Document:

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                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.1(A)

                           ORTHO-EST(R) ASSET TRANSFER

                               & SUPPLY AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                             WOMEN FIRST HEALTH CARE

                                       AND

                        ORTHO-MCNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                 ORTHO-EST(R) ASSET TRANSFER & SUPPLY AGREEMENT

<TABLE>
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ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS...........................................................................................        1
         1.1      "Affiliate"....................................................................................        2
         1.2      "Effective Date"...............................................................................        2
         1.3      "Indemnifiable Claim"..........................................................................        2
         1.4      "Manufacturing Know-How".......................................................................        2
         1.5      "Net Sales"....................................................................................        2
         1.6      "Product"......................................................................................        3
         1.7      "Specifications"...............................................................................        3
         1.8      "Territory"....................................................................................        3
         1.9      "Trademark"....................................................................................        3

ARTICLE II. ORTHO-EST(R) TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP AND TRADEMARK LICENSE.............................................        3
         2.1      Ownership Transfer.............................................................................        3
         2.2      Excluded Assets................................................................................        4
         2.3      Tax Liabilities................................................................................        4
         2.4      Trademark License..............................................................................        4
         2.5      Use of Trademarks..............................................................................        5
         2.6      Validity & Ownership of Trademark..............................................................        5
         2.7      Quality Control................................................................................        6
         2.8      Trademark Review...............................................................................        6
         2.9      Term of Trademark License......................................................................        7
         2.10     Adverse Reaction Reporting.....................................................................        7

ARTICLE III. SOURCING............................................................................................        8
         3.1      Supply.........................................................................................        8
         3.2      Replacement Manufacturer.......................................................................        8
         3.3      Technology Transfer............................................................................        8
         3.4      Replacement Manufacturing Qualifications.......................................................        9
         3.5      Cost of Supply.................................................................................       10
         3.6      Inspection.....................................................................................       10
         3.7      Release........................................................................................       11
         3.8      Continuing Assistance..........................................................................       11
         3.9      Product Responsibility.........................................................................       11
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>
ARTICLE IV. INDEMNIFICATION......................................................................................       11
         4.1      ORTHO Warranty For Product Supplied by ORTHO...................................................       12
         4.2      WFHC Warranty..................................................................................       13
         4.3      ORTHO Indemnification..........................................................................       13
         4.4      WFHC Indemnification...........................................................................       14
         4.5      Special Damages................................................................................       14
         4.6      Prior Sales of Products........................................................................       14
         4.7      Procedure......................................................................................       14
         4.8      Cooperation....................................................................................       15

ARTICLE V. CONFIDENTIALITY.......................................................................................       16
         5.1      Confidential Information.......................................................................       16
         5.2      Return of Confidential Information.............................................................       17
         5.3      Prior Notice...................................................................................       17

ARTICLE VI. TERM-TERMINATION.....................................................................................       18
         6.1      Termination with Reason........................................................................       18
         6.2      Termination for Event of Default...............................................................       18
         6.3      Effect of Termination..........................................................................       19

ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................................       20
         7.1      Independent Contractor.........................................................................       20
         7.2      Notice.........................................................................................       20
         7.3      Force Majeure..................................................................................       21
         7.4      Assignment.....................................................................................       22
         7.5      Modification...................................................................................       22
         7.6      Waivers........................................................................................       22
         7.7      Law............................................................................................       22
         7.8      Public Disclosure..............................................................................       23
         7.9      Performance by Affiliates......................................................................       23
         7.10     Entire Agreement...............................................................................       23
         7.11     Limitation of Liability........................................................................       24
         7.12     Binding Agreement..............................................................................       24
         7.13     Severability...................................................................................       24
         7.14     Captions.......................................................................................       24
         7.15     Survival.......................................................................................       24
         7.16     Counterparts...................................................................................       25
         7.17     Remedies Not Exclusive.........................................................................       25
</TABLE>

EXHIBIT B  PRODUCTS-ORTHO-EST(ESTROPIPATE) DOSAGE
EXHIBIT C  GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF THE TRADEMARK ORTHO-EST(R)
EXHIBIT F  MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY COSTS
EXHIBIT G  PRESS RELEASE

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                           ORTHO-EST(R) ASSET TRANSFER

                               & SUPPLY AGREEMENT

        This ORTHO-EST(R) Asset Transfer & Supply Agreement ("Agreement"), is
entered into by and between ORTHO-MCNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("ORTHO"), and WOMEN FIRST HEALTHCARE, INC., a Delaware corporation
("WFHC") effective as of September 30, 2000.

                                    RECITALS

        WHEREAS, ORTHO and WFHC entered into a Distribution Agreement dated July
1, 1998 (the "Distribution Agreement") under which WFHC has the right to
distribute ORTHO-EST(R) in the United States (including Puerto Rico), which was
subsequently amended by Amendment No. 1 to Distribution Agreement dated November
25, 1998 (the "First Amendment");

        WHEREAS, ORTHO and WFHC desire to terminate the Distribution Agreement
and the First Amendment and transfer the product ORTHO-EST(R) to WFHC under the
terms and conditions as recited herein.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises contained
in this Agreement, ORTHO and WFHC agree as follows:

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                                   ARTICLE I.

                                  DEFINITIONS

        For the purpose of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

1.1 "AFFILIATE" means, with respect to a Party, a trust, business, joint
venture, partnership, corporation, association, is an officer or director of, or
any other person or entity that, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is owned by or under common
ownership with a Party. For purposes of this definition, the term "controls"
(including its correlative meanings and the terms "owned by" and "under common
ownership with") means the direct or indirect ownership of more than fifty
percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of a corporation or other
entity or comparable equity interest in any other type of entity.

1.2 "EFFECTIVE DATE" means September 30, 2000.

1.3 "INDEMNIFIABLE CLAIM" means any claim brought by a party against the other
Party pursuant to Article IV.

1.4 "MANUFACTURING KNOW-HOW" means all technical information, whether tangible
or intangible, including any method, procedure, process, assay, trade secret,
testing, packaging, specification for materials, regulatory information
(including information contained in registration dossiers, drug master files and
other documents filed with regulatory authorities), quality control, validation
and equipment necessary for the manufacture, production, and/or formulation of
ORTHO-EST(R).

1.5 "NET SALES" means the amount invoiced by WFHC or its sublicensees for sales
of the Product to a third party in the Territory, less estimates which will be
adjusted to actual on a periodic basis of: (i) discounts, including cash
discounts, discounts to managed care or similar organizations or government
organizations, rebates paid, credit, accrued or actually taken, including
government rebates such as Medicaid chargebacks or rebates, and retroactive
price reductions or allowances actually allowed or granted from the billed
amount, and commercially reasonable and customary fees paid to distributors
(other than to a distributor that is an Affiliate of WFHC), (ii) credits or

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allowances actually granted upon claims, rejections or returns of such sales of
the Product, including recalls, regardless of WFHC requesting such recalls and
(iii) taxes, duties or other governmental charges levied on or measured by the
billing amount when included in billing, as adjusted for rebates, charge-backs,
and refunds.

1.6 "PRODUCT" means an estropipate product currently labeled and packaged under
the name ORTHO EST(R) in one of the dosage forms listed in Exhibit B hereto.

1.7 "SPECIFICATIONS" means the product Specifications for ORTHO-EST(R) attached
hereto as Exhibit A.

1.8 "TERRITORY" means the United States of America and Puerto Rico.

1.9 "TRADEMARK" means ORTHO-EST(R).

                                   ARTICLE II.

                       ORTHO-EST(R) TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

                              AND TRADEMARK LICENSE

2.1 OWNERSHIP TRANSFER. As of January 1, 2001, ORTHO agrees to sell, assign,
transfer and deliver to WFHC the Product in the Territory, in accordance with
the following provisions. The transfer of the Product shall consist of a
transfer of all of ORTHO's right, title and interest in and to the new drug
applications, product registrations, government permits and licenses and similar
items, all as is, to the extent used exclusively for the Product in the
Territory. ORTHO agrees to sell, assign, transfer and deliver to WFHC all
necessary documentation and other materials and property in ORTHO's possession
needed by WFHC to assume regulatory and eventually manufacturing control of the
Product in the Territory. The Distribution Agreement and the First Amendment
shall remain in effect until December 31, 2000 at which time each shall
terminate;

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except that the following shall apply to the calculation of payments for the
fourth calendar quarter of 2000. The Net Trade Sales basis is hereby reduced
from $6,009,000 to $5,261,000 and the Income Before Tax or IBT is reduced from
$5,424,000 to $4,749,000. The reconciliation process shall be performed as
follows. The September 2000 YTD reconciliation will be completed using 9 months
of the annual amounts specified in the Distribution Agreement. The next
reconciliation will occur following December 31, 2000 utilizing the amended
amounts specified above. All calculations shall be adjusted to reflect amounts
previously paid.

2.2 EXCLUDED ASSETS. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the following
assets are specifically excluded from being transferred as an asset to WFHC
hereunder:

        (a)     the Trademark;

        (b)     the Manufacturing Know-How, other than as recited in Section
                3.3;

        (c)     All cash, cash equivalents, securities and bank accounts;

        (d)     Any regulatory filings or approvals outside the Territory; and

        (e)     All of ORTHO's receivables relating to the Product arising on or
                before the Effective Date.

2.3 TAX LIABILITIES. Any tax liabilities accruing to WFHC that arise out of the
transfer of the Product to WFHC and the resulting ownership of the Product by
WFHC shall be the sole responsibility of WFHC, and ORTHO shall have no liability
therefor.

2.4 TRADEMARK LICENSE. ORTHO hereby grants to WFHC for the term set forth in
Section 2.9 an exclusive license (subject to ORTHO retaining certain rights as
recited hereinafter) (the "License") in the Territory to use the Trademark in
connection with the advertisement, manufacture, use, distribution, marketing and
sale of the Product. ORTHO agrees that so long as this Agreement shall remain in
effect, it shall not grant or license any other person or entity any

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right in the Territory to use the Trademark and that it shall not itself use the
Trademark in the Territory, upon or in connection with any Products, provided,
however, that should an Event of Default described in Section 6.2(c) occur with
respect to WFHC or if WFHC shall be delinquent for two or more consecutive
calendar quarters in paying ORTHO undisputed amounts under Section 3.5, ORTHO
shall have the right to use the Trademark in connection with its own products.
Should ORTHO gain the right to use the Trademark as a result of the foregoing
sentence, ORTHO's right shall not terminate if WFHC cures such defaults. The
License is not transferable even in the event of a change of control and
revocable in the event of a change of control of WFHC. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the case of a change of control, WFHC has the right to request
ORTHO to permit WFHC or the new entity to retain the License granted hereunder.
In such event, ORTHO shall consider such request and either approve or
disapprove such request.

2.5 USE OF TRADEMARKS. WFHC's use of the Trademark hereunder shall be in
accordance with the Guidelines For the Use of the Trademark ORTHO-EST(R), as set
forth in Exhibit C, attached hereto.

2.6 VALIDITY & OWNERSHIP OF TRADEMARK. ORTHO represents and warrants to WFHC
that (i) it owns all right, title and interest in and to the Trademark and all
registrations therefor in the Territory; and (ii) there is no existing claim,
actual or threatened, of any person or entity which would affect the validity of
the Trademark or derogate from or impede WFHC's ability to use it. Based solely
upon the foregoing representations and warranties of ORTHO, WFHC acknowledges
the validity of the Trademark, and that ORTHO is the sole and exclusive owner
thereof. WFHC agrees that it shall not contest the validity or ownership of the
Trademark or any registrations relating thereto. WFHC acknowledges that this
Agreement does not constitute any form of assignment or transfer of ownership in
the Trademark. WFHC agrees that nothing in this

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Agreement shall give WFHC any proprietary or other interest or right in the
Trademark, or the right to register it or trademarks similar to the Trademark in
the Territory, other than pursuant to the License. WFHC agrees that all use of
the Trademark shall inure to the benefit of ORTHO. WFHC agrees at the reasonable
request of ORTHO to execute any and all documents necessary or appropriate to
assist ORTHO in maintaining ORTHO's rights in and to the Trademark, all at
ORTHO's sole cost and expense.

