Contacts:        Investors                                           Business / Product
William R. Gargiulo, Jr.                        Mary Ann Leeper, Ph.D.   
                        231.526.1244                                     312.595.9123  

 
For Immediate Release

The Female Health Company Reports
Fourth Quarter Results
 
CHICAGO, December 29, 2003- The Female Health Company (OTC BB: FHCO) reported net revenues of $2,106,416 and net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(744,751) or $(0.04) per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to revenues of $2,494,756 and a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(375,218) or $(0.02) per diluted share for three months ended September 30, 2002.

The Company posted an operating loss for the three-months ended September 30, 2003 of $(470,828) compared to an operating loss of $(236,724) for the same period last year.

Net revenues decreased $388,340 for the current quarter or 16%, compared with the same prior year period. The significant quarter to quarter variation is due to the timing of receipt of large orders, subsequent production scheduling, and shipping of products.

Gross profit decreased $177,510, for the current quarter or 17%, to $884,004 from $1,061,514 for the same period in the prior year. Operating expenses increased $56,594, or 4%, to $1,354,832 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to $1,298,238 for the same period last fiscal year. This increase includes increases in global public sector selling expenses, investor relation, and legal fees.

Net interest and other expenses increased $165,987 for the current quarter to $271,210 from $105,223 for the same period last year. The change primarily reflects a larger amount of non-cash expenses incurred from the amortization of discounts on the notes payable and credit facility than the same period in the prior year.

The Company had net revenues of $9,045,560 and a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(2,381,593) or $(0.13) per diluted share for the year ended September 30, 2003 compared to net revenues of $8,416,512 and a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(3,613,167) or $(0.22) per diluted share for the year ended September 30, 2002.

Net revenues for the year ended September 30, 2003 increased $629,048, or 7%, over the prior year.

Gross profit decreased $97,384, or 3%, to $3,588,722 for the year ended September 30, 2003 from $3,686,106 for the year ended September 30, 2002 reflecting an increase in the cost of products sold. This increase includes increased labor and indirect production costs and higher research and production costs related to the Company’s second generation product.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $650,309, or 20%, from $3,189,598 in 2002 to $3,839,907 in 2003. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in manufacturing facility rent, consulting related to the potential introduction of the female condom in new markets, patent filings and other legal expense for the second generation product and a non cash bonus awarded to senior management for 2002.

 
     

 
Stock compensation decreased $816,558, or 44%, from $1,863,956 in 2002 to $1,047,398 in 2003. During 2003, the Company recorded charges primarily related to accounting for changes in stock option plans ($.7 million) and investor relations ($.4 million). During 2002, the Company recorded charges primarily related to accounting for variable plan stock options ($1.7 million) and investor relations ($.1 million).

On July 23, 2002 the Company and the former holders of $1,500,000 in convertible debentures who alleged the Company was in default in reference to the perfection of security interests settled the dispute out of court. The Company issued 450,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the former convertible debenture holders and agreed to extend the expiration dates of 2.25 million warrants held by the former holders until 2007. The Company recorded expense of $1,258,210 in 2002 relating to this settlement. No such settlement costs were incurred in the year ended September 30, 2003.

The Company's operating loss decreased $(1,334,374) from $(2,669,490) in 2002 to $(1,335,116) in 2003. Operating expenses decreased $1,431,758 from $6,355,596 in 2002 to $4,923,838 in 2003. $2,074,768, or 145%, of the decrease represents the change in non-cash charges for the out of court settlement and stock compensation expense incurred during 2003 compared to 2002.

Net interest and non-operating expenses increased $223,381, or 28%, to $1,035,053 for 2003 compared to $811,672 for 2002. The increase exists because the Company had a higher level of debt outstanding during fiscal year 2003 than fiscal year 2002. The result is a higher amount of non-cash expenses incurred from the amortization of discounts on notes payable and convertible debentures in 2003 than in the prior year.

It should be noted that the Company has been able to operate without any cash infusion and has experienced a positive cash flow from operations of $.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2003. As a result of its improved liquidity and other factors, the audit opinion for Company’s financial statements for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 does not require a “going concern” qualification exception as it did in prior periods.

During fiscal 2003 the Company initiated and or completed certain key projects which it believes have the potential to favorably impact future results. The Company and its partner in India, Hindustan Latex Ltd. (HLL) signed a definitive agreement, secured scientific and importation regulatory approval for the female condom and completed pre-launch acceptability studies. HLL anticipates the launch will occur early in calendar 2004. A second generation product, FC2, which has the potential to significantly reduce cost was identified, a patent application was filed and initial development successfully completed. In addition the Company signed a contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which may result in the purchase of a minimum of 7 million and a maximum of 25 million female condoms for the period ending December 31, 2006, subject to USAID's right to terminate the contract at any time for its sole convenience.

