THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY REPORTS:

CHICAGO, 19 July 2000 - With U. S. Centers for Disease Control statistics showing increasing sexually transmitted disease (STD) including HIV/AIDS infection among American women, public health officials and policymakers are examining ways to help women protect themselves and their families from the dreaded diseases. Recent studies show that having an effective condom distribution program including The Female Condom™ can be a cost-effective tool in preventing HIV and other STDs.

"Studies show that women counseled about the importance of consistently using a protective method, and introduced to a method which is under their control -- The Female Condom -- show a high level of determination to try it and to continue to use it," said Mary Ann Leeper, Ph.D., president of The Female Health Company, manufacturer and marketer of The Female Condom. "The cost savings are realized with increased protected sex acts and subsequent decreased infections, thus preventing significant public health treatment and care spending."
Dr. Leeper presented the results of two studies and introduced a model public health program to delegates attending the National Conference of State Legislatures annual meeting in Chicago today.

At the recent International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, Peter Lamty, senior vice president of Family Health International from North Carolina, stated in his opening plenary session that while other women-controlled options for prevention are likely being researched, The Female Condom will be the only product available for sometime that helps women worldwide protect themselves against STDs/HIV/AIDS. First introduced in 1992 after more than six years of product research and development, The Female Condom is now available in more than 75 countries.

We have learned that The Female Condom must be integrated into existing health programs," said Dr. Leeper. "These studies reinforce what our company's experience shows - effective prevention involves a wide range of individuals and organizations - from health providers and program managers to community-based and non-governmental organizations. We all need to work together to slow the spread of STDs/HIV/AIDS."

Dr. Leeper proposed a model for Female Condom programming at the neighborhood level developed by her company in the past eight years. The keys to its success are the leadership of a local Community Planning Group and the strong involvement and participation of all levels of public health programs - county, city, state and federal. The cost-saving program design and implementation includes step-by-step guides, multiple funding streams and training for health care providers. 

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 communication 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.

  ###

William R. Gargiulo, Jr.      Mary Ann Leeper,Ph.D.        Yvette Anne Venable

231.526.1244                        312.280.1119               312.397.6070

If you have any questions or comments, please send them to us info@femalehealth.com