FORMER U.S. SURGEON GENERAL ELDERS JOINS PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY.

NEW YORK -- Jan. 31, 2006 -- Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, MD, has been named Medical Director of Apothecus Pharmaceutical Corporation, it was announced today. The appointment is effective February 1, 2006.  

Apothecus Pharmaceutical, manufacturer and marketer of VCF(R) Vaginal Contraceptive Film(R), the leading non-hormonal spermicide, is a privately held company headquartered in New York. Dr. Elders served as the country's chief physician during the Clinton Administration.

According to Daniel Leon, president of Apothecus, Dr. Elders will contribute to product development and will assist in raising public awareness about a range of health issues for women of all ages.

A long-time advocate of improved health care practices for the underprivileged, particularly young females, Dr. Elders has called unplanned teen-age pregnancy an epidemic of serious health and socioeconomic proportions.

"Vast numbers of people, especially teenagers and others who may not be able to afford doctor visits, are using no birth control at all," Dr. Elders says. "VCF is a safe, effective product recommended by thousands of Ob/Gyns, and yet is available at the retail counter without a prescription. I believe in the VCF product and therefore am delighted to join Apothecus. I look forward to helping the company with its important work."

Mr. Leon said VCF provides the added dimension of virtual unobtrusiveness. "Neither partner can feel it. It thus helps to put a woman in full control of her reproductive health. Also, VCF is the only OTC barrier spermicide whose efficacy has proved to last for three full hours," he said.

Mr. Leon commented that while VCF is the fastest growing product in its category, "the vast majority of potential users are not even aware of its existence due to network restrictions on consumer advertising. Sadly, the networks have succumbed to pressure to advertise only birth control pills obtained through written prescription. Consequently, it is difficult to reach many potential customers, especially those who can't afford to visit an Ob/Gyn. This is one of the obstacles that we and Dr. Elders hope to change."

Manufactured in the USA and distributed by Apothecus Pharmaceutical Corp., VCF is available in drugstores nationwide. For information, call toll-free at 1-800-227-2393 or visit www.apothecus.com.