The Female Health Company, based in Chicago, owns certain worldwide rights to FC Female Condom ä including patents which have been issued in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, The People’s Republic of China, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and Australia. FC Female Condom ä is the only available barrier product controlled by a woman that protects against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancy.

 
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“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 plan 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 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.
 
For more information about the Female Health Company, dial toll-free via fax, 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter company code “FHCO.” Also, visit the Company’s web site at www.femalehealth.com and www.femalecondom.org. If you would like to be added to an e-mail alert list, please send an e-mail to the Company. 


 
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THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet


September 30   2003      

 September 30 2002  

 
 
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents
 
$
632,295
 
$
377,308
 
Restricted cash
   
119,664
   
181,335
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
2,054,985
   
2,421,425
 
Inventories, net
   
1,092,286
   
913,184
 
Prepaid and other current assets
   
        233,818
   
        244,224
 
   
 
 
Total Current Assets
   
4,133,048
   
4,137,476
 
               
Certificate of Deposit
   
96,221
   
121,042
 
Other non-current assets
   
450,023
   
545,717
 
Net property, plant & equipment
   
     356,278
   
     758,635
 
   
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
5,035,570
 
$
5,562,870
 
   
 
 
Notes payable, related party, net of unamortized discount
 
$
842,799
 
$
852,349
 
Notes payable, bank, net of unamortized discount
   
1,385,328
   
 
Accounts payable
   
371,742
   
524,947
 
Accrued expenses
   
624,788
   
691,954
 
Current maturities of obligations under capital leases
   
30,803
   
24,542
 
Preferred dividends payable
   
         11,424
   
        133,996
 
   
 
 
Total current liabilities
   
3,266,884
   
2,227,788
 
               
Notes payable, bank, net of unamortized discount
   
   
927,546
 
Convertible debentures
   
   
450,000
 
Obligations under capital leases
   
21,195
   
52,912
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
      1,254,359
   
      1,274,339
 
   
 
 
Total liabilities
   
4,542,438
   
4,932,585
 
               
Total Stockholders' equity
   
       493,132
   
       630,285
 
   
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
$
5,035,570
 
$
5,562,870
 
   
 
 


 
   

 
THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

 
For the Quarter Ended
     September 30,      
  For the Years Ended
     September 30,     

   

 
 
 
       2003       
      2002      
      2003      
      2003        




 
NET REVENUES
 
$
2,106,416
 
$
2,494,756
 
$
9,045,560
 
$
8,416,512
 
           
 
             
GROSS PROFIT
   
884,004
   
1,061,514
   
3,588,722 
   
3,686,106
 
                         
Advertising and promotion
   
3,862
   
10,032
   
36,533 
   
43,832
 
SG&A
   
1,026,311
   
870,829
   
3,839,907 
   
3,189,598
 
Litigation settlement
   
– 
   
(31,187
)
 
– 
   
1,258,210
 
Stock compensation
   
   324,659
   
   448,564 
   
  1,047,398 
   
  1,863,956
 
   
 
 
 
 
Total Operating Expenses
   
1,354,832
   
1,298,238
   
4,923,838
   
6,355,596
 
OPERATING LOSS
   
(470,828
)
 
(236,724
)
 
(1,335,116
)
 
(2,669,490
)
                           
Interest, net and other expense
   
   271,210
   
   105,223
   
  1,035,053
   
   811,672
 
   
 
 
 
 
Pretax loss
   
(742,038
)
 
(341,947
)
 
(2,370,169
)
 
(3,481,162
)
                           
Income taxes
   
          – 
   
          – 
   
           – 
   
          – 
 
   
 
 
 
 
NET LOSS
   
(742,038
)
 
(341,947
)
 
(2,370,169
)
 
(3,481,162
)
                           
Preferred dividends, Series 1
   
     2,713  
   
     33,271
   
     11,424
   
    132,005
 
   
 
 
 
 
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
   
 
(744,751
)
 
 
(375,218
)
 
 
(2,381,593
)
 
 
(3,613,167
)
                           
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
(0.04
)
$
(0.02
)
$
(0.13
)
$
(0.22
)
                           
Weighted average common shares
   
19,344,486
   
17,066,882
   
19,020,029
   
16,244,920
 



 
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