Press Releases (2004)

PGA TOUR Star Steve Flesch Tees Up To Help Educate Americans About Sun Exposure & Skin Health

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – March 3, 2004 – PGA TOUR golf professional Steve Flesch is teaming up with Dermik Laboratories at The Honda Classic to remind Floridians about the need for proper skin protection and forming good skin health habits. Flesch was diagnosed with actinic keratosis (AK), a pre-cancerous lesion of the skin that is the result of years of exposure to the sun, in 2002 and received treatment from his dermatologist.

"After years on the golf course, I was fortunate that my AKs were detected and treated before they led to skin cancer. My dermatologist treated me with Carac® (fluorouracil cream) Cream, 0.5% and it worked for me," said Steve Flesch, PGA Tour golfer. "Through this partnership with Dermik Laboratories, I want to encourage the local community to be proactive about their skin health and go to the dermatologist for a regular check-up."

During the Honda Classic, which takes place from March 8-14, 2004 at the Country Club at Mirasol, Palm Beach Gardens in West Palm Beach, FL, Flesch will join local board-certified dermatologists, who will provide event participants and spectators with free skin cancer screenings. Consumers will also have an opportunity to have their photo taken with a special UV-camera that will show the extent of existing sun damage on their face at the Carac® sponsorship tent.

"Golf enthusiasts are at risk for actinic keratosis due to the increased sun exposure they receive on vulnerable body parts, like the face, arms, and back of the hands," said Lawrence Strong, M.D., the Dermatology Center of Wellington. "Prolonged sun exposure is dangerous to the skin; therefore it is important for people to get routinely checked for skin problems."

Flesch will appear at the Carac® sponsorship tent from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2004, to share his personal experience battling AKs.

AKs are lesions that typically occur on the face, scalp, arms, or hands. AKs begin under the skin's surface, then emerge as rough or scaly areas that feel like sandpaper to the touch. They can be pink, tan, red or the same color as skin, so they may be recognized by touch as well as by sight. People aged 50 and over who have had significant sun exposure or a history of repeated sunburns, those who freckle and burn rather than tan in the sun, and those who spend large amounts of time in the sun without sunscreen are at greatest risk for AKs.

About Carac®
Carac® (fluorouracil cream) Cream, 0.5% is a once-a-day, topical treatment for actinic keratosis of the face and anterior scalp that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Carac® provides patients with an effective AK treatment with the benefit of convenient once-daily dosing.

Carac® should not be used by women who are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant, or nursing. Carac® should not be used by people with the rare condition diydroopyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency. The most common side effects are skin reactions including redness, dryness, burning, pain, erosion (loss of upper layer of skin), swelling and eye irritation.

About Dermik Laboratories
Carac® is marketed by Dermik Laboratories. Dermik Laboratories conducts the North American business of Aventis Dermatology, the global dermatology unit of Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Dermik is dedicated to providing innovative dermatological products to satisfy the needs of health care providers and patients. Dermik has expanded its core business with a new aesthetic/cosmetic dermatology focus, and continues its strong commitment to treatments for traditional skin and nail conditions, including acne, nail fungus, pre-cancerous skin lesions, psoriasis and rosacea. Its corporate headquarters is located in Berwyn, PA. Please visit our website: www.dermik.com as well as www.skinhealthsolutions.com.

About Aventis
Aventis Pharmaceuticals conducts the U.S. prescription drug business of Aventis. With headquarters in Bridgewater, NJ, Aventis Pharmaceuticals focuses its activities on important therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, anti-infectives, arthritis, allergy and respiratory, diabetes, and the central nervous system.

Statements in this news release containing projections or estimates of revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, capital structure, or other financial items; plans and objectives relating to future operations, products, or services; future economic performance; or assumptions underlying or relating to any such statements, are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially depending on factors such as the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the results of clinical trials, the company's relative success developing and gaining market acceptance for new products, the outcome of significant litigation, and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aventis on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the current Annual Report – "Document de Référence" – on file with the "Autorité des marchés financiers" in France.