New Survey Reveals Women are More Aware of the Ingredients in Their Food and Clothing Than the Ingredients of Their Birth Control Pills

A new national survey reveals women pay much more attention to what's inside their food and clothing than what's inside their birth control pills. The survey was conducted in February 2005 by International Communications Research (ICR) of 400 women between the ages of 18 - 35 who are currently using, or have ever used, birth control pills. As many as 74 percent of women know what's inside their food and 60 percent know what's inside their clothing, but only 15 percent of women know what's inside their birth control pills(1a,b,c).

The need for women to gain a better understanding of what's inside birth control pills is underscored by the fact that 65 percent of the women surveyed have switched two or more times between different types of birth control pills,(1d) with just over one-third switching because of side effects(1e). Of the women who switched birth control pills, more than 71 percent are satisfied with their switch(1f). This clearly indicates that while all pills may be equally effective, women can have different experiences with different pills. This also means that more than one-quarter of these women are still searching for the right pill.

"The adage 'it's what's inside that counts' can and should be applied to birth control pills," said Gloria Bachmann, M.D., Associate Dean for Women's Health, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School). "There are differences between birth control pills based on the types and amounts of hormones they contain. One example of this is the progestin drospirenone, which has unique properties(2)."

Since there are more than 40 brands of birth control pills to choose from today,(3) it's important for women to learn about their birth control pills' ingredients, and what the differences may mean.

Education about birth control options had a positive impact on the life of Erin Callahan, a 31-year-old medical student in New York City. "I tried different birth control pills, but never found the one that was quite right for me," said Erin. "I was feeling frustrated, so I talked to my doctor about the differences between birth control pills. My physician recommended Yasmin(R), so I decided to try it. It's made a big difference for me."

Yasmin contains drospirenone, which has unique antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid properties.

"It's possible that drospirenone made the difference for Erin," noted Dr. Bachmann. "My advice to women about birth control pills is talk to your doctor about what he or she prescribes. Together, you can determine which one is best suited for you."

  Other interesting findings from the survey include:

   * Seventy-three percent of women polled admit they have purchased one
     food item over another based on its ingredients and 60 percent have
     bought an item of clothing based on its materials(1d,e).
   * Although 82 percent admit to not knowing what's inside their birth
     control pills, 74 percent believe there are differences between birth
     control pills and 71 percent agree that certain ingredients may have
     certain advantages for them(1g,h,i).
   * More than three-fourths of women believe the specific type of progestin
     in their birth control pills is important, but only two percent know
     that drospirenone is a form of progestin(1j,k).

"It is very important to take a pill consistently every day to be effective," said Marie Foegh, M.D., DSc, Vice President, Medical Affairs FHC at Berlex Laboratories. "At the time when a woman switches birth control pills, she may discontinue one brand before filling the new prescription. Left unprotected for even one day, she is vulnerable to an unintended pregnancy." An estimated 20 percent of the 3.5 million annual unintended pregnancies in the U.S. are due to pill discontinuation and compliance difficulties, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute(4).

Important Information about Yasmin(R) and All Oral Contraceptives

Yasmin contains 3 mg of the progestin drospirenone that has antimineralocorticoid activity, including the potential for hyperkalemia in high-risk patients, comparable to a 25 mg dose of spironolactone. Yasmin should not be used in patients with conditions that predispose to hyperkalemia (ie, renal insufficiency, hepatic dysfunction, or adrenal insufficiency). Women receiving daily, long-term treatment for chronic conditions or diseases with medications that may increase serum potassium should have their serum potassium levels checked during the first treatment cycle.*

OCs do not protect against HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. The use of OCs is associated with increased risks of several serious side effects. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects; women who take OCs are strongly advised not to smoke.

   * Drugs that may increase serum potassium when taken daily and long-term
     for chronic conditions include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-ll receptor
     antagonists, potassium-sparing diuretics, heparin, aldosterone
     antagonists, and NSAIDs.

  Information for Consumers

Women who would like to learn more about Yasmin should visit http://www.yasmin-us.com/ or call the toll-free number 866-YASMIN1 (927-6461) to receive a complimentary, informational product brochure by mail.

About Berlex, Inc.

Committed to addressing unmet medical needs, Berlex develops and markets diagnostic imaging agents, treatments in the areas of female health care and specialized therapeutics for life-threatening and disabling diseases in the fields of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, oncology, and gastroenterology. Berlex has business operations in New Jersey, California and Washington. For more information, please visit http://www.berlex.com/.

Certain statements in this press release that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and Berlex's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Berlex, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.

   * The survey, conducted by International Communications Research (ICR)
     based out of Media, Pennsylvania, polled approximately 400 women ages
     18 to 35 years in the United States.  The random-sample survey was
     conducted via telephone from February 2-23, 2005.

   1. a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k International Communications Research (ICR)
      study conducted from February 2-23, 2005 using approximately 400 women
      between the ages of 18 and 35 years in the United States
   2. Berlex Data on file
   3. http://www.healthywomen.org/
   4. Compliance, Counseling and Satisfaction with Oral Contraceptives:  A
      Prospective Evaluation, Rosenberg et al, Family Planning Perspectives,
      Vol 30, No. 2, March/April 1998

Source: Berlex, Inc.

CONTACT: Kim Schillace, Berlex, Inc., +1-973-487-2461; or Nicole Scull,
Ogilvy Public Relations, +1-212-880-5332

Web site: http://www.berlex.com/
http://www.yasmin-us.com/
http://www.healthywomen.org/