2.7 QUALITY CONTROL. In the event that ORTHO is neither manufacturing nor
supplying the Products for or to WFHC, WFHC shall comply with all good
manufacturing practices, and in any event shall comply with good storage
practices applicable to the Product and all laws and regulations having
application to the advertisement, production, manufacture, distribution or sale
of them and, upon thirty days prior written request by ORTHO, shall provide
ORTHO with a written certificate from an officer of WFHC that to such officer's
knowledge, the Products bearing the Trademark sold within the Territory meet all
applicable specifications required by law, industry standards, and applicable
federal, state and local regulatory authorities. WFHC shall permit ORTHO
reasonable access to WFHC's facilities during regular business hours and upon
thirty days prior written notice for the purpose of ascertaining WFHC's
compliance with the aforesaid quality assurance requirements.

2.8 TRADEMARK REVIEW. Advertising and other promotional materials created by
WFHC to promote sales of the Products, and any use of the Trademark, will be
submitted to ORTHO for its prior written approval which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld; provided that if no response is sent by ORTHO within
thirty (30) days after receipt of such request , approval shall be deemed to
have been given. All promotional costs and expenses and all selling costs and
expenses shall be borne by WFHC from and after the January 1, 2001.

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2.9 TERM OF TRADEMARK LICENSE. The License shall expire on June 1, 2008, unless
earlier terminated pursuant to Sections 6.1 and 6.2. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, WFHC shall use reasonable efforts to establish its own trademark for
the Product and discontinue use of the Trademark prior to June 1, 2008.

2.10 ADVERSE REACTION REPORTING. Until December 31, 2000, ORTHO shall retain
exclusive authority and responsibility for the handling of any adverse drug
experience (as defined in 21 CFR 314.80) reported to ORTHO involving the
Product, including the filing with the FDA of any such reports that it receives
directly from third parties or WFHC. Such adverse reporting during this period
shall be as recited in the Distribution Agreement. As of January 1, 2001, WFHC
shall assume exclusive authority and responsibility for handling any serious
adverse drug experience reported to WFHC and all other safety related
information regarding the drug that needs to be reported to the FDA and ORTHO
agrees to notify WFHC within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of notice from
any source of any and all serious adverse experiences reported to ORTHO alleged
to have been caused by any Product. As used herein, serious adverse experience
means an adverse drug experience occurring at any dose which results in death,
is life threatening, requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of
existing hospitalization, results in persistent or significant
disability/incapacity, is a congenital anomaly/birth defect, or is medically
significant. WFHC shall establish procedures consistent with and in compliance
with FDA rules and regulations to collect and report serious adverse experiences
and other safety information that is required to be reported to the FDA. ORTHO
has the right to review from time to time the procedure used by WFHC to collect
and report to the FDA serious adverse experiences and other related safety
information that is required to be reported to the FDA to confirm that WFHC is
complying with its obligation hereunder. ORTHO agrees to transfer to WFHC copies
of all information in its possession

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regarding historical serious adverse experience data and other safety data that
has been reported to the FDA at the time of the transfer of the asset in Section
2.1.

                                  ARTICLE III.

                                    SOURCING

3.1 SUPPLY. ORTHO agrees to supply WFHC's requirements of Product and WFHC
agrees to purchase its requirements of the Product from ORTHO until April 1,
2002, unless WFHC obtains an approved Replacement Manufacturer as described in
Sections 3.2 and 3.4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to prevent stockpiling of
Products, ORTHO shall not be required to supply in any calendar quarter
quantities of Products in excess of 115% of the average quantities supplied by
ORTHO to WFHC in the two consecutive prior calendar quarters.

3.2 REPLACEMENT MANUFACTURER. WFHC shall promptly after the Effective Date seek
to obtain one or more replacement sources of supply for the Product (each a
"Replacement Manufacturer"). WFHC agrees to use efforts that are reasonable and
necessary to obtain a Replacement Manufacturer for the Product no later than
April 1, 2002. If notwithstanding the use of such efforts, WFHC is unable to
obtain a replacement source of supply on or before April 1, 2002, ORTHO agrees
to supply WFHC's requirements beyond that date as described in Section 3.5.
ORTHO agrees to provide WFHC with a list of all suppliers and other sources of
materials relating to the manufacturing and packaging of the Products at WFHC's
request at no cost to WFHC.

3.3 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER. In order to enable WFHC to transfer the manufacture of
the Product to a Replacement Manufacturer, ORTHO agrees to provide WFHC and the
first Replacement Manufacturer the Manufacturing Know-how and technical
assistance (not to exceed 10 man days in total) needed to commercially
manufacture the Product according to the

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specifications approved and on file with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Such Manufacturing Know-how and technical assistance will be provided without
any cost to WFHC or the Replacement Manufacturer. While WFHC may, at its option
further transfer the Manufacturing Know-How and the manufacture of the Product
to subsequent Replacement Manufacturers, ORTHO shall only be obligated hereunder
to transfer the Manufacturing Know-How and provide technical assistance to the
first Replacement Manufacturer. Thereafter, it shall be WFHC's sole right and
responsibility to effect further transfers of the Manufacturing Know-How. ORTHO
agrees not to transfer or assign the Manufacturing Know-How to any person or
entity which person or entity sells, intends to sells or will sell estropipate
products in the Territory, other than WFHC and one or more Replacement
Manufacturers during the Term of this Agreement.

3.4 REPLACEMENT MANUFACTURING QUALIFICATIONS. ORTHO has the right to approve
each Replacement Manufacturer. ORTHO shall approve a Replacement Manufacturer if
it is in compliance with all laws, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations and
actions of the United States and of any state, county, township or municipal
subdivision or other governmental agency of the United States that may now or
hereafter be applicable to this Agreement, which are incorporated in the
Specifications or relate to the Facility generally, including, but not limited
to, CGMP requirements, employee safety and health, environmental protection and
internal ORTHO safety/industrial hygiene and

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labor standards or equivalent standards as determined by ORTHO. Such labor
standards are as recited in Exhibit D. Such safety/industrial hygiene standards
are as recited in Exhibit E. After the selection of the Replacement Manufacturer
by WFHC, ORTHO shall continue to have the right to inspect and audit the
Replacement Manufacturer's facilities as necessary or reasonable to enable ORTHO
to determine whether or not such manufacturer is manufacturing the Product
pursuant to CGMP and in compliance with internal ORTHO safety/industrial hygiene
and labor standards. In determining whether or not to approve a prospective
Replacement Manufacturer, ORTHO shall be reasonable in determining whether or
not the prospective Replacement Manufacturer is in compliance with all
applicable laws and ORTHO internal standards or equivalents thereto. In the
event that ORTHO rejects or disapproves a proposed Replacement Manufacturer,
ORTHO shall inform WFHC in writing in reasonable detail of the reason(s) for
such rejection or disapproval.

3.5 COST OF SUPPLY. During the period from the Effective Date until April 1,
2002, WFHC agrees to pay ORTHO for Product supplied according to the Fully
Burdened Costs set forth in Exhibit F. Beginning in the 2nd calendar quarter
2002, for product purchases from ORTHO, WFHC agrees to pay the Supply Costs set
forth in Exhibit F plus a premium of 30% of Net Sales, which premium will
increase each calendar quarter thereafter by 10% of Net Sales. Payments to ORTHO
are due on a quarterly basis 30 days after receipt of an invoice for Product
supplied during the past calendar quarter.

3.6 INSPECTION. WFHC shall have 30 days after receipt of any shipment of
Products from ORTHO to examine such Products to determine if they conform to the
Specifications and if they are free from defects in design, material and
workmanship, and, on the basis of such examination, to accept or reject such
shipment. All Products shall have a shelf-life of at least two (2) years prior
to the applicable expiration date at the time such Products are first received
and accepted by WFHC. Any claims shall be made by WFHC in writing to ORTHO,
indicating in detail the nonconforming characteristics of the Products. After
the submission of a claim by WFHC, ORTHO shall, at WFHC's option, provide WFHC
with (i) a refund of the full amount paid by WFHC for such Products, (ii) a
credit against future billings equal to the full amount paid by WFHC for such
Products, or (iii) replacement for such Products. In no event shall ORTHO be

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required to accept the return of any Products or provide reimbursement or credit
for any Products to WFHC solely because the expiration date for such Products
shall have passed, provided that such Products have been received and accepted
by WFHC at least two (2) years prior to the applicable expiration date. ORTHO
shall pay for all shipping costs of returning the Products that are the subject
of claims. ORTHO shall bear the risk of loss for such Products, beginning at
such time as they are taken at WFHC's premises for return delivery.

3.7 RELEASE. Any shipment of the Products to WFHC for which WFHC shall not
submit a claim within 30 days after delivery shall be deemed accepted. Upon
acceptance, WFHC shall release ORTHO from all claims for non-conformity or
defects except claims for latent defects which are not reasonably detectable at
the time of acceptance.

3.8 CONTINUING ASSISTANCE. ORTHO shall, at WFHC's request, provide reasonable
assistance and information to WFHC relating to WFHC's regulatory, reporting and
compliance requirements relating to the Products during the period from January
1, 2001 through the expiry of the last Product manufactured or supplied by
ORTHO.

3.9 PRODUCT RESPONSIBILITY. ORTHO shall be responsible for any and all rebates,
chargebacks, discounts, returned goods and the like for all Products sold by
ORTHO and its Affiliates prior to the date of this Agreement. In the event that
WFHC issues any rebates, refunds or customer credits in respect of any such
Products, WFHC shall be entitled to offset any amounts owed to ORTHO under this
Agreement by the full amount of any such rebates, refunds or customer credits.

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                                  ARTICLE IV.

                                INDEMNIFICATION

4.1 ORTHO WARRANTY FOR PRODUCT SUPPLIED BY ORTHO. ORTHO warrants that any
Products to be supplied to WFHC by ORTHO hereunder will, upon shipment, comply
in all respects with the Specifications and the specifications referred to in
the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, and regulations issued pursuant to that
Act, including but not limited to, regulations concerning current good
manufacturing practices and the Quality System Regulations (as defined by the
FDA)(the "QSR's"). The foregoing warranty shall not apply to any Products that
after delivery to WFHC (i) has been tampered with or otherwise altered; (ii) has
been subjected to misuse, negligence or accident; or (iii) has been stored,
handled or used in a manner contrary to FDA or other governmental requirements
or ORTHO's written instructions or applicable industry practices or standards.
Subject to the first sentence of this Section 4.1 and except as otherwise
expressly provided herein. ORTHO MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTY AS TO
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY OTHER MATTER WITH
RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT WHETHER USED ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH ANY OTHER
MATERIAL. ORTHO agrees to bear the direct, incremental out-of-pocket costs
reasonably incurred by WFHC due to the recall of any Product or seizure of any
Product by appropriate governmental authorities as a result of a wrongful act or
omission by ORTHO, including without limitation negligence in manufacture or
failure to comply with applicable regulations concerning good manufacturing
practices and the QSR's. ORTHO further represents and warrants that to the best
of its knowledge, the Trademark and the Products do not infringe any patent,
trademark, service mark, trade name, copyright, trade secret or other
proprietary rights (collectively, "Intellectual Property") of third parties in
the

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Territory, and it is the holder of all intellectual Property necessary to
perform its obligations hereunder.

4.2 WFHC WARRANTY. WFHC warrants that it will comply with all laws, regulations
and orders in the United States, respecting sale and, when it or a Replacement
Manufacturer assumes the responsibility for the manufacturing of the Products.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, WFHC specifically warrants
that during the term of the this Agreement it will have in place an effective
system for tracking Products in the event a recall is necessary. WFHC further
agrees to use its reasonable best efforts in the event of a recall to notify all
Product purchasers of the recall and to facilitate retrieval of Products
recalled. During the period when ORTHO manufactures the Product, WFHC further
agrees to notify ORTHO within seventy-two hours of receipt of notice from any
source of any and all adverse reactions reported to WFHC alleged to have been
caused by any Product, or any other issues related to the design, materials or
workmanship of the Product reported to WFHC. WFHC agrees to maintain (a)
workers' compensation insurance for all of its employees, the limits of which
shall be statutory, and (b) commercial general liability and automobile
insurance with limits of not less than $5,000,000 per occurrence.

4.3 ORTHO INDEMNIFICATION. ORTHO hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, defend and
hold harmless WFHC, its officers, directors, shareholders, Affiliates, agents
and employees form and against any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of
action or judgments of any kind, nature and description for injury to or death
of any person or persons whomsoever, together with cost and expenses thereto,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of any product liability
claims to the extent that ORTHO has breached its warranties set forth in Section
4.1 hereof.

