Spring Allergies May Limit Attention Span and Impair Memory as Well as Cause Sniffles and Sneezes

Yet, New Study Finds That CLARITIN(R) Enables Allergy Sufferers to be as Alert and Focused as People Without Allergies -

In the first definitive clinical study to compare the cognitive function of symptomatic allergy sufferers to that of people who don't have allergies, researchers found that CLARITIN can help allergy sufferers be as alert and focused as people who don't have allergies.

This is significant news for the more than 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies,(1) said Jeffrey A. Wilken, Ph.D., director of the Washington Neuropsychology Research Group in Washington, DC, a lead researcher on the CLEAR (Cognitive effects of Loratadine: Effect on Allergy Response) Study, which was sponsored by Schering-Plough HealthCare Products.

Clinical studies have shown that untreated allergies can make it difficult to stay alert and focused and thus think clearly. CLEAR Study results went a step further. In the study, 300 people were given seven tests to measure attention, focus, and alertness. There were three groups of participants: people without allergies, allergy sufferers treated with placebo, and allergy sufferers who took the non-sedating antihistamine CLARITIN.

"What's remarkable is that in seven out of seven tests, allergy sufferers who took a daily 10-milligram dose of CLARITIN performed no differently from people who did not have allergies," said Dr. Wilken. "If you look at the findings of the study in terms of the real world, people who treat their allergies with CLARITIN will have an easier time than people with untreated allergies when focusing on a task that requires concentration and sustained attention-for example, proofreading, working on an assembly line, or driving." Only CLARITIN has been clinically proven to make allergy sufferers as alert and focused as healthy people without allergies.

Not absent, but not fully present either

Allergies affect more than 50 million Americans(2) and cause an estimated 3.6 million lost workdays each year.(3) They contribute not only to absenteeism, but also to presenteeism -- a new term that describes the phenomenon of being on the job but, because of illness or other medical conditions, not fully functioning. According to a recent Harvard Business Review article on presenteeism, researchers consider seasonal allergies to be a serious cause of this workplace problem.(4)

"When allergies affect people's mental functioning, the quality and quantity of their work declines," said workplace specialist Kent Peterson, MD, president of Occupational Health Strategies. "The more severe their allergies are, the greater the toll on their performance."

About the CLEAR Study

The study included 200 allergy sufferers and 101 healthy subjects without allergies, all 18 years or older, who were exposed to a well-established and validated battery of objective tests that evaluated important aspects of cognitive function, including attention, concentration and working memory. The tests were conducted over a five-day period, and all functions were tested and scored each day. Half the allergy sufferers took Claritin during the study; the other half received a placebo.

Working memory: On a test that required subjects to remember information long enough to solve a problem based on that information, allergy sufferers taking Claritin achieved a mean score* that was statistically comparable to the healthy, allergy-free subjects' score (119.1 +/- 20.4 vs. 123.0 +/- 20.5 [p=0.187]). The score of the allergy sufferers taking placebo was statistically worse (116.3 +/- 19.8 [p=0.024 vs. the allergy-free group]).

Concentration and sustained attention: On a math processing test that required subjects to remain focused and on task, allergy sufferers taking Claritin achieved a mean score* statistically comparable to the healthy, allergy-free subjects' score (28.3.1 +/- 10.8 vs. 29.9.0 +/- 9.5 [p=0.218]). The placebo group's score was statistically worse than that of the allergy- free subjects (27.3 +/- 6.2 [p=0.042]).

Visual analysis and discrimination: On a test that required good visual discrimination, allergy sufferers taking Claritin achieved a mean score that was statistically comparable to the healthy, allergy-free subjects' score (51.1 +/- 19.5 vs. 54.7 +/- 15.9 [p=0.168]). The score of the allergy sufferers treated with placebo was statistically worse (47.6 +/- 19.4 [p=0.008 vs. the allergy-free group]).

* All scores reflect performance in terms of speed and accuracy.

The study was conducted at 14 research centers across the United States and was commissioned by Schering-Plough HealthCare Products.

About CLARITIN(R)

CLARITIN(R) is the most successful "prescription-to-OTC" switch in history. Immediately after its launch in December 2002, CLARITIN became the #1 OTC antihistamine brand (in total sales dollars), and has remained in this top position to date.(5)

Schering Laboratories received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on November 27, 2002, for the OTC sale of all five formulations of the CLARITIN(R) brand, each at its original prescription strength: CLARITIN(R) Tablets, a once-daily formulation; CLARITIN(R) RediTabs(R) Tablets, a novel once-daily formulation in an orally disintegrating tablet; CLARITIN-D(R) 24 Hour Extended Release Tablets, a once-daily formulation with a decongestant; CLARITIN-D(R) 12 Hour Extended Release Tablets, a twice-daily formulation with a decongestant; and CLARITIN(R) Syrup, a liquid formulation with directions for use in children 2 years of age and older. In 2003, the FDA approved CLARITIN Hives Relief(TM) tablets as the first-ever indication for the OTC relief of itching due to hives, a common skin condition. For more information on allergies and treatment, visit http://www.CLARITIN.com.

Schering-Plough HealthCare Products is the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) and consumer products business unit of Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP).

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 30,000 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 Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the market for CLARITIN. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events and use words such as "may," "will" and "estimate." Actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements, and there are no guarantees about the performance of Schering-Plough stock or Schering-Plough's business. Schering-Plough does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Many factors could cause actual results to differ from Schering-Plough's forward-looking statements. These factors include current and future branded, generic and over-the-counter competition, manufacturing issues, and timing of trade buying. 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 the company's 2004 annual report on Form 10-K.

1. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The Allergy Report. Vol. I. Rochester, NY: Academic Services Consortium, University of Rochester; 2000.

2. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The Allergy Report. Vol. I. Rochester, NY: Academic Services Consortium, University of Rochester; 2000.

3. Crystal-Peters J; Crown WH; Goetzel RZ; Schutt DC. The Cost of Productivity Losses Associated With Allergic Rhinitis. Medstat Group, Washington, DC 20008, USA. Am J Manag Care 2000 Mar; 6(3): 375

4. "Presenteeism: At Work, But Out of It." Harvard Business Review, Oct. 2004: 49-58.

5. AC Nielsen: dollar sales, week ended 12/14/02, and cumulative weeks 12/14/02 through 02/26/05

CONTACT: Media, Julie Lux, +1-908-298-4774, Mobile, +1-908-216-0370, or Mary-Frances Faraji, +1-908-298-7109, Mobile, +1-908-432-2404, or Investor Contacts, Alex Kelly, or Janet Barth, +1-908-298-7436, all of Schering-Plough Corporation

http://www.schering-plough.com
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