Aspirin sales rise in adult analgesic category despite increased competition; life-saving benefits of the time-tested pain reliever attract new users.

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(HealthWire)--Jan. 17, 1996--While there is much attention to the many new over-the-counter pain relievers available today, the first analgesic is gaining ground in the highly competitive adult analgesic category. Aspirin -- the time-tested pain reliever -- is reemerging as the ideal choice for millions of Americans who can benefit from its pain relief and disease prevention properties.

According to the latest sales data from Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) of the internal adult analgesic category (December 17, 1995), total year-to-date aspirin sales, including branded and private label, are more than $538 million -- an increase of $8.5 million from 1994. This growth is in the face of the decline of the total $2.3 billion adult analgesic category, down .5 percent since 1994.

BAYER(R) Aspirin, the leading branded aspirin, holds approximately 20 percent of aspirin sales. Over the past six months, total BAYER(R) Aspirin sales have increased nearly 4 percent versus the same time period in 1994. Furthermore, over the past three months, BAYER(R) Aspirin sales have increased nearly 9 percent versus 1994 -- the largest increase in more than five years. Approximately 22 percent of aspirin sales is from private label products.

Why the boost for aspirin? Introductions of new analgesics have challenged consumers to reconsider what they're looking for in a pain reliever; weighing each product's risks and benefits.

"With consumer confusion over so many pain relievers, many people are returning to aspirin -- it's simple, safe and just as effective as the newer pain relievers," said pharmacist Patrick Schliech. "And it also does something no other analgesic can do -- it can save your life."

"Aspirin is the only analgesic approved to help prevent recurrent heart attack and stroke. While not yet approved by the FDA, studies are showing that aspirin also has a unique power to fight primary heart attack and stroke," noted C. Noel Bairey Merz, M.D., director and attending cardiologist of the Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif. "In addition, there's growing evidence that if you take an aspirin during an evolving heart attack, you may prevent damage to the heart muscle and improve your chances for survival."

In 1995, Americans consumed nearly 14 billion aspirin tablets. And that number is likely to grow as science continues to demonstrate new uses for this versatile pain remedy.

"Every day, we're finding more and more uses for this `wonder drug.' In fact, results of several new medical studies were recently released which may lead to future uses for aspirin in preventing some forms of cancer, including colon, esophageal and breast cancer. This is exciting news which may save many more lives," said Dr. Merz.

While aspirin sales rose in 1995, several competitors began to feel the heat following the introduction of Aleve and Orudis KT. Total year-to-date branded and private label ibuprofen sales were down by 1.7 percent or approximately $10.7 million.

And perhaps the most dramatic change in the adult analgesic category was the consistent sales decline of Tylenol and other branded and private label acetaminophen -- a significant 6.6 percent decrease in sales totaling $68.2 million.

Medical studies linked acetaminophen to life-threatening liver damage with excessive, prolonged use of alcohol. This information may have led consumers to reevaluate the safety of this pain reliever.

"For many years, people have needlessly shied away from aspirin. Now, new information about acetaminophen's safety profile, as well as dosage issues for some of the new pain relievers, have led consumers to discover that aspirin is perhaps the most modern pain reliever available. Its benefits significantly outweigh its risks," said Steven Weisman, Ph.D., director, Clinical and Medical Affairs, Bayer Corporation. "Most people can take aspirin without any safety concerns. In fact, less than six percent of people can't take aspirin due to stomach upset. However, as with any drug, side effects may occur. Talk to your doctor before beginning an aspirin regimen," added Dr. Weisman.

The Consumer Care Division of Bayer Corporation is the maker of BAYER(R) Aspirin. Bayer Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of the international chemical and health care company, Bayer AG, Germany, is a research-based company with major businesses in health care and life sciences, chemicals and imaging technologies. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Bayer Corporation employs 24,000 people and had sales of $7.1 billion in 1994.

CONTACT: Golin/Harris, Chicago

Belene Mallon, 312/836-7110