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4.4 WFHC INDEMNIFICATION. WFHC hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, defend and
hold harmless ORTHO, its Affiliates, officers, agents and employees from and
against any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action or judgments of
any kind, nature and description as a result of WFHC's breach of any of its
warranties contained herein and for any statement, representation or warranty
made by WFHC or any of its agents with respect to a Product or that is not
consistent with the statements, representations or warranties contained in the
Product labeling or package insert and for any product liability claims for
damages caused by the Products manufactured by a Replacement Manufacturer that
do not meet the Specifications.

4.5 SPECIAL DAMAGES. Except as set forth in Section 4.3 and 4.4 hereof, neither
party shall, in any case, be liable to the other party for special, incidental
or consequential damages arising from breach of warranty, breach of contract,
negligence or any other legal theory. Such damages include, but are not limited
to, loss of profits or revenue, injury to business, cost of capital, cost of any
substitute product, facilities or services, or claims of customers of either
party for such damages.

4.6 PRIOR SALES OF PRODUCTS. The parties agree that WFHC shall have no liability
whatsoever for claims in respect of any Products sold by ORTHO and its
Affiliates prior to the date of this Agreement, including without limitation,
any past or present, pending or threatened personal injury claims relating to
the use of the Products or similar products, and ORTHO agrees to protect,
indemnify, defend and hold harmless WFHC, its officers, directors, shareholders,
Affiliates, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, demands,
actions, causes of action or judgments of any kind, nature and description
arising from or relating to such matters.

4.7 PROCEDURE. The Party seeking indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") shall
inform the other Party promptly of any Indemnifiable Claim which is brought
against it and shall, to the

                                       14
<PAGE>   18

extent such Indemnifiable Claim is brought by a third party, at the other
Party's request, cooperate fully with the other Party in defending such
Indemnifiable Claim. The Indemnified Party, at its expense, shall have the right
to advise and consult on and participate in any related suit or proceeding,
subject to the ultimate control of the Indemnifying Party. The other Party
("Indemnifying Party") shall have full control over the suit or proceedings,
including the right to settle, through counsel of its choice who is reasonably
acceptable to the Indemnified Party; provided, however, the Indemnifying Party
will not, absent the consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld), consent to the entry of any judgement or enter into any
settlement that (1) provides for any relief other than the payment of monetary
damages for which the Indemnifying Party shall be solely liable and (2) where
the claimant or plaintiff does not release the Indemnified Party from all
liability in respect thereof. If the Indemnifying Party declines to accept
control of the defense of such claim or action, the Indemnified Party may retain
counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party and control the defense of the
claim or action, provided that the claim or action may not be settled by the
Indemnified Party without the approval of the Indemnifying Party, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If the Indemnifying Party elects
to assume the defense of any claim or action, such party shall not settle the
same without the consent of the Indemnified Party if such settlement would
impose any monetary or other material obligation or burden on the Indemnified
Party or require the Indemnified Party to submit to a temporary restraining
order or an injunction or otherwise limit the Indemnified Party's rights under
this Agreement. Any payment made by the Indemnifying Party to settle any such
claim or action shall be at its own cost and expense.

4.8 COOPERATION. ORTHO and WFHC agree to promptly notify each other of and
cooperate with and assist each other in investigating and answering any customer
and regulatory complaints

                                       15
<PAGE>   19

and inquiries concerning any of the Products without prejudice as to which party
might be ultimately liable or responsible therefor. In connection therewith,
each party will comply with the provisions of the Ortho-McNeil Complaint
Procedures in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE V.

                                 CONFIDENTIALITY

5.1 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Except to the extent expressly authorized by this
Agreement or otherwise agreed to by the Parties in writing, the Parties agree
that, during the Term and for five (5) years thereafter, the receiving party
shall keep strictly confidential and shall not publish or otherwise disclose or
use in any way or for any purpose other than as provided for in this Agreement
any information marked as confidential by the providing Party ("Confidential
Information") furnished to it by the other Party pursuant to this Agreement,
except to the extent that the receiving party can establish by competent
evidence that such Confidential Information:

        (a) is already lawfully known to the recipient at the time of disclosure
as documented by recipient; or

        (b) is or becomes generally available to the public other than through
any act or omission of the recipient in breach of this Agreement; or

        (c) is acquired by the recipient from a third party having, to
recipient's best knowledge, the lawful right to disclose same; or

        (d) is required by law to be disclosed; or

        (e) is required to be disclosed in order to exercise rights granted or
retained pursuant to this Agreement, provided that any such disclosure will be
subject to use and disclosure restrictions similar to those provided herein.

                                       16
<PAGE>   20

Each Party shall use the same efforts to keep secret and prevent the disclosure
of such Confidential Information to parties, other than its agents, officers,
employees and representatives authorized to receive such Confidential
Information and who are bound by use and disclosure restrictions similar to
those provided herein, as it would use with respect to is own confidential and
proprietary information. Confidential Information shall remain the sole and
absolute property of the disclosing party, subject to the rights granted herein.

5.2 RETURN OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. In the event this Agreement is
terminated for any reason by either Party, or expires, as provided herein, each
Party agrees to return to the other, and thereafter refrain from using, all
Confidential Information given to it by the other Party, provided that each
party may retain one copy of such information in its law department files solely
for evidentiary purposes. All provisions of this Section shall survive the
expiration or termination of this Agreement.

5.3 PRIOR NOTICE. If a receiving party is required by law or rules or
regulations of any governmental agency or authority or any stock exchange to
disclose Confidential Information of the disclosing party, the receiving party
shall, prior to making any such disclosure, give the disclosing party sufficient
advance written notice to permit the disclosing party to seek a protective order
or other similar protection with respect to such Confidential Information, and
thereafter shall disclose only the minimum information which, in the opinion of
its counsel, is required to be disclosed in order to comply with the legal
requirements imposed on such party, whether or not a protective order or other
similar protection is obtained, and to the extent reasonably possible, only
under conditions of confidentiality.

                                       17
<PAGE>   21

                                   ARTICLE VI.

                                TERM-TERMINATION

6.1 TERMINATION WITH REASON. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the
contrary, ORTHO shall have the right, at its sole option, to terminate this
Agreement only to the extent it relates to ORTHO's obligation to supply the
Products and the License granted hereunder as follows:

        (a) upon not less than fifteen (15) days' advance written notice to WFHC
in the event there is a change of control of WFHC (a change of control shall be
deemed to have occurred if any third party that is not an Affiliate of WFHC (A)
acquires a majority of the shares of WFHC or a right to control the voting of a
majority of WFHC shares, or (B) acquire sufficient shares or the right to
control the votes of sufficient shares to enable such third party to designate
or elect a majority of WFHC's Board of Directors); or

        (b) only with respect to the License, immediately on June 30, 2003, if
WFHC fails to obtain a replacement source of supply for the Products; or

        (c) only with respect to the License, the earlier of June 1, 2008 or
when WFHC establishes its own trademark for the Product, in accordance with
Section 2.9 of this Agreement.

6.2 TERMINATION FOR EVENT OF DEFAULT. either Party may, in addition to
exercising any other available legal or equitable rights or remedies, terminate
this Agreement, effective immediately upon the expiration of any applicable cure
period, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below) with
respect to the other Party. The term "Event of Default" with respect to a Party
means the occurrence of any of the following events:

        (a) Except as provided in Section 6.2(b) below, the failure of a Party
to comply with or perform any material non-monetary provision of this Agreement,
and such failure remains uncured

                                       18
<PAGE>   22

for sixty (60) days following written notice of such failure (if such default is
cured within the cure period, such written notice shall be null and void),
provided that, if the default cannot be reasonably cured within sixty (60) days,
and the defaulting party can establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the
other party that it is diligently and actively pursuing a cure at the expiration
of the cure period, and that the default is reasonably capable of being cured,
then the cure period shall be extended for so long as a cure is being diligently
and actively pursued.

        (b) The failure of a Party to comply with or perform any material
monetary provision of this Agreement, and such failure remains uncured for
thirty (30) days following written notice of such failure (if such default is
cured within such period, such written notice shall be null and void).

        (c) A Party (i) admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they
mature, (ii) is the subject of a voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy
or of any other proceeding under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws which,
if involuntary, is not dismissed within ninety (90) days of the date filed,
(iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) is named in, or its
property is subject to, a suit for the appointment of a receiver which is not
dismissed within ninety (90) days of the date filed, or (v) is dissolved or
liquidated.

6.3 EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

        (a) Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, neither WFHC nor
its Affiliates shall thereafter have any further rights to (i) purchase Products
from ORTHO; or (ii) use the Trademark.

        (b) Termination or expiration of this Agreement shall not operate to
release any Party from any obligation or liability incurred under the terms of
this Agreement prior to or upon termination or expiration of this Agreement,
including the payment of any amounts due but

                                       19
<PAGE>   23

unpaid by one Party to the other, or from any obligations provided for in this
Agreement which survive termination of this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VII.

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

7.1 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The cooperation between the Parties as set forth in
this Agreement will not constitute, nor be construed as constituting, a
partnership or a relationship of agent and principal. Neither Party shall, under
any circumstance, act as, or represent itself to be, a partner, agent or a
representative of the other. Neither Party shall have any responsibility for the
firing, compensation, or employee benefits of the other Party's employees. No
employee or representative of either Party shall have any authority to bind or
obligate the other Party to this Agreement for any sum or in any manner
whatsoever, or to create or impose a contractual or other liability on the other
Party without said Party's prior authorized written approval. For all purposes,
and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the
legal relationship of the Parties under this Agreement shall be that of
independent contractors.

7.2 NOTICE. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be sufficiently given when personally delivered, telecommunicated (with
confirmation), delivered by overnight courier or mailed prepaid first class
registered or certified mail and addressed to the Party for whom it is intended
at its record address, and such notice shall be effective upon receipt, if
delivered personally, telecommunicated, or by overnight courier, or shall be
effective five (5) days after it is deposited in the mail, if mailed. The record
addresses and facsimile number of the Parties are set forth below:

                                       20
<PAGE>   24

                  If to WFHC:       Women First HealthCare, Inc.
                                    12220 El Camino Real
                                    Suite 400
                                    San Diego, CA. 92130
                                    Attn:  President
                                    Facsimile No.:  (858) 509-3888
                                    Phone No.:       (858) 509-1171

                  If to ORTHO:      Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.
                                    U.S. Route #202 South
                                    Raritan, NJ  08869-0602
                                    Attn:  President
                                    Facsimile No.:  (908) 707-9757

                  with a copy:      Johnson & Johnson
                                    One Johnson & Johnson Plaza
                                    New Brunswick, NJ  08933
                                    Attn:  Office of General Counsel
                                    Facsimile No.:  (732) 524-2788

Any Party, at any time, may change its previous record address or facsimile
number by giving written notice of the change to the other Party as herein
provided.

7.3 FORCE MAJEURE. Neither Party shall lose any rights hereunder or be liable to
the other Party for damages or losses on account of failure of performance by
the defaulting Party if the failure is occasioned by government action, war,
fire, explosion, flood, strike, lockout, embargo, act of God, or any other
similar cause beyond the control of the defaulting Party; provided, however,
that the Party claiming force majeure has exerted all reasonable efforts to
avoid such force majeure and has given prompt notice to the other Party of any
such force majeure. The Party giving such notice shall be excused from such of
its obligations hereunder as it is disabled from performing for so long as it is
so disabled; provided, however, that Party commences and continues to take
reasonable and diligent actions to cure or remedy such force majeure. In the
event of any such force majeure event,

                                       21
<PAGE>   25

the Parties shall meet promptly to determine an equitable solution to the
effects of any such event. The term of this Agreement shall not be extended by
any force majeure event.

7.4 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall not be assigned by either Party without the
written consent of the other Party, except that this Agreement may be assigned
in whole or in part to any Affiliate of a Party, provided that (i) the assigning
Party remains obligated for its Affiliate's performance of this Agreement, and
(ii) the assigning Party provides prior written notice to the other Party of the
anticipated assignment. Either Party may assign this Agreement to any party
succeeding (by sale, merger, reverse merger or otherwise) to substantially all
of the business and operations of such Party subject to the other Party's right
to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article 6.

7.5 MODIFICATION. No modification or amendment hereof shall be valid or binding
upon the Parties hereto unless made in writing and duly executed on behalf of
both of the Parties.

