enhances heat transfer, and the loose fitting sheath adheres to the vaginal wall," noted Karen King, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Female Health Company. "Combined, these features lead to a more natural feel when compared to male latex condoms. FC2, which is available in over 144 countries, has been embraced by women around the world but is not well known in the United States. Our recent market research has shown that women are generally unsatisfied with the side effects of hormonal birth control, which often include weight gain, mood disorders and other significant issues. These side effects are exacerbated by the fact that hormonal birth control products are often taken for years. We believe it is time for women in the U.S. to learn about our non-hormonal option, which eliminates such side effects while offering users a more satisfying option to male condoms." 

"We are implementing direct-to-consumer initiatives in multiple markets, including the U.S., Europe and South Africa," continued King. "This represents an important element in our Company's growth strategy, which is focused on driving FC2 utilization and introducing portfolio diversification. We continue to make progress on all fronts towards the implementation of this strategy and remain committed to building long term value for our investors and customers around the world."

The FC2 Female Condom is available to U.S. consumers online through Walgreens.com, Drugstore.com, and now directly from The Female Health Company. Consumers can also join the FC2 social networking community on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Instagram. Support materials, health and wellness updates and shared experiences can also be accessed through these venues. 

In other news, The Female Health Company is progressing well with the delivery of its previously announced and significant Brazil Ministry of Health order. "The strength of our existing business is generating cash to support our growth and portfolio diversification initiatives. As we previously indicated, the majority of the Brazil order will ship in the current fiscal quarter, which we expect to be one of the strongest volume quarters in the Company's history," concluded King.

About The Female Health Company

The Female Health Company, based in Chicago, Illinois, manufactures and markets the FC2 Female Condom® (FC2). Since the Company began distributing FC2 in 2007, the product has been shipped to 144 countries. The Company owns certain worldwide rights to the FC2 Female Condom®, including patents that have been issued in a number of countries around the world. The patents cover key aspects of FC2, including its overall design and manufacturing process. The FC2 Female Condom® is the only currently available female-controlled product approved by FDA that offers dual protection against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) has cleared FC2 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.  Forward-looking statements in this release include statements relating to the timing and amount of shipments under the Brazil order, the Company's expected unit sales for the current fiscal quarter, the Company's ability to successfully implement its growth strategy, and the effect of such strategy on the Company's business and results of operations.  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; government contracting risks, including the appropriations process and funding priorities, potential bureaucratic delays in awarding contracts, process errors, politics or other pressures, and the risk that government tenders and contracts may be subject to cancellation, delay or restructuring; a governmental tender award indicates acceptance of the bidder's price rather than an order or guarantee of the purchase of any minimum number of units, and as a result government ministries or other public sector customers may order and purchase fewer units than the full maximum tender amount; 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; the Company's ability to identify, successfully negotiate and complete suitable acquisitions or other strategic initiatives; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, technologies or products; and other risks detailed in the Company's press releases, shareholder communications and Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014.  Actual events affecting the Company and the impact of such events on the Company's operations may vary from those currently anticipated.

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SOURCE The Female Health Company

Related Links

http://www.femalehealth.com