LAKE PHARMACEUTICALS ENTERS VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION TREATMENT MARKET
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
LAKE PHARMACEUTICALS ENTERS VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION TREATMENT MARKET with the January 1994 launch of Femizol-7 (clotrimazole) vaginal cream, the firm announced Dec. 2. Touted as "fast relief and a cure at a value price" by Lake, Femizol-7 will be available in a 1.5-ounce tube with an optional applicator for $ 9.99 suggested retail. Lake plans to support the Femizol-7 launch with a $ 1.5 mil. advertising campaign, including print ads that are slated to appear in Cosmopolitan, First for Women, Ladies Home Journal, Prevention, Soap Opera Weekly and Woman's Day beginning in March 1994. Advertising for Femizol-7 is being developed in-house. Other promotional activities planned for the clotrimazole product include a "detailed educational pamphlet" and a $ 3 mail- in rebate, of both which are enclosed in packaging of the product. Also included in Femizol-7 packaging are $ 2-off coupons for PMS Releaf, a vitamin/herbal remedy for premenstrual syndrome, and $ 1-off coupons that can be used for any Lake Pharmaceutical women's health product. The introduction of Femizol-7 augments Lake Pharmaceuticals' feminine health product offerings, which include Moist Again, a vaginal moisturizing gel containing aloe vera ("The Tan Sheet" Aug. 9, In Brief), PMS Releaf and Specifics Douches. Lake Pharmaceuticals also markets Yeast-Gard for the relief of symptoms caused by yeast infections. In June, Lake Pharmaceuticals received a warning letter from FDA stating that the ingredients contained in Yeast-Gard are not proven safe and effective as a treatment for vaginal yeast infections ("The Tan Sheet" June 14, p. 16). Other companies marketing clotrimazole-based vaginal yeast infection treatments, apart from Schering-Plough (Gyne Lotrimin), include Miles (Mycelex-7), and private-label firms NutraMax and Barre/NMC ("The Tan Sheet" Aug. 9, p. 10).