January 14, 2004

By: Jenny Post
Website: http://www.1st-in-cosmetics.com

Showcase your artistic talent in the Ortho Personal PAKTM Design-A-Pak contest

Renowned fashion designer Nicole Miller and Ortho Women's Health have teamed up in search of the next designer of the ORTHO PERSONAL PAK Tablet Dispenser. On September 15, 2003, the Design-A-Pak contest will be launched in tandem with the introduction of Nicole Miller's new special edition ORTHO PERSONAL PAK design, Jewel.

Ortho Women's Health, the women's health care franchise of Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc., the maker of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN(R) LO (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) Tablets, and Nicole Miller recently launched the new 2003 design, Jewel. The new compact is convenient for women who live stylish, on-the-go lives, and it is "ready to carry" for users of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO, a birth control pill with a low level of hormones that provides excellent cycle control and a low incidence of side effects.

“ The Design-A-Pak contest is a great opportunity for undiscovered designers and artists, or anyone with a flair for art, to showcase their talent," said designer Nicole Miller. "Most importantly, the winning design will give women the freedom to carry one of their most intimate items, their birth control pills, in a fashionable and discreet package.”

The winning image will illustrate the identity of today's woman -- one who is stylish, healthy, active, independent, balanced -- and be used to create a new ORTHO PERSONAL PAK that will be produced for national distribution. In addition, the winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to attend the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park in February 2004, the opportunity to “shadow” Nicole Miller and $1,000.

The grand prize winner and the top four finalists' designs will be showcased on the ORTHO PERSONAL PAK Web site, www.personalpak.com, and judged by an expert panel, including fashion designer Nicole Miller; Glamour Fashion Editor Joseph Berean; Executive Director of The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Jamie Boris; Susan Wysocki, president, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health; and ORTHO PERSONAL PAK graphic designer Martha Davis. The top 20 semi-finalists will be awarded honorable mentions and all finalists will receive the new Nicole Miller ORTHO PERSONAL PAK design and a Nicole Miller accessory. The deadline for entries is November 21, 2003.

The ORTHO PERSONAL PAK fashionably packages ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO. Each compact costs $4.95 plus $1.50 shipping/handling and can be ordered online at www.personalpak.com to receive $1.00 off. Order forms also accompany each prescription refill.

ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO is the only birth control pill with a combination of 25 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and the progestin, norgestimate. The profile of norgestimate is associated with low rates of nuisance side effects, such as weight gain, acne and facial hair growth. Almost 50 percent of women who stop using the Pill do so because of side effects often related to the dose and type of hormones in the Pill.

To commemorate the launch of the Design-A-Pak contest, Ortho Women's Health made a donation to the OCRF, a not-for-profit organization devoted to the development of early diagnostic treatment programs and research toward the ultimate conquest of ovarian cancer.

ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO Tablets are indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception.

Oral contraceptives are not for everybody. Most side effects of the Pill are not serious and those that are, occur infrequently. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks, and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you're over 35. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke. Some studies have reported an increase in the risk of developing breast cancer among women who use oral contraceptives. However, the majority of studies have found no overall increase in this risk. You should talk to your doctor or health care professional about how this risk relates to your use of the Pill. Some women should not use the Pill, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant. The Pill does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.

About The Author:

Jenny Post is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cosmetics.com.  Tips on skin care, hair care and beauty products to bring out natural beauty.