Obagi Medical Products Takes Action to Improve Life for Women Around the World; Pharmaceutical Company Joins Key Global Movements to Empower Women

Business Wire, March 30, 2004

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2004

Specialty pharma company Obagi Medical Products, also known as OMP, Inc., recently joined with leaders of key global movements committed to empowering women around the world. Obagi, a leading brand in the medical professional channel and maker of products for skin transformation, announced it is taking action by providing financial and product donations to support top organizations that empower its primary customers, women. Three leading organizations making strides both nationally and internationally in important women's initiatives were selected to receive the company's support -- The Skin Cancer Foundation, the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE), and the Family Circle Cup women's tennis tournament.

"Obagi is committed to improving the quality of people's lives by creating products that dramatically transform skin to its optimum health," said Obagi's CFO, Curtis Cluff. "As a smaller company, we have the capacity to make the greatest impact by aligning with leading organizations that share in our interest in bringing visibility to pervasive issues that deserve attention, such as the need for skin-health education and women's issues. Obagi's participation in these organizations will make a difference in the lives of many who will benefit from our combined knowledge and support.

Since women under age 40 have become the fastest growing group of skin-cancer patients, Obagi's first worldwide initiative is to help women prevent skin cancer through education. More than a million cases of highly curable skin cancers are diagnosed and reported each year. The incidence, prevalence and mortality rate of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is growing exponentially. It is estimated that more than 24,000 women will be diagnosed with malignant melanoma alone by the end of this year. With these statistics in mind, Obagi decided to financially sponsor The Skin Cancer Foundation, the only global organization exclusively dedicated to the detection, prevention, and education of the world's most common malignancy. Obagi is an official sponsor of the Foundation's public awareness campaign and its programs in education and research.

Obagi's second initiative is to empower women professionally. To accomplish this, the company recently became a sponsor of The National Association of Female Executives (NAFE). NAFE is the largest, most exclusive women's professional and women business owners' organization in the country. NAFE provides resources and services through education, networking, and public advocacy thereby empowering its members to achieve career success and financial security. Obagi has provided financial support to the organization and recently participated in NAFE's annual conference in New York City on March 11, 2004.

Obagi's final initiative is to empower women physically, so it will show its support next month at the 32nd annual Family Circle Cup, America's premier women's tennis tournament. A Family Circle Magazine event, the Family Circle Cup's mission is to inspire and empower women to excel. The tournament will not only feature top global female competitors, thousands of roaring fans, and a $1.3 million purse to be awarded to the tournament winner, but also a blazing hot tennis court and open grandstand, making it a breeding ground for sun-damaged skin. The setting is perfect for Obagi to publicly demonstrate its commitment to the prevention of sun-damage such as hyperpigmentation, photo aging, and skin cancer. It has pledged to donate Cffectives10% Vitamin C Serum as well as 2,000 samples of its "Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35" sunscreen to event attendees. The tournament will be held in Charleston, SC from April 10 - 18.

About Obagi Medical Products, Inc.

The Obagi Nu-Derm System is the best-selling physician-dispensed, prescription-based, skin-care system in the dermatology and plastic surgery channels. By using a specific sequence of dosage and frequency, the System transforms the skin's cellular functions to make skin look and act younger and healthier by triggering a therapeutic cascade. The Obagi Blue Peel, recently featured on NBC's The Today Show, is a medium depth TCA peel used in conjunction with the Obagi Nu-Derm System to achieve superior results in skin transformation such as reduction in wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, laxity and improvement in skin clarity. The Obagi Nu-Derm System and Obagi Blue Peel are physician prescribed and monitored. For an Obagi provider near you, visit www.obagi.com or call (800) 636-7546 to speak with a customer service representative.

Obagi Medical Products, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company recognized as a leading brand in the professional channel, and markets a skin-care system that transform skin's cellular functions. Based in Long Beach, CA, Obagi generates about $50 million annually in global sales, and has grown more than 20 percent annually over the last 10 years. The Obagi brand is dispensed by more than 4,700 doctors in the United States. Obagi's products have also been sold for nearly 15 years through experienced international distribution companies and are well represented in Scandinavia, Europe, Canada, Mexico and Central America, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.