7.6 WAIVERS. Failure of a Party to insist upon the strict performance of any
provision hereof or to exercise any right or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver
of any right or remedy with respect to any existing or subsequent breach or
default.

7.7 LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and the legal relations between the
Parties hereto determined in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
without regard to what laws might otherwise govern under applicable principles
of conflict or choice of law. The parties hereto agree to litigate all disputes
arising under this Agreement in Federal Courts as the State of New York, U.S.A.
For that purpose, the parties submit to the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts
of the State of New York for the purposes relating to this Agreement and agree
to service of process by registered mail to the addresses listed in Section 7.2.

                                       22
<PAGE>   26

7.8 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. Neither Party shall originate any publicity, news release
or public announcements, written or oral, whether to the public or press,
stockholders or otherwise, relating to this Agreement, including its existence,
the subject matter to which it relates, performance under it or any of its
terms, to any amendment hereto or performances hereunder without the prior
written consent of the other Party, save only such announcements that are
required by law to be made or that are otherwise agreed by the Parties. Such
announcements shall be brief and factual. If a Party decides to make an
announcement required by law, it will give the other Party at least ten (10)
business days advance notice, where reasonably possible, of the text of the
announcement so that the other Party will have an opportunity to comment upon
the announcement. To the extent that the receiving Party reasonably requests
that any information in the materials proposed to be disclosed or deleted, the
disclosing Party shall request confidential treatment of such information
pursuant to Rule 406 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 24b-2 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, as applicable (or any other
applicable regulation relating to the confidential treatment of information) so
that there be omitted from the materials that are publicly filed any information
that the receiving Party reasonably requests to be deleted, unless in the
opinion of the disclosing Party's legal counsel such Confidential Information is
legally required to be fully disclosed. A Press Release approved by the Parties
with respect to the signing of this Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit G .

7.9 PERFORMANCE BY AFFILIATES. Any Party hereto may satisfy any of its
obligation hereunder through any of its Affiliates; provided, however, that each
Party guarantees the performance at all times of any of such Party's obligations
so delegated pursuant to this Section.

7.10 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
the Parties relating to the subject matter covered herein and supersedes all
prior oral or written agreements. No

                                       23
<PAGE>   27

covenants, promises, agreements, warranties, representations, conditions or
understandings, either oral or written, between the Parties other than as set
forth herein. The Distribution Agreement and the First Amendment are hereby
terminated effective as of December 31, 2000.

7.11 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Except with respect to the Parties' respective
indemnification obligations for third party claims pursuant to Article IV, the
Parties expressly agree that, with respect to any claim by either ORTHO or WFHC
against the other arising out of any breach of this Agreement, the liability of
the breaching Party to the non-breaching party for such breach shall be limited
under this Agreement or otherwise at law or equity to direct money damages only,
and in no event shall a Party be liable to the other for indirect, incidental,
punitive, exemplary or consequential damages, even if advised of the possibility
of the same.

7.12 BINDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to
the benefit of, the respective successors and permitted assigns of the Parties
hereto.

7.13 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or
unenforceable, such invalid or unenforceable provision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining provisions. If any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement are in conflict with any applicable statute or rule of law, then such
terms or provisions shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that they may
conflict therewith and shall be deemed to be modified to conform with such
statute or rule of law unless such modification would render such provision
inconsistent with the intent of the Parties.

7.14 CAPTIONS. All captions herein are for convenience only and shall not be
interpreted as having any substantive meaning.

7.15 SURVIVAL. The provisions of Articles IV and V of this Agreement shall
survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement for a period of five (5)
years after such termination or expiration. The provisions of this Agreement
that do not survive termination or expiration hereof

                                       24
<PAGE>   28

(as the case may be) shall, nonetheless, be controlling on, and shall be used in
construing and interpreting, the rights and obligations of the Parties hereto
with regard to any dispute, controversy or claim that may arise in connection
with this Agreement.

7.16 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number
of counterparts, and may be executed by facsimile. All counterparts shall
collectively constitute one and the same agreement.

7.17 REMEDIES NOT EXCLUSIVE. Except as specifically provided herein, the
remedies under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not alternative, and the
election of one remedy for a breach shall not preclude pursuit of other
remedies.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective duly authorized officers or representatives as of
the day and year first above written.

ORTHO-MCNEIL

PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.                   WOMEN FIRST HEALTHCARE, INC.

By:                                    By:
   ---------------------------------      ----------------------------------

President                              President

Date                                   Date
   ---------------------------------      ----------------------------------

                                       25
<PAGE>   29

                                    EXHIBIT B

PRODUCTS-ORTHO-EST (ESTROPIPATE)
DOSAGE

Trade Product:

        .625 mg Bottles of 100 tablets

        1.250 mg Bottles of 100 tablets

Sample Product:

        .625 mg Bottles of 30 tablets

        1.250 mg Bottles of 30 tablets

<PAGE>   30

                                    EXHIBIT C

All advertising copy, promotional materials, press releases, labels, packaging
and other materials relating to the Products and displaying the Trademark shall
comply with the following guidelines:

A.      The Trademark shall be used only in a manner reasonably intended to (i)
        promote the general goodwill and public acceptance of the products, and
        (ii) maintain enforceability of the Trademark against misuse or
        infringement by others.

B.      The Trademark is to appear prominently, in a distinctive type size
        and/or style, on all packaging and labels. The proper trademark symbol
        (i.e., (R)) should follow the Trademark in its most prominent location
        on all packaging and labels. The Trademark symbol should follow the mark
        once in each piece of printed matter and preferably where the Trademark
        appears most prominently on the first page of the piece.

C.      The Trademark shall always be used in a manner that will distinguish it
        from the surrounding text. The Trademark may be distinguished in the
        following ways: In all capital letters: ORTHO-EST; in italic print with
        an initial capital letter: Ortho-Est Tablets; and in print that is
        larger and/or bolder than text: ORTHO-EST.

D.      The Trademark shall always be used as a proper adjective. The Trademark
        should, whenever possible, be followed by the word(s) comprising the
        remainder of the Official Product Name, e.g., Tablets. This shall be
        done at least where the Trademark appears most prominently and on the
        first and last pages of a printed piece.

                1. The official product names to be used with the Trademark
                shall have initial capital letters, e.g., ORTHO-EST Tablets.

                2. If a promotional piece discusses more than one presentation
                of a product, the Trademark should be followed by the words
                comprising the remainder of the official product names, e.g.,
                ORTHO-EST Tablets and Caplets.

                3. The Trademark shall not be used in conjunction with a
                non-descriptive noun, e.g., "ORTHO-EST studies" is an incorrect
                usage.

                4. The word "brand" may also be used to reduce the possibility
                that the Trademark will be thought of as the generic name for
                the product. When used, it should always appear in small print,
                e.g., ORTHO-EST brand tablets.

E.      The Trademark Shall Not Be Used In The Possessive Form

                Correct: ___mg size ORTHO-EST Tablets

                Wrong: ORTHO-EST's 400 mg size

<PAGE>   31

F.      The Trademark Shall Not Be Used In The Plural Form

                Correct: The doctor recommended ORTHO-EST Tablets

                Wrong: The doctor recommended ORTHO-ESTS

G.      The Trademark Shall Not Be Hyphenated Or Divided To Create A New Word
        From The Trademark

                Correct: Patients Treated With ORTHO-EST Tablets

                Wrong: ORTHO-EST-treated patients

H.      The Trademark Shall Not Be Used As A Verb

I.      The Trademark Shall Not Be Equated With The Active Ingredient.

                Correct: ORTHO-EST Tablets (estropipate)

                Wrong: ORTHO-EST (estropipate)

J.      The Trademark, wherever it is used with respect to ORTHO-EST Rx
        products, shall utilize the same type style as currently used by ORTHO
        for Ortho-Est products.

<PAGE>   32

                                    EXHIBIT F

                           ORTHO-MCNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL
                               ORTHO EST AGREEMENT
                         MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY COSTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       PRODUCT CODE           PRODUCT               2001          2002         2003
                       ------------           -------               ----          ----         ----
<S>                    <C>                <C>                      <C>           <C>          <C>
FULLY BURDENED COST:      110101          EST .625MG 100'S         $ 2.71        $ 2.80       $ 2.90

                          110127          EST .625MG 30'S          $ 1.27        $ 1.31       $ 1.36

                          110201          EST 1.25MG 100'S         $ 3.43        $ 3.55       $ 3.67

                          110227          EST 1.25MG 30'S          $ 1.50        $ 1.55       $ 1.61

SUPPLY COST:              110101          EST .625MG 100'S         $ 3.25        $ 3.36       $ 3.48

                          110127          EST .625MG 30'S          $ 1.52        $ 1.57       $ 1.63

                          110201          EST 1.25MG 100'S         $ 4.12        $ 4.26       $ 4.40

                          110227          EST 1.25MG 30'S          $ 1.80        $ 1.86       $ 1.93
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   33

                                    EXHIBIT G

                                  PRESS RELEASE

                                          CONTACT:  Charles M. Caporale
                                                    Vice President/CFO
                                                    Women First HealthCare, Inc.
                                                    858-509-3806
                                                    ccaporale@womenfirst.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            WOMEN FIRST HEALTHCARE, INC. REVISES ITS AGREEMENTS WITH

                        ORTHO-MCNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.

SAN DIEGO, OCTOBER XX, 2000 - Women First HealthCare, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFHC)
announced that effective September 30, 2000 it has revised its contractual
agreements with Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. Women First expects the
revised agreement to result in increased liquidity, short-term revenue gain and
expense reduction during 2000. In addition, Women First expects the revised
agreement to provide significant long-term margin improvement beginning in 2001.

Under the terms of the revised agreement, Women First will permanently acquire
all rights to the ANDA for ORTHO-EST(R) and is no longer obligated to make
required aggregate payments of $28 million to Ortho-McNeil over the next seven
years. In addition, Women First will license the trademark for ORTHO-EST(R)
through June 2008, during which time it will seek to register a new mark for the
product.

As part of the revised agreement, the three-year ORTHO-PREFEST(R) contract has
been shortened and will expire on December 31, 2000. Women First will continue
to generate revenue from the ORTHO-PREFEST(R) contract through year-end 2000.

In addition, the revised agreement provides for a three-month contract for the
new Trialogue(TM) division of Women First. Under the terms of the agreement,
Trialogue will fund a medical education program, Lifetime Hormonal
Management-Patient Acceptance of HRT, and will contract with an outside vendor
for program management and development.

"These changes represent short-term and long-term advantages to the Company,"
said Charles M. Caporale, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Women
First. "The cash elements of the revised agreement provide substantial
improvement in our liquidity and will positively impact our 3rd quarter results.
Our ownership of ORTHO-EST(R) will bring profit margin improvements beginning in
2001. Importantly, our sales force now has two effective estrogen options for
midlife women - an oral form with ORTHO-EST(R) and a patch with esclim(R)."

                                     -more-

Women First HealthCare Revises Its Agreements With Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical,
Inc.

<PAGE>   34

2-2-2

ABOUT WOMEN FIRST HEALTHCARE, INC.

Founded in 1996, Women First HealthCare, Inc. is a San Diego-based company
dedicated to improving the health and well being of women transitioning from
perimenopause through postmenopause and to supporting the OB/GYNs, Nurse
Practitioners, and other health professionals who manage their care. The
Company, which has established solutions for midlife women and their clinicians,
is structured into three operating divisions. Pharmaceutical is responsible for
the marketing of prescription products, which currently include hormone
replenishment--both oral and patch--and cholesterol-lowering prescription
products, and Daily Difference(TM) dietary supplements developed in consultation
with Tufts University School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Consumer is
responsible for the Company's self-care line of products available through its
www.womenfirst.com Marketplace, As We Change(R) national mail order catalog, and
Internet retailer, www.aswechange.com. Trialogue(TM), the Corporate Marketing
Division, is responsible for providing access to Women First's network of
opinion leaders and clinicians through strategic marketing programs for sale to
major pharmaceutical companies. Integrated access includes the Company's
comprehensive online health portal, www.womenfirst.com/gateway (Professional
Gateway for Health Professionals); database communications; and continuing
medical education programs.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995: This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, and Women First
HealthCare, Inc. cautions you that any forward-looking information is not a
guarantee of future performance. Women First HealthCare, Inc. disclaims any
intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results
could differ materially due to a number of factors, including (i) changes in our
contractual relationships with Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and Bristol-Myers
Squibb, (ii) our ability to obtain additional financing for our future capital
needs, and (iii) additional factors set forth in the Company's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
period ended December 31, 1999 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
six-month period ended June 30, 2000

                                      # # #

                                       ii<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.1(B)

                         ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) CO-PROMOTION

                                    AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                             WOMEN FIRST HEALTH CARE

                                       AND

                        ORTHO-MCNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.

