The NASONEX(R) (mometasone furoate monohydrate) Nasal Spray 50mcg* delivery device is the first nasal allergy spray acknowledged by the Arthritis Foundation as easy-to-use for people with arthritis KENILWORTH, N.J., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Schering-Plough today announced that the device used to deliver NASONEX(R) (mometasone furoate monohydrate) nasal spray for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms has received the Arthritis Foundation's Ease-of-Use Commendation. The commendation recognizes products that provide accessibility or ease-of-use for people with arthritis as determined by an independent lab experienced in the design and evaluation of products and individuals with various forms of the chronic illness. "Products that receive the Ease-of-Use Commendation have been shown to make everyday tasks, like administering a medication, easy and comfortable for people with arthritis," said Mary Norman, Arthritis Foundation group vice president of strategic marketing alliances. The Arthritis Foundation created the Ease-of-Use Commendation Program to encourage manufacturers to design user-friendly products and packaging that could be recommended to the nearly 46 million Americans who are affected by some form of arthritis.(1.) The NASONEX delivery device is the first nasal allergy spray to have the Ease-of-Use Commendation from the Foundation. An estimated 37 million Americans suffer from the symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergies.(2.) A nasal-inhaled steroid, such as NASONEX, is a recommended first-line therapy for all nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis.(3.) NASONEX is the only once-daily prescription intranasal corticosteroid approved to help prevent seasonal nasal allergy symptoms in adults and children 12 years of age and older when NASONEX is started 2 to 4 weeks prior to allergy season. NASONEX is also the only intranasal corticosteroid approved to treat nasal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, in patients as young as 2 years of age.(4.) NASONEX Ease-of-Use Patient Survey A separate consumer survey of NASONEX users also demonstrates that the applicator is easy for patients to use. In a survey of more than 1,500 NASONEX users and caregivers of young children who use NASONEX, 98 percent of those surveyed found the NASONEX applicator easy to use. NASONEX users also report that the mist from the NASONEX applicator is easy to administer and that the NASONEX applicator is easy to pump and press. Users also indicate that the NASONEX nasal spray applicator: -- Fits comfortably in the nostril (96 percent of all users surveyed) -- Fits comfortably in the hand (96 percent of all users surveyed) -- Is appropriately sized to administer the medicine (95 percent of all users surveyed) -- Is comfortable to hold while administering a dose or mist in the nose (94 percent of all users surveyed) The survey was performed in November 2006 to evaluate whether patients find the NASONEX nasal spray applicator easy and comfortable to use and included a sample of general NASONEX users (n=1,126), pediatric NASONEX users (n=506), elderly NASONEX users (n=355) and arthritic NASONEX users (n=562). The sample was recruited from the Synovate interactive online panel and purchased sample. About the Arthritis Foundation The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation's number- one cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundation has 45 chapters and 150 community service points located throughout the country. The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-568-4045 or http://www.arthritis.org/. About NASONEX Originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997, NASONEX is safe, nonsedating and not addictive when used as directed.(4.) As a pharmaceutical preparation, which contains no ethanol or ethyl alcohol, scent-free NASONEX is alcohol-free.(4.) NASONEX provides relief from nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, including nasal congestion, sneezing and an itchy, runny nose.(4.) NASONEX is approved to help prevent seasonal nasal allergy symptoms in adults and children 12 years of age and older when NASONEX is started 2 to 4 weeks prior to allergy season.(4.) NASONEX is also approved to treat nasal allergy symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis in patients 2 years and older(4.) and is approved for the treatment of nasal polyps in adults 18 years of age and older.(4.) Side effects were generally mild and included headache, viral infection, sore throat, nosebleeds and coughing.(4.) Visit http://www.nasonex.com/ for more information on treating nasal allergy symptoms. For additional important product information, full prescribing information is available at: http://www.spfiles.com/pinasonex.pdf. About Schering-Plough Corporation Schering-Plough is a global science-based health care company with leading prescription, consumer and animal health products. Through internal research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough discovers, develops, manufactures and markets advanced drug therapies to meet important medical needs. Schering-Plough's vision is to earn the trust of the physicians, patients and customers served by its more than 32,000 people around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is http://www.schering-plough.com/. SCHERING-PLOUGH DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information in this press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to the potential of NASONEX. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events. Schering-Plough does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Schering-Plough's forward- looking statements, including market forces, economic factors, product availability, patent and other intellectual property protection, current and future branded, generic or over-the-counter competition, the regulatory process, and any developments following regulatory approval, among other uncertainties. For further details about these and other factors that may impact the forward-looking statements, see Schering-Plough's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's second quarter 2006 10-Q. * Calculated on the Anhydrous Basis References: (1.) "Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation - United States, 2003-2005." National Health Interview Survey, Centers For Disease Control. 13 October 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5540a2.htm (2.) "Allergy Facts and Figures." Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. 12 June 2006. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30 (3.) "The Allergy Report. Diseases of the Atopic Diathesis." American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2000, Vol 2; p.16. (4.) NASONEX(R) Product Information. Schering Corporation. DATASOURCE: Schering-Plough Corporation CONTACT: Media: Julie Lux, +1-908-298-4774, +1-908-216-0370 (cell), Investors: Alex Kelly, +1-908-298-7436, both of Schering-Plough Web site: http://www.arthritis.org/ http://www.nasonex.com/ http://www.schering-plough.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/777050.html

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