Healthy Expansion For NZ Manufacturer

Media release
23 February 2000

HEALTHY EXPANSION FOR NZ MANUFACTURER

New Zealand pharmaceuticals manufacturer, Douglas Pharmaceuticals, today announced it is expanding into the health supplements market with the launch of new brand "Douglas Dietary".

Jeffrey Douglas, director Douglas Pharmaceuticals, said that the company saw an opportunity to supply the New Zealand market with high efficacy, proven health supplements.

"We've been in the business of producing curative medicines for decades. It made sense to us to use our expertise to source product suitable for the preventive end of the health market," said Mr Douglas.

The premium pharmacy-only range launches with four products all targeting specific health needs - Hi·DHA, Carbonyl Iron, TMG Folic and Colloidal 75. They are already proving popular with pharmacists, with positive pre-sales.

"Pharmacists know we have high quality standards. Douglas Dietary will continue this tradition," added Mr Douglas.

In the 1998 New Zealand IMS survey of pharmacist satisfaction, Douglas Pharmaceuticals was rated the top performing company and has held this position each year since.

The company is already looking to expand the Douglas Dietary range, either by sourcing quality product from offshore suppliers or using its local manufacturing plants to make them.

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Once it has consolidated the local market, the company will look at launching in Australia.

"Obviously Australia has huge potential for us. We are already establishing the Douglas Pharmaceuticals brand in that market. Douglas Dietary is a logical growth opportunity," said Mr Douglas.

Douglas Dietary will be available in selected pharmacies from March 2000.

The Douglas Dietary range:
· Hi·DHA is omega-3 sourced from southern ocean tuna, a rich source of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The balance of DHA and EPA in this product is unique and sets it apart from other fish oils. The ratio is similar to that found naturally in human breast milk, making it an ideal supplement for the breast feeding mothers and for women during pregnancy. Hi·DHA is beneficial for the development and functioning of the nervous system, especially the brain and eyes. Hi·DHA also helps in the prevention of heart disease.
· Carbonyl Iron is essentially pure iron (98%), where as most other iron supplements contain iron salts. Unlike iron salts, Carbonyl Iron is virtually non-toxic and is well absorbed by the body. It is the unabsorbed iron in traditional iron products that causes problems such as constipation (especially in pregnancy).
· TMG Folic acid is a combination of trimethylglycine, vitamin B12 and folic acid that together reduce homocystine levels, one of the risk factors of cardiac disease. Elevated homocystine can damage the lining of arteries and is now recognised as an important risk factor for coronary artery and heart disease. TMG Folic provides the body with the necessary vitamins to help lower homocystine levels and the associated risks.
· Colloidal 75 comes in a liquid form and has 63 essential minerals derived from preserved plant deposits over several million years old. It is a natural product that provides easily absorbed essential minerals to promote general well being. The typical New Zealand diet is providing dangerously inadequate levels of some minerals making Colloidal 75 essential for good health.

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Pharmacist Graeme Douglas MNZOM FPS founded Douglas Pharmaceuticals over thirty years ago. It has been producing quality pharmaceuticals since from its dedicated facilities in Auckland. Douglas Pharmaceuticals exports to more than ten countries. It employs 237 people.

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For further information please contact:
Jeffrey Douglas ----------- Penelope Barr
Director ----------- General Manager
Douglas Pharmaceuticals ----------- Beyond Public Relations
Telephone: (09) 835 0661 ----------- Telephone: (09) 306 1801
Facsimile: (09) 835 0665 ----------- Facsimile: (09) 302 7169
Mobile: 025 302 300 ----------- Mobile: 025 835 383
Email: jeffd@douglas.co.nz ----------- Email:peneb@beyondpr.co.nz

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