                                       1
<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     Page
                                                                                                                     ----
<S>                                                                                                                  <C>
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS...........................................................................................       1

         1.1      "Affiliate"....................................................................................       1
         1.2      "Contraceptive Product"........................................................................       1
         1.3      "Co-Promotion".................................................................................       1
         1.4      "Detail" (or "Details" and "Detailing")........................................................       2
         1.5      "Detail Report"................................................................................       2
         1.6      "Effective Date"...............................................................................       2
         1.7      "Executive Committee"..........................................................................       2
         1.8      "HRT Product"..................................................................................       2
         1.9      "Initial PREFEST Physicians"...................................................................       2
         1.10     "Joint Marketing Committee" or "JMC"...........................................................       2
         1.11     "Marketing Plan"...............................................................................       2
         1.12     "Medical Education Program"....................................................................       2
         1.13     "Net Sales"....................................................................................       2
         1.14     "ORTHO-PREFEST(TM)"............................................................................       3
         1.15     "ORTHO Sales Force"............................................................................       3
         1.16     "Prescribing Physicians".......................................................................       3
         1.17     "Primary Position".............................................................................       3
         1.18     "Primary Presentation".........................................................................       3
         1.19     "Revised PREFEST Physicians"...................................................................       3
         1.20     "Sales Message"................................................................................       3
         1.21     "Non-Targeted Prescribing Physicians"..........................................................       3
         1.22     "Term".........................................................................................       3
         1.23     "Territory"....................................................................................       3
         1.24     "Trademarks"...................................................................................       3
         1.25     "WFHC Called-on Physicians"....................................................................       3
         1.26     "WFHC Sales Force".............................................................................       4

ARTICLE II. TERMINATION, GRANTS AND RESTRICTIONS.................................................................       4

         2.1      Termination....................................................................................       4
         2.2      Grant..........................................................................................       4
         2.3      Retained Rights................................................................................       4
         2.4      Non Compete....................................................................................       4

ARTICLE III. STRATEGY/COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES.................................................................       5

         3.1      Strategy.......................................................................................       5
         3.2      Committees.....................................................................................       5
         3.3      Joint Marketing Committee......................................................................       5
         3.4      Executive Committee............................................................................       6

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                   <C>
ARTICLE IV. PROMOTION AND DETAILING..............................................................................       6
         4.1      Co-Promotion...................................................................................       6
         4.2      WFHC's Details.................................................................................       7
         4.3      Sales Force....................................................................................       7
         4.4      Detail Reports.................................................................................       7
         4.5      Co-Promotion Audit of Performance..............................................................       7

ARTICLE V. ROLES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES REGARDING ORTHO-PREFEST(TM)......................................       7

         5.1      ORTHO's Roles and Obligations..................................................................       7
         5.2      WFHC'S Roles and Obligations...................................................................       9

ARTICLE VI. COMPENSATION.........................................................................................       9

         6.1      ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) Call Compensation 2000.......................................................       9
         6.2      ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) Royalty......................................................................      10
         6.3      Incentive Plan.................................................................................      11
         6.4      Launch Meeting Costs...........................................................................      11
         6.5      Audit..........................................................................................      11
         6.6      Objections.....................................................................................      11
         6.7      Overdue Payments...............................................................................      11
         6.8      Netting........................................................................................      12

ARTICLE VII. SAMPLING PROGRAM....................................................................................      12

         7.1      Samples........................................................................................      12
         7.2      Compliance with Law............................................................................      12

ARTICLE VIII. MEDICAL EDUCATION..................................................................................      12

         8.1      New Programs...................................................................................      12
         8.2      Indemnification................................................................................      12

ARTICLE IX. REPRESENTATION, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.............................................................      13

         9.1      FDA Approval...................................................................................      13
         9.2      Labeling.......................................................................................      13
         9.3      Manufacture....................................................................................      13
         9.4      WFHC Sales Force...............................................................................      13

ARTICLE X. INDEMNIFICATION.......................................................................................      13

         10.1     ORTHO and WFHC.................................................................................      13
         10.2     ORTHO..........................................................................................      13
         10.3     Procedure......................................................................................      14
         10.4     Insurance......................................................................................      14
</TABLE>

                                       ii
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                   <C>

ARTICLE XI. CONFIDENTIALITY......................................................................................      14

         11.1     Confidential Information.......................................................................      14
         11.2     Retention of Confidential Information..........................................................      15
         11.3     Prior Notice...................................................................................      15

ARTICLE XII. TRADEDRESS AND PACKAGING............................................................................      15

         12.1     Trademark......................................................................................      15

ARTICLE XIII. TERM-TERMINATION...................................................................................      16

         13.1     Initial Term...................................................................................      16
         13.2     Option to Terminate............................................................................      16
         13.3     Termination for Event of Default...............................................................      16
         13.4     Effect of Termination..........................................................................      17

ARTICLE XIV. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS........................................................................      17

         14.1     Rights.........................................................................................      17
         14.2     Infringement...................................................................................      17

ARTICLE XV. DISPUTE RESOLUTION...................................................................................      18

         15.1     Initial Resolution.............................................................................      18

ARTICLE XVI. MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................................      18

         16.1     Independent Contractor.........................................................................      18
         16.2     Notice.........................................................................................      18
         16.3     Force Majeure..................................................................................      19
         16.4     Assignment.....................................................................................      19
         16.5     Modification...................................................................................      19
         16.6     Waivers........................................................................................      19
         16.7     Governing Law..................................................................................      20
         16.8     Public Disclosure..............................................................................      20
         16.9     Performance by Affiliates......................................................................      20
         16.10    Entire Agreement...............................................................................      20
         16.11    Limitation of Liability........................................................................      20
         16.12    Binding Agreement..............................................................................      20
         16.13    Severability...................................................................................      20
         16.14    Captions.......................................................................................      21
         16.15    Survival.......................................................................................      21
         16.16    Counterparts...................................................................................      21
         16.17    Remedies Not Exclusive.........................................................................      21
</TABLE>
                                       iii

<PAGE>   5

                    ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) CO-PROMOTION AGREEMENT

             This ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) Co-Promotion Agreement ("Agreement"), by and
between ORTHO-MCNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL, INC., a Delaware corporation ("ORTHO"), and
WOMEN FIRST HEALTHCARE, INC., a Delaware corporation ("WFHC") is made effective
as of September 30, 2000.

                                    RECITALS

             WHEREAS, ORTHO and WFHC entered into a Co-Promotion Agreement dated
May 27, 1999 (the "Original Agreement") to co-promote ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), ORTHO
TRI-CYCLEN(R) and ORTHO-ELODOSE(TM);

             WHEREAS, ORTHO and WFHC, entered into a First Amendment to
Co-Promotion Agreement dated May 27, 2000 ("First Amendment") eliminating from
the Original Agreement the right of WFHC to co-promote ORTHO Oral Contraceptive
Products, particularly ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN(R), and ORTHO-ELODOSE(TM);

             WHEREAS, ORTHO and WFHC desire to terminate the Original Agreement
and the First Amendment, under the terms and conditions as recited herein.

             NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises
contained in this Agreement ORTHO and WFHC agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I.
                                  DEFINITIONS

             For the purpose of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:

        1.1 "AFFILIATE" means, with respect to a Party, a trust, business, joint
venture, partnership, corporation, association or is an executive officer or
director of, or any other person or entity that, directly or indirectly, through
one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is owned by or
under common ownership with a Party. For purposes of this definition, the term
"controls" (including its correlative meanings and the terms "owned by" and
"under common ownership with") means the direct or indirect ownership of more
than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of a corporation
or other entity or comparable equity interest in any other type of entity.

        1.2 "CONTRACEPTIVE PRODUCT" means any prescription pharmaceutical
product useful in preventing contraception in a human female.

        1.3 "CO-PROMOTION" means the promotion of a Product through ORTHO's and
WFHC's respective sales forces in the Territory under a single Trademark.

                                       1
<PAGE>   6

        1.4 "DETAIL" (OR "DETAILS" AND "DETAILING") means, with respect to
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), the activity undertaken by a sales representative during a
face-to-face sales call on physicians or other health care professionals with
prescribing authority to provide information on the use, safety, effectiveness,
contraindications, side effects, warnings and other relevant characteristics of
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), in a fair and balanced manner consistent with the
requirements of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, including, but not limited to,
the regulations of 21 CFR Part 202, and using, as necessary or desirable,
labeling or promotional materials, in an effort to increase physician
prescribing preferences of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), but excluding sample drops,
mentions and incidental contacts.

        1.5 "DETAIL REPORT" means the monthly report submitted by WFHC to ORTHO
described in Section 4.4.

        1.6 "EFFECTIVE DATE" means September 30, 2000.

        1.7 "EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE" the president of ORTHO and a Vice President of
Sales and Marketing for ORTHO and Mr. Edward Calesa (currently chairman of
WFHC), with the responsibilities as described in Article 3.

        1.8 "HRT PRODUCT" means any prescription estrogen or estrogen and
progestin combination product useful as hormone replacement therapy in a human
female.

        1.9 "INITIAL PREFEST PHYSICIANS" means physicians on a list of 22,000
Prescribing Physicians targeted to be Detailed by WFHC during the first and
second calendar quarters of 2000.

        1.10 "JOINT MARKETING COMMITTEE" OR "JMC" means the working group, as
described in Section 3.3, that is responsible for managing the day-to-day
administrative and operational activities related to the Co-Promotion of
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM).

        1.11 "MARKETING PLAN" means the Marketing Plan that was in effect as of
the Effective Date under the Original Agreement.

        1.12 "MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM" means the medical education program
described in Section 8.1.

        1.13 "NET SALES" means the amount invoiced by WFHC or its sublicensees
for sales of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) to a third party in the Territory, less estimates
which will be adjusted to actual on a periodic basis of: (i) discounts,
including cash discounts, discounts to managed care or similar organizations or
government organizations, rebates paid, credit, accrued or actually taken,
including government rebates such as Medicaid chargebacks or rebates, and
retroactive price reductions or allowances actually allowed or granted from the
billed amount, and commercially reasonable and customary fees paid to
distributors (other than to a distributor that is an Affiliate of WFHC), (ii)
credits or allowances actually granted upon claims, rejections or returns of
such sales of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), including recalls, regardless of WFHC
requesting such recalls and (iii) taxes, duties or other governmental charges
levied on or measured by the billing amount when included in billing, as
adjusted for rebates, charge-backs, and refunds.

                                       2
<PAGE>   7

        1.14 "ORTHO-PREFEST(TM)" means ORTHO's ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) brand, in all
dosage forms and package configurations.

        1.15 "ORTHO SALES FORCE" means the sales force of ORTHO Detailing
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM).

        1.16 "PRESCRIBING PHYSICIANS" means those physicians and nurse
practitioners in the field of women's health care, including, but not limited
to, OB/GYN physicians and primary care physicians with prescribing authority in
the Territory who appear on a target list to be determined as recited in
Sections 1.9 and 1.19.

        1.17 "PRIMARY POSITION" means the presentation of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) by
WFHC's Sales Force in the first position during the Detailing of Prescribing
Physicians.

        1.18 "PRIMARY PRESENTATION" means a Detail during which a sales
representative delivers the Sales Message.

        1.19 "REVISED PREFEST PHYSICIANS" means physicians on a list of 16,000
Prescribing Physicians targeted to be Detailed by WFHC during the 3rd and 4th
calendar quarters of 2000. The parties agree that this list was provided to Tim
Markey of ORTHO in an electronic mail message dated September 7, 2000 sent by
Daniel Relovsky of WFHC.

        1.20 "SALES MESSAGE" means the sales presentation on a given Product in
which at least the core message providing the main features and benefits of
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) is conveyed, which core message is the message that is agreed
upon by the JMC (as defined in the Original Agreement) for each sales
representative to use when making a sales presentation to a Prescribing
Physician.

        1.21 "NON-TARGETED PRESCRIBING PHYSICIANS" means those physicians who
are other than the Initial PREFEST Physicians.

