Patients With Bacterial Sinusitis Report Initial Antibiotic Was Not Effective, According to Survey National Survey Reveals Potential Unmet Treatment Needs for Millions of Americans Suffering from Sinusitis WEST HAVEN, Conn., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Almost 40 percent of acute bacterial sinusitis sufferers report the antibiotic they were initially prescribed did not work the first time, according to a national survey conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds experience at least two or more sinusitis attacks per year.(1) These survey findings demonstrate the need for the appropriate prescription of effective antibiotics for the 37 million Americans who suffer from sinusitis(2) -- a condition characterized by facial pain and pressure, nasal congestion and a disruptive impact on daily life.(3) "It is a significant concern that such a large portion of acute bacterial sinusitis patients are not having success with their first course of antibiotic therapy," said Paul Obert, MD, an ear, nose and throat specialist and head and neck surgeon from Birmingham, Alabama. "Treating acute bacterial sinusitis with an appropriate agent first against the expected pathogen in the patient increases the likelihood of wiping out the infection quickly and completely." Dr. Obert is one of many people who have suffered from acute bacterial sinusitis, and his experience offers an interesting perspective on the importance of symptom relief. An avid mountain climber, Dr. Obert began his quest to climb the highest peaks on each continent, known as the "Seven Summits," in 2001. He set out to climb Mt. Everest, his seventh and final summit, in the spring of 2003. He developed acute bacterial sinusitis at Everest base camp at 18,000 feet. He took Avelox(R) (moxifloxacin HCl), an antibiotic indicated for the treatment for acute bacterial sinusitis, which resolved his infection in a matter of days. "Based on scientific studies and clinical experience, I took Avelox with me when I climbed Everest because I knew that it was powerful enough to cure acute bacterial sinusitis and would allow me to finish the climb," said Dr. Obert. Dr. Obert reached the summit of Mt. Everest on May 30, 2003, becoming one of only 31 Americans and 80 people worldwide to reach the "Seven Summits."(4) About the Survey In the survey of 1,001 people, 209 were diagnosed with sinusitis and almost four in five sufferers were prescribed an antibiotic for a bacterial infection. The survey also found: * More than half characterize their symptoms as "severe" or "painfully severe;" * 63 percent of respondents name quick symptom relief as the most important attribute of an antibiotic treatment; * Only 41 percent of sinusitis sufferers say they are "very satisfied" with their current antibiotic treatment; * 79 percent of respondents lost sleep during their sinusitis attacks; * 37 percent missed at least one day of work; * 36 percent spent a significant amount of money on treatments; * 34 percent cancelled planned vacation or leisure activities.(5) About Sinusitis Acute sinusitis, which usually lasts for three weeks or less, can be caused by a bacterial infection and usually occurs as a late complication of the common cold. Nasal congestion produces swelling in the sinus cavity, obstructs drainage and causes mucus to stagnate, providing a perfect breeding ground for infection.(6) Over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines may help to relieve the symptoms of viral sinusitis. However, bacterial sinusitis needs to be diagnosed by a physician and treated with an antibiotic.(7) A doctor should be consulted if symptoms don't improve within three days.(8) More information on sinusitis is available at http://www.sinusfacts.com/, including a diagnostic quiz that will help patients identify sinusitis symptoms. About AVELOX Avelox is approved to treat: Acute Bacterial Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis (ABECB) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, or Moraxella catarrhalis; Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (including penicillin-resistant strains, MIC value for penicillin greater than or equal to 2 mcg/mL), Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Chlamydia pneumoniae; Acute Bacterial Sinusitis (ABS) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis; and uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (uSSSI) caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Important Safety Considerations Avelox is a prescription medication that is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects, which are usually mild, include nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. You should be careful about driving or operating machinery until you are sure Avelox is not causing dizziness. You should not take Avelox if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Avelox or any of the other group of antibiotics known as "quinolones," such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin. You should avoid taking Avelox if you have been diagnosed with an abnormal heartbeat such as an arrhythmia or are using certain medications used to treat an abnormal heartbeat. These include quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, and sotalol. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking Avelox, talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medication. Avelox is not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown. Avelox is not recommended for children under the age of 18 years. Many antacids and multivitamins may interfere with the absorption of Avelox and may prevent it from working properly. You should take Avelox either four hours before or eight hours after taking these products. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider of any medical conditions you have and all prescription and non-prescription medications or supplements you are taking. If you have any concerns about your medication or side effects, please contact your healthcare provider. For Avelox prescribing information and indicated organisms, log on to http://www.aveloxusa.com/ or call Bayer Clinical Communications at 800-288-8371. About Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation is part of the worldwide operations of Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's leading innovators in the health care and medical products industry. Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the business groups of Bayer AG in the fields of Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diagnostics, Animal Health and Pharmaceuticals. More than 34,000 employees support the worldwide operations of Bayer HealthCare. Our work at Bayer HealthCare is to discover and manufacture innovative products for the purpose of improving human and animal health worldwide. Our products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating disease. This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. (1) Wirthlin Worldwide Sinusitis Treatment Perceptions Survey. October 2003. (2) American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. "20 Questions About Sinusitis." Available at http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/sinus/sinus_questions.cfm. Accessed on October 22, 2003. (3) Desrosiers, et al. Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Adults: Management in the Primary Care Setting. The Journal of Otolaryngology. Volume 31, Supplement Number 1, 2002:31-42. (4) AdventureStats.com. "The Seven Summits - Kosciuszko Version: Updated July 14, 2003." Available at http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/sevkos.htm. Accessed on October 31, 2003. (5) Wirthlin Worldwide Sinusitis Treatment Perceptions Survey. October 2003. (6) American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, "Patient/Public Education: Fast Facts Sinusitis." (7) Fact Sheet: Antibiotics and Sinusitis." American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Available at http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/sinus/antibiotics_sinusitis.cfm. Accessed on September 24, 2003. (8) Mayo Clinic. "Acute Sinusitis: Treatment." Available at http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=1246C980-C1C4-4C28- AFC09B1627F588A6&section=7. Accessed on September 25, 2003 DATASOURCE: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals CONTACT: Mark Bennett of Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, phone: +1-203-812-2160, or fax: +1-203-812-5824 Web site: http://www.bayer.com/ http://www.aveloxusa.com/

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