The Female Health Company Reports USAID/JSI Order Increased from 12 to 24 Million FC2 Female Condoms

CHICAGO, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Female Health Company (Nasdaq: FHCO) provides FC2 Female Condoms funded by USAID through the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT implemented by John Snow, Inc. (JSI). Recently, JSI amended its contract for the supply of FC2 condoms from 12 million units to up to 24 million units for execution within fiscal 2011. USAID/JSI retains the right to further increase the order at their discretion. The FC2 Female condoms will be used in HIV/AIDS prevention programs supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in developing countries worldwide. The USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, which is funded by USAID, works to increase the availability of essential health supplies to clients and customers around the world. The FC2 Female Condom is the only FDA-approved product under a women's control that offers dual protection against both sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy.

For many years, USAID has been among one of the largest international donors of contraceptives and condoms. The Agency developed an operational plan for its HIV/AIDS "expanded response" strategy which includes the establishment of the Commodity Fund (CF) to centrally-finance male and female condoms for HIV/AIDS programs and to ensure their expedited delivery to countries. Through the Commodity Fund and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID provides male and female condoms to Missions for HIV/AIDS prevention activities.

O.B. Parrish, Chairman and CEO of FHC, praised USAID's actions stating, "In expanding its on-going female condom procurement, USAID is demonstrating its commitment to supporting HIV/AIDS prevention efforts around the world. This commitment is particularly critical as the global community recognizes the increasing numbers of females affected by AIDS." UNAIDS reports that worldwide, 33.2 million people, 15.4 million of which are women aged 15 years and older, are now living with HIV. In 2009, The World Health Organization announced that HIV/AIDS is the number one cause of death globally for females aged 15-44 years old. The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, a UNAIDS Initiative, is calling for more money in AIDS programs that work for women including closing the funding gap for the female condom and microbicides development.

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 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, Spain, Greece, Turkey and the People's Republic of China, and 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 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 facts 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 government pressures; currency risks; capacity; efficiency and supply constraints; and other risks detailed in the Company's press releases, shareholder communications and Securities and Exchanges Commission filings. Actual events affecting the Company and the impact of such events on the Company's operations may vary from this 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