        1.22 "TERM" means the period of time commencing September 30, 2000 and
ending December 31, 2000, unless terminated sooner hereunder.

        1.23 "TERRITORY" shall mean the United States of America, the District
of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

        1.24 "TRADEMARKS" means all trademarks, trade names, brand names, logos
and designs, whether registered or not, used during the Term in connection with
the identification, promotion, marketing or sale of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM).

        1.25 "WFHC CALLED-ON PHYSICIANS" means those Initial PREFEST Physicians
and nurse practitioners identified in the WFHC called-on list by name and
Medical Education Number (ME number) to be Detailed by WFHC.

        1.26 "WFHC SALES FORCE" means the sales force of WFHC Detailing
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM).

                                       3
<PAGE>   8

                                   ARTICLE II.
                      TERMINATION, GRANTS AND RESTRICTIONS

        2.1 TERMINATION. The Parties agree that the Original Agreement and the
First Amendment are terminated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement and
shall be of no further force or effect, including without limitation any
restrictions contained in Section 2.3 of the Original Agreement (as amended by
the First Amendment) with respect to WFHC's competitive activities beyond the
Term (as defined and used in the Original Agreement and the First Amendment).
From and after the Effective Date until the end of the Term, the Co-Promotion of
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) by WFHC and ORTHO shall be conducted under the terms of this
Agreement.

        2.2 GRANT. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
including but not limited to the rights reserved to ORTHO herein, ORTHO grants
to WFHC the right to Co-Promote and Detail ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the Territory to
Prescribing Physicians, as described in Article IV.

        2.3 RETAINED RIGHTS.

                (a) In addition to those rights that ORTHO retains under Section
                4.1 with respect to Co-Promoting and Detailing the
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) to Prescribing Physicians, ORTHO retains all
                rights to the ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) not expressly granted herein.

                (b) Except as specifically provided herein, nothing in this
                Agreement shall be construed or implied as a grant, assignment
                or transfer to either Party of a license or other right of any
                kind under any patent, Trademark or other intellectual property
                right owned or controlled by the other Party. ORTHO, as the
                originator of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), will retain full and sole
                control and ownership over ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) and all existing
                and future patents, Trademarks, regulatory approvals and other
                rights connected with ORTHO-PREFEST(TM).

        2.4 NON COMPETE. WFHC shall not market, promote, distribute or sell any
Contraceptive Product or HRT Product indicated and approved for human
consumption in the Territory, other than ORTHO-EST(R) and ORTHO-PREFEST(TM)
during the Term and for a period of three months immediately thereafter;
provided, however, that WFHC may promote an estrogen-only patch product or
another product that is other than a Contraceptive Product or HRT Product
through the WFHC Sales Force in only the second or third call position during a
Detail if such product(s) is defined in the call plan for its sales
representatives and such call plan is not changed more than four times per year,
and further provided that as of January 1, 2001, WFHC may promote ORTHO-EST(R)
and/or ESCLIM and/or any other non-competitive, non-Contraceptive Product and
non-HRT product in the first position. WFHC may, however, promote such estrogen
patch product or any Contraceptive Product through a sales force that is
independent from the WFHC Sales Force at anytime and in any position it so
desires. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that this Agreement is
terminated by WFHC under Section 13.3, the restrictions set forth in this
Section 2.4 shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.

                                       4
<PAGE>   9

                                  ARTICLE III.
                       STRATEGY/COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES

        3.1 STRATEGY. The Parties agree that the most efficient strategy to
achieve the objectives of their cooperation is through the Co-Promotion of
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), using a centrally coordinated marketing approach, a single
Trademark, and packaging and promotional literature as set forth in the
Marketing Plan.

             Upon reasonable consultation with WFHC, the Joint Marketing
Committee, and the Executive Committee, ORTHO shall have sole discretion in
determining the marketing strategy for ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the Territory,
including but not limited to the budget for promoting ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), product
positioning, education programs, Sales Message and Phase IV studies. In
addition, ORTHO shall be responsible for the preparation of Marketing Plans for
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM).

        3.2 COMMITTEES. For the purpose of implementing and coordinating the
Parties' promotional activities in the Territory and the related expenditures,
the Parties established a Joint Marketing Committee and an Executive Committee
under the Original Agreement, which committees are hereby established under this
Agreement. Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses associated with its
participation in the JMC and Executive Committee.

        3.3 JOINT MARKETING COMMITTEE.

                (a) FORMATION. The JMC shall consist of 2-4 members from each
                Party, with the members being representatives from the Parties'
                respective sales and marketing departments. ORTHO shall select
                one of its members to serve as chairperson of the JMC. Either
                Party may appoint, substitute or replace members of the JMC upon
                prior written notice to the other Party.

                (b) DECISION MAKING. All decisions of the JMC shall be made by a
                majority vote of the members. In the event the JMC cannot reach
                a mutual decision and is deadlocked on any matter to be decided
                by the JMC, the chairperson shall have the right to cast the
                deciding vote and render a decision on the matter. Either Party,
                however, may appeal any decision to the Executive Committee.

                (c) FUNCTION. The JMC shall be responsible, among other things,
                for:

                        (i) reviewing and commenting on the Marketing Plan;

                        (ii) implementing and supporting the Marketing Plan and
                        managing the day-to-day administrative and operational
                        activities related to the Co-Promotion of
                        ORTHO-PREFEST(TM);

                        (iii) coordinating the activities of each Party with
                        respect to the Co-Promotion of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the
                        Territory; and

                        (iv) selecting vendors.

                (d) MEETINGS. No meetings of the JMC will take place during the
                Term of this Agreement, unless requested by ORTHO.

                                       5
<PAGE>   10

        3.4 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

                (a) FORMATION. The Executive Committee shall consist of those
                people on the Committee under the CO-PROMOTION AGREEMENT as of
                the Effective Date hereof. ORTHO and WFHC may substitute or
                replace its members on the Executive Committee upon prior
                written notice to the other. Any replacement or substitute
                member shall be a person having a functionally equivalent
                position within that Party to that of the person replaced or
                substituted. WFHC may not substitute its member who is listed in
                Section 1.7, except in the case of the death, disability, or
                termination of employment, provided such is replaced with an
                individual in a functionally equivalent position at WFHC, or
                unless agreed to in advance in writing by ORTHO.

                (b) FUNCTION. The Executive Committee is responsible for:

                        (i) providing the leadership required to ensure the
                        optimal performance of the JMC;

                        (ii) reviewing and commenting on the Marketing Plan; and

                        (iii) addressing and deciding all matters referred to it
                        by the JMC.

                (c) MEETINGS. No meetings of the Executive Committee shall take
                place during the term of this Agreement, unless requested by
                ORTHO.

                (d) DECISION MAKING. All decisions of the Executive Committee
                shall be made by a majority vote of the members. If a majority
                of the Executive Committee cannot reach a decision on a given
                matter, the ORTHO representatives shall have the right to render
                a decision on the matter. Other than as provided above, ORTHO
                retains ultimate authority with respect to all strategic matters
                involving or relating to ORTHO-PREFEST(TM).

                                   ARTICLE IV.
                             PROMOTION AND DETAILING

        4.1 CO-PROMOTION. ORTHO and WFHC agree to deploy their respective WFHC
Sales Force and ORTHO Sales Force in an effort to Co-Promote and Detail
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and the Marketing Plan then in effect. In conducting such Co-Promotion and
Detailing, ORTHO and WFHC shall comply with all applicable laws and use
reasonable commercial efforts consistent with accepted pharmaceutical industry
business practices (including, but not limited to, the relevant American Medical
Association Guidelines). No Party shall be required to undertake any activity
under this Agreement which it believes, in good faith, may violate any
applicable law.

                                       6
<PAGE>   11

        4.2 WFHC'S DETAILS. During the Term, WFHC shall deploy the WFHC Sales
Force to Detail and Co-Promote ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) to Revised PREFEST Physicians
in the Territory as set forth in Section 4.3.

        4.3 SALES FORCE. All Detailing required under Section 4.2 shall be (a)
done by regular, full-time members of WFHC's Sales Force, (b) of a quality
equivalent to that provided by WFHC to product lines it is currently promoting
and (c) directed exclusively to the total coverage of Prescribing Physicians
targeted in the Marketing Plan. WFHC shall be solely responsible for the cost
and expense of fulfilling its Detailing obligations including, but not limited
to salaries, travel, materials, training.

        4.4 DETAIL REPORTS.WFHC, 30 days after each month, will provide to ORTHO
on an electronic tape a record of its Detailing activity by physician and
"rollable" to their territory, district and regional configuration. This file
will provide information on all calls to physicians, including the detail
position of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) presented by WFHC and samples that were left. A
territory, zip code file of the WFHC alignment should be provided. Once
submitted to ORTHO the Detail Report may not be revised by WFHC and the payments
described in Section 6.1 shall be based on the information contained in the
Detail Report, subject, however, to revisions (if any) to the Detail Report from
an audit under Section 6.5.

        4.5 CO-PROMOTION AUDIT OF PERFORMANCE.

                (a) ORTHO shall have the right to review and audit WFHC's call
                reporting records during regular business hours to confirm
                satisfaction of the obligations set out in this Article IV where
                there is a substantial difference between WFHC's call reporting
                records and the records of the IMS auditing service or other
                pharmaceutical industry call reporting service utilized by ORTHO
                hereunder. If, after such review, the Parties are unable to
                agree as to the results of ORTHO's audit, ORTHO may demand a
                verification of any certification by audit of WFHC's call
                reporting system to be conducted by a mutually agreed upon
                auditor.

                (b) In addition, ORTHO representatives may attend local and
                national sales meetings and training meetings of WFHC. Moreover,
                ORTHO representatives may accompany WFHC sales representatives
                to monitor their performance. Furthermore, ORTHO may audit
                WFHC's Detailing performance using Fast Tape or some other
                commercially available service or product.

                                   ARTICLE V.
                      ROLES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
                           REGARDING ORTHO-PREFEST(TM)

        5.1 ORTHO'S ROLES AND OBLIGATIONS.

                (a) PRODUCT. As between the Parties, ORTHO shall have the sole
                right and responsibility to manufacture, label, distribute and
                sell the ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) and to establish and modify the terms
                and conditions with respect to the sale of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM),
                including, without limitation, the price at which ORTHO-
                PREFEST(TM) will be sold, any discount applicable to payments or
                receivables, and the like. All sales of Products will be booked
                by ORTHO.

                                       7
<PAGE>   12

                (b) MEDICAL INQUIRIES. ORTHO shall respond to all medical
                questions or inquiries relating to ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) directed to
                each Party's respective sales force, unless such question or
                inquiry can be answered by reference to the FDA approved
                labeling and package insert. ORTHO shall designate a medical
                liaison to whom WFHC shall instruct the WFHC Sales Forces to
                direct medical questions or inquiries relating to
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM)

                (c) GOVERNMENTAL CONTACT. WFHC shall notify ORTHO's regulatory
                affairs department upon being contacted by the FDA or any state
                drug regulatory agency or any comparable governmental agency in
                the Territory with respect to any regulatory purpose pertaining
                to the use of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) by Prescribing Physicians. ORTHO
                shall also be responsible for maintaining the registration of
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), obtaining and maintaining the authorization
                and/or ability to market ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the Territory, and
                for initiating and/or responding to all contacts with the FDA
                and other regulatory agencies in the Territory relating to
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM). ORTHO shall retain responsibility for
                communicating with all government agencies and satisfying all
                requirements regarding maintenance of approvals to market
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the United States; provided, however, that
                WFHC may respond to any agency's inquiry regarding
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) if and only if (a) in the reasonable opinion
                of WFHC's counsel, such response is necessary to comply with the
                requirements of any law, governmental order or regulation, and
                (b) WFHC has requested the agency to direct the inquiry to ORTHO
                instead of WFHC, and such agency has refused such request; but
                in any such event, unless in the considered opinion of WFHC's
                counsel there is a legal prohibition against doing so, WFHC
                shall immediately notify ORTHO of such agency's inquiry and of
                WFHC's intention to make such response. ORTHO shall be permitted
                to accompany WFHC to any meeting with such agency, take part in
                any such communications and receive copies of all such
                communications.

                (d) REGULATORY DISPUTES/LAWSUITS. ORTHO shall retain exclusive
                authority and responsibility for handling, in any manner it
                deems appropriate, any disputes or lawsuits with any regulatory
                agency regarding the regulatory status of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM).

                (e) PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS. ORTHO shall provide WFHC with all
                required sales and promotional materials in accordance with the
                Marketing Plan then in effect. ORTHO shall provide WFHC with
                prompt notice of, and copies of, any changes in the label or
                labeling, or in the advertising, sales or promotional and
                training materials relating to ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), or of any
                significant programs that may affect the marketing, sale or
                distribution of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) to Prescribing Physicians.

                                       8
<PAGE>   13

                (f) ADVERSE REACTION REPORTING. ORTHO shall retain exclusive
                authority and responsibility for the handling of any adverse
                drug experience (as defined in 21 CFR 314.80) reported to ORTHO
                involving ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), including the filing with the FDA
                of any such reports that it receives directly from third parties
                or WFHC. ORTHO shall provide WFHC's Regulatory Department with
                copies of the periodic adverse drug experience reports,
                submitted to the FDA pursuant to 21 CFR 314.80(c)(2), at about
                the time of submission to the FDA. ORTHO shall promptly notify
                WFHC of any adverse drug experience report or series of adverse
                drug experiences that may affect the labeling of
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) or the use thereof in the Field.

        5.2 WFHC'S ROLES AND OBLIGATIONS.

                (a) PROMOTION. WFHC shall, consistent with customary
                pharmaceutical business practices and all applicable laws, rules
                and regulations, train, deploy, motivate (through appropriate
                incentives), and direct the WFHC Sales Force to Co-Promote and
                Detail ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) to Prescribing Physicians using
                promotional and sales materials supplied by ORTHO in accordance
                with the Marketing Plan or as otherwise decided by the Executive
                Committee and implemented by the JMC. WFHC may supplement the
                ORTHO promotional and sales materials with its own, only if
                approved in writing by ORTHO in advance. Moreover, any
                information including but not limited to information
                communicated via the Internet and scientific publications
                mentioning ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) (i) by name, (ii) by describing
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) or (iii) via an Internet link to
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), which WFHC intends to publish, disclose or
                otherwise distribute, must be approved in writing in advance by
                ORTHO.

                (b) ORDERS. WFHC is not authorized to solicit or accept sales
                orders for ORTHO-PREFEST(TM). If, for any reason, WFHC should
                receive sales orders for ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), WFHC shall promptly
                forward such orders to ORTHO as soon as practicable.

                                   ARTICLE VI.
                                  COMPENSATION

        6.1 ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) CALL COMPENSATION 2000. The Parties agree that no
compensation is due to WFHC under the Original Agreement. ORTHO shall compensate
WFHC for all activities under the Original Agreement and this Agreement as set
forth herein. For calendar year 2000, ORTHO will compensate WFHC as follows:

                (a) for the 1st and 2nd calendar quarters of 2000, ORTHO will
                pay WFHC $55 per Detail in the Primary Position of ORTHO-PREFEST
                (TM) to Initial PREFEST Physicians,

                (b) for the 3rd and 4th calendar quarters of 2000, ORTHO will
                pay WFHC $55 per Detail in the Primary Position of
                ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) to Revised PREFEST Physicians, provided that
                the maximum Details for which WFHC will be

                                       9
<PAGE>   14

                compensated in the 3rd and 4th calendar quarters of 2000 will be
                no more than 26,250 Details per calendar quarter over the Term;
                and

                (c) for the 1st and 2nd calendar quarters of 2000, ORTHO will
                pay WFHC $40 per Detail of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the Primary
                Position to 50% of the Non-Targeted Prescribing Physicians
                actually Detailed.

             Payments under Sections 6.1(a) and (c) shall be made within 15 days
of the Effective Date. Payments under Section 6.1(b) will be made on a monthly
basis by ORTHO to WFHC 60 days after the end of the month or 30 days after
receiving the Detail Reports from WFHC, whichever is later. If ORTHO disputes a
Detail Report, no payment needs to be made with respect to the disputed Details
until the dispute is resolved pursuant to the audit provision in Section 4.5.
Payment will be made with respect to all undisputed Details.

        6.2 ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) ROYALTY. The royalty for ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) for
calendar year 2000 shall be calculated as described herein. Forty-five days
after the end of each calendar quarter, ORTHO will determine the total number of
prescriptions written for ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) by Initial PREFEST Physicians (for
the 1st and 2nd calendar quarters of 2000) and by Revised PREFEST Physicians
(for the 3rd and 4th calendar quarters of 2000) during the preceding calendar
quarter by WFHC Called on Physicians using data from the IMS auditing service
("Total WFHC PREFEST Prescriptions or "P"). The ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) Net Sales
Price ("N") will be the forecasted net price per prescription as used in ORTHO's
annual business plan forecast. This Net Sales Price N may be adjusted in
periodic business plan adjustments during the year.

             The following formula will be used to calculate the PREFEST Royalty
(T1) owed to WFHC for the preceding quarter.

                                T(1) = P X N X R

             wherein

             T(1) equals the total royalty due to WFHC for the quarter;

             P equals the total PREFEST Prescriptions written by Initial PREFEST
Physicians (for the 1st and 2nd calendar quarters of 2000) and by Revised
PREFEST Physicians (for the 3rd and 4th calendar quarters of 2000) Detailed by
the WFHC Sales Force as defined above;

             N equals the ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) Net Sales Price as defined above;
and

             R equals the applicable royalty rate of 5%.

             Payments under this Section 6.2 shall be made as follows:

             For the 1st and 2nd calendar quarters of 2000, 15 days after the
Effective Date and;

             For the 3rd and 4th calendar quarters of 2000, 45 days after the
end of the quarter.

                                       10
<PAGE>   15

        6.3 INCENTIVE PLAN. WFHC agrees to implement a bonus and incentive plan
for the 4th quarter of 2000 in accordance with Exhibit A, attached hereto.

        6.4 LAUNCH MEETING COSTS. WFHC shall pay ORTHO the sum of $247,617 for
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) Launch Meeting costs. The Parties agree that such payment is
in full satisfaction and settlement of all of WFHC's liabilities and obligations
in connection with such Launch Meeting costs. This amount shall be offset
against the payments due to WFHC from ORTHO hereunder.

        6.5 AUDIT. The Parties shall keep accurate records of all data used for
the purpose of making the payments provided herein, which shall contain
sufficient detail to permit a determination of the accuracy of the reports.
Either Party, by and through its authorized third party representatives, shall
have the right, at its own expense and upon reasonable notice, to audit all of
the relevant books and records of the other Party that are directly related to
the promotion, Detailing and/or sale of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in order to determine
the accuracy of the quarterly reports and to verify the computation of amounts
due and owing, subject to the following, unless for good cause shown:

                (a) Such audit will be limited to the period of three (3) years
                following termination or expiration of this Agreement (or such
                longer period as such records may be required to be available by
                law or regulation);

                (b) No period of time shall be audited more than once; and

                (c) No audit shall be requested more than once in any twelve
                (12) month period.

        6.6 OBJECTIONS. All reports and all information contained therein
provided to a Party pursuant to this Article VI shall be deemed conclusive and
binding upon such Party unless written objection shall be lodged with the other
Party within one (1) year from the date of such report, except that objections
discoverable only upon audit shall be reserved for a period of three (3) months
after completion of an audit in which the facts giving rise to the objection are
discovered, regardless of when the audit is performed.

        6.7 OVERDUE PAYMENTS. In the event any payment due hereunder is not made
when due, the payment shall accrue interest (beginning on the date such payment
is due) calculated at the rate of one percent (1.0%) per month and such payment
when made shall be accompanied by all interest so accrued.

        6.8 NETTING. Any payments owed to WFHC by ORTHO under this Agreement, as
of the end of the 3rd calendar quarter of 2000 will be netted against amounts
owed ORTHO by WFHC under (i) the ORTHO-EST(R) Asset Transfer & Supply Agreement
between WFHC and ORTHO having the same effective date as this Agreement, and
(ii) the Distribution Agreement, as of the end of the 3rd calendar quarter of
2000.

                                       11
<PAGE>   16

                                  ARTICLE VII.
                                SAMPLING PROGRAM

        7.1 SAMPLES. ORTHO shall provide WFHC with samples, in amounts
consistent with the amounts it provides to the ORTHO Sales Force promoting
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) at no cost, according to the Marketing Plan, which will recite
how many samples will be distributed, when and where. At the end of the Term,
samples and sales aids will be returned to ORTHO in accordance with established
practices.

        7.2 COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. All activities in connection with the
distribution of samples shall be conducted in a manner which conforms to (a) the
Marketing Plan and (b) the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987, as may be
amended from time to time, and applicable state laws and regulations. Each Party
shall be responsible for compliance with the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of
1987, as may be amended from time to time.

                                  ARTICLE VIII.
                                MEDICAL EDUCATION

        8.1 NEW PROGRAMS. Under the Original Agreement, ORTHO agreed to pay WFHC
$6,800,000 plus up to 5% management fee to be used for Medical Education
Program(s) directed to ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) using providers selected by WFHC. This
financial commitment by ORTHO is hereby changed to $6,627,857, which as of the
Effective Date represents moneys already paid (including a management fee of
$125,000 already paid) or committed to be paid, plus an additional $1,000,000 to
be used by WFHC for the Medical Education Program set forth on Exhibit B. The
Medical Education Program shall be conducted as set forth in Exhibit B and must
be substantially completed during calendar year 2000. Programs not begun and
substantially completed in 2000 will not be reimbursed, thereby reducing the
$1,000,000 commitment accordingly.

             The additional $1,000,000 shall be paid as follows:

             1/3 upon the execution of the Agreement between WFHC and the
provider of the medical education program;

             1/3 upon the start of the Medical Education Program; and

             1/3 upon substantial completion of the Medical Education Program,
which must occur prior to December 31, 2000, or such 1/3 payment will not be
made.

        8.2 INDEMNIFICATION. WFHC agrees to indemnify and hold harmless ORTHO
against any claims by the provider identified on Exhibit C relating to
non-payment of such provider's invoices to WFHC for services rendered under
prior medical education programs conducted in connection with ORTHO products.

                                       12
<PAGE>   17

                                   ARTICLE IX.
                    REPRESENTATION, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

        9.1 FDA APPROVAL. ORTHO represents and warrants to WFHC that the data
submitted to the FDA in support of the approval of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the
Territory is complete and accurate in all material respects.

        9.2 LABELING. ORTHO covenants that ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) labeling and the
related sales, advertising, promotional and training materials provided to WFHC
by ORTHO (except for any such materials provided in accordance with
specifications provided by WFHC, with respect to which WFHC provides the same
covenant) shall conform to the FDA approved labeling for ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) and
will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

        9.3 MANUFACTURE. ORTHO covenants that it shall manufacture
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug
and Cosmetic Act and the FDA's Current Good Manufacturing Practices and
regulations promulgated thereunder, relating to the manufacture of
pharmaceutical products.

        9.4 WFHC SALES FORCE. WFHC covenants that it shall deploy the WFHC Sales
Force to Co-Promote ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the Primary Position.

                                   ARTICLE X.
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

        10.1 ORTHO AND WFHC. ORTHO and WFHC shall each indemnify and hold
harmless the other Party and their officers, directors, agents, employees and
Affiliates against and from any and all claims, suits, judgments, expenses
(including reasonable attorney fees), losses, liabilities and damages
(collectively, "Indemnification Claims" or "Claims") which the other Party may
incur or suffer which arise out of or are based upon (i) the material default by
such Party in the performance of any obligation of or agreement made by such
Party in this Agreement or the material breach of any warranty, representation,
or agreement made by such Party in this Agreement, (ii) the acts or omissions to
act of the agents, servants or employees of such Party related to their
obligations under or actions taken pursuant to this Agreement, including,
without limitation, acts or omissions to act which are: (a) intentional
misconduct or negligent acts or omissions to act or (b) outside of the scope of
the permissible conduct of such agents, servants or employees as required in
view of the terms of this Agreement, FDA approval of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), or any
rules or regulations of the FDA or any other governmental agency, authority or
entity, including, but not limited to, making claims for ORTHO-PREFEST(TM)
beyond the approved labeling, failing to provide the approved package insert as
may be required with ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) or recommending use in non-indicated
patients; and (iii) any and all actions, suits, proceedings, demands,
assessments, judgments, reasonable costs and legal and other expenses incident
to any of the foregoing.

        10.2 ORTHO. ORTHO further agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless
WFHC, its officers, directors, agents, employees and Affiliates, from and
against (i) all claims, monetary judgments, assessed damages and reasonable
attorney fees incurred by or assessed against WFHC for activities prior to any
termination of this Agreement on account of any claim

                                       13
<PAGE>   18

that the manufacture, use or sale of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the Territory
infringes the patent, trademark or other intellectual property right of any
third party, or (ii) any Claims on account of personal injuries (including
death) or product liability claims or other loss or damage to third parties
resulting from or relating to the manufacture, labeling, sale or use of
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), unless and to the extent such loss or damage was primarily
due to the negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct of WFHC (whether
committed by affirmative act or by omission).

        10.3 PROCEDURE. The Party seeking indemnification (the "Indemnified
Party") shall inform the other Party promptly of any such Indemnifiable Claim
which is brought against it and shall, to the extent such Indemnifiable Claim is
brought by a third party, at the other Party's request, cooperate fully with the
other Party in defending such Indemnifiable Claim. The Indemnified Party, at its
expense, shall have the right to advise and consult on and participate in any
related suit or proceeding, subject to the ultimate control of the Indemnifying
Party. The other Party ("Indemnifying Party") shall have full control over the
suit or proceedings, including the right to settle, through counsel of its
choice who is reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party; provided, however,
the Indemnifying Party will not, absent the consent of the Indemnified Party
(which consent will not be unreasonably withheld), consent to the entry of any
judgement or enter into any settlement that (1) provides for any relief other
than the payment of monetary damages for which the Indemnifying Party shall be
solely liable and (2) where the claimant or plaintiff does not release the
Indemnified Party from all liability in respect thereof. If the Indemnifying
Party declines to accept control of the defense of such claim or action, the
Indemnified Party may retain counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party
and control the defense of the claim or action, provided that the claim or
action may not be settled by the Indemnified Party without the approval of the
Indemnifying Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed. If the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of any claim or
action, such party shall not settle the same without the consent of the
Indemnified Party if such settlement would impose any monetary or other material
obligation or burden on the Indemnified Party or require the Indemnified Party
to submit to a temporary restraining order or an injunction or otherwise limit
the Indemnified Party's rights under this Agreement. Any payment made by the
Indemnifying Party to settle any such claim or action shall be at its own cost
and expense.

        10.4 INSURANCE. WFHC agrees to maintain (a) workers' compensation
insurance for all of its employees, the limits of which shall be statutory, and
(b) commercial general liability and automobile insurance with limits of not
less than $5,000,000 and $1,000,000, per occurrence, respectively.

                                   ARTICLE XI.
                                 CONFIDENTIALITY

        11.1 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Except to the extent expressly authorized
by this Agreement or otherwise agreed to by the Parties in writing, the Parties
agree that, during the Term and for five (5) years thereafter, the receiving
party shall keep strictly confidential and shall not publish or otherwise
disclose or use in any way or for any purpose other than as provided for in this
Agreement any information marked as confidential by the providing Party
("Confidential Information") furnished to it by the other Party pursuant to this
Agreement, except

                                       14
<PAGE>   19

to the extent that the receiving party can establish by competent evidence that
such Confidential Information:

                (a) is already lawfully known to the recipient at the time of
                disclosure as documented by recipient; or

                (b) is or becomes generally available to the public other than
                through any act or omission of the recipient in breach of this
                Agreement; or

                (c) is acquired by the recipient from a third party having, to
                recipient's best knowledge, the lawful right to disclose same;
                or

                (d) is required by law to be disclosed; or

                (e) is required to be disclosed in order to exercise rights
                granted or retained pursuant to this Agreement, provided that
                any such disclosure will be subject to use and disclosure
                restrictions similar to those provided herein.

Each Party shall use the same efforts to keep secret and prevent the disclosure
of such Confidential Information to parties, other than its agents, officers,
employees and representatives authorized to receive such Confidential
Information and who are bound by use and disclosure restrictions similar to
those provided herein, as it would use with respect to is own confidential and
proprietary information. Confidential Information shall remain the sole and
absolute property of the disclosing party, subject to the rights granted herein.

        11.2 RETENTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. In the event this Agreement
is terminated for any reason by either Party, or expires, as provided herein,
each Party agrees to return to the other, and thereafter refrain from using, all
Confidential Information given to it by the other Party, provided that each
party may retain one copy of such information in its law department files solely
for evidentiary purposes. All provisions of this Section shall survive the
expiration or termination of this Agreement.

        11.3 PRIOR NOTICE. If a receiving party is required by law or rules or
regulations of any governmental agency or authority or any stock exchange to
disclose Confidential Information of the disclosing party, the receiving party
shall, prior to making any such disclosure, give the disclosing party sufficient
advance written notice to permit the disclosing party to seek a protective order
or other similar protection with respect to such Confidential Information, and
thereafter shall disclose only the minimum information which, in the opinion of
its counsel, is required to be disclosed in order to comply with the legal
requirements imposed on such party, whether or not a protective order or other
similar protection is obtained, and to the extent possible, only under
conditions of confidentiality.

                                  ARTICLE XII.
                            TRADEDRESS AND PACKAGING

        12.1 TRADEMARK. Only ORTHO's Trademark and logo will appear on any
Product and packaging. Both ORTHO's and WFHC's Trademarks and logos will appear
on all jointly used printed promotional materials. Neither Party shall acquire
any rights in the other Party's

                                       15
<PAGE>   20

name or logo on account of the use thereof pursuant to this Agreement. Neither
Party shall use the other Party's trademark or logo on any promotional,
educational and/or training materials without the consent of the other Party.

                                  ARTICLE XIII.
                                TERM-TERMINATION

        13.1 INITIAL TERM. This Agreement shall remain in effect until December
31, 2000, at which time it shall terminate, unless earlier terminated by either
Party in accordance with Sections 13.2 or Section 13.3.

        13.2 OPTION TO TERMINATE.

                (a) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, ORTHO
                shall have the right, at its sole option, to terminate this
                Agreement as follows:

                        (i) upon not less than thirty (30) days' advance written
                        notice to WFHC in the event there is a change of control
                        of WFHC (a "change of control" shall be deemed to have
                        occurred if any third party that is not an Affiliate of
                        WFHC (A) acquires a majority of the shares of WFHC or a
                        right to control the voting of a majority of WFHC
                        shares, or (B) acquires sufficient shares or the right
                        to control the votes of sufficient shares to enable such
                        third party to designate or elect a majority of WFHC's
                        Board of Directors); or

                        (ii) immediately if ORTHO loses applicable regulatory or
                        marketing approval for ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the
                        Territory ; or

                        (iii) upon 30 days advance written notice if Mr. Edward
                        Calesa is no longer associated with WFHC (other than as
                        a result of death or disability).

                (b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, WFHC
                shall have the right, at its sole option, to terminate this
                Agreement if ORTHO loses applicable regulatory or marketing
                approval for ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in the Territory.

        13.3 TERMINATION FOR EVENT OF DEFAULT. Notwithstanding Section 13.1,
either Party may, in addition to exercising any other available legal or
equitable rights or remedies, terminate this Agreement, effective immediately
upon the expiration of any applicable cure period, upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default (as defined below) with respect to the other Party. The term
"Event of Default" with respect to a Party means the occurrence of any of the
following events:

                (a) Except as provided in Section 13.3(b) below, the failure of
                a Party to comply with or perform any material non-monetary
                provision of this Agreement, and such failure remains uncured
                for sixty (60) days following written notice of such failure (if
                such default is cured within the cure period, such written
                notice

                                       16
<PAGE>   21

                shall be null and void), provided that, if the defaulting party
                can establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the other party
                that it is diligently and actively pursuing a cure at the
                expiration of the cure period, and that the default is
                reasonably capable of being cured, then the cure period shall be
                extended for so long as a cure is being diligently and actively
                pursued, not to exceed 120 days in the aggregate.

                (b) The failure of a Party to comply with or perform any
                material monetary provision of this Agreement, and such failure
                remains uncured for thirty (30) days following written notice of
                such failure (if such default is cured within such period, such
                written notice shall be null and void).

                (c) A Party (i) admits in writing its inability to pay its debts
                as they mature, (ii) is the subject of a voluntary or
                involuntary petition in bankruptcy or of any other proceeding
                under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws which, if
                involuntary, is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of the date
                filed, (iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors,
                (iv) is named in, or its property is subject to, a suit for the
                appointment of a receiver which is not dismissed within sixty
                (60) days of the date filed, or (v) is dissolved or liquidated.

        13.4 EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

                (a) Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, neither
                WFHC nor its Affiliates shall thereafter have any further rights
                to market, Detail, promote or sell ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), except as
                otherwise specifically provided herein.

                (b) Termination or expiration of this Agreement shall not
                operate to release any Party from any obligation or liability
                incurred under the terms of this Agreement prior to or upon
                termination or expiration of this Agreement, including the
                payment of any amounts due but unpaid by one Party to the other,
                or from any obligations provided for in this Agreement which
                survive termination of this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE XIV.
                          INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

        14.1 RIGHTS. WFHC acknowledges that ORTHO and/or its Affiliates owns and
retains all proprietary and property interests and rights in (a) all Trademarks,
patents, copyrights or other property rights regarding ORTHO-PREFEST(TM),
including, but not limited to, all regulatory filings and approvals relating to
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM), and (b) all supporting sales and promotional material. WFHC
also acknowledges that no right or license is granted to WFHC hereunder with
respect to (a) and (b) above, except for the right to use such materials in the
Detailing and promotion of ORTHO-PREFEST(TM) in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement.

        14.2 INFRINGEMENT. WFHC shall advise ORTHO promptly upon its becoming
aware of any infringement by a third party of any patent or Trademark related to
ORTHO-PREFEST(TM). ORTHO may take such commercially reasonable action as may be
required to restrain or otherwise prevent such infringement. WFHC shall
reasonably cooperate with and as requested

                                       17
<PAGE>   22

by ORTHO, at ORTHO's sole cost and expense, in ORTHO's attempt to restrain such
infringement.

                                   ARTICLE XV.
                               DISPUTE RESOLUTION

        15.1 INITIAL RESOLUTION. In the case of any disputes between the Parties
arising from this Agreement, and in case this Agreement does not provide a
solution for how to resolve such disputes, the Parties shall discuss and
negotiate in good faith a solution acceptable to both Parties and in the spirit
of this Agreement. If after negotiating in good faith pursuant to the foregoing
sentence, the Parties fail to reach agreement, then the President of ORTHO and
the President of WFHC shall discuss in good faith an appropriate resolution to
the dispute. If these executives fail, after good faith discussions, to reach an
amicable agreement, then either Party may pursue any remedies available to such
Party at law or in equity.

                                  ARTICLE XVI.
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        16.1 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The cooperation between the Parties as set
forth in this Agreement will not constitute, nor be construed as constituting, a
partnership or a relationship of agent and principal. Neither Party shall, under
any circumstance, act as, or represent itself to be, a partner, agent or a
representative of the other. Neither Party shall have any responsibility for the
firing, compensation, or employee benefits of the other Party's employees. No
employee or representative of either Party shall have any authority to bind or
obligate the other Party to this Agreement for any sum or in any manner
whatsoever, or to create or impose a contractual or other liability on the other
Party without said Party's prior authorized written approval. For all purposes,
and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the
legal relationship of the Parties under this Agreement shall be that of
independent contractors.

        16.2 NOTICE. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be sufficiently given when personally delivered,
telecommunicated (with confirmation), delivered by overnight courier or mailed
prepaid first class registered or certified mail and addressed to the Party for
whom it is intended at its record address, and such notice shall be effective
upon receipt, if delivered personally, telecommunicated, or by overnight
courier, or shall be effective five (5) days after it is deposited in the mail,
if mailed. The record addresses and facsimile number of the Parties are set
forth below:

                  If to WFHC:               Women First HealthCare, Inc.
                                            12220 El Camino Real
                                            Suite 400
                                            San Diego, CA. 92130
                                            Attn:  President
                                            Facsimile No.:  (858) 509-3888
                                            Phone No.:  (858) 509-1171

                                       18
<PAGE>   23
                  If to ORTHO:              Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.
                                            U.S. Route #202 South
                                            Raritan, NJ  08869-0602
                                            Attn:  President
                                            Facsimile No.:  (908) 707-9757

                  with a copy:              Johnson & Johnson
                                            One Johnson & Johnson Plaza
                                            New Brunswick, NJ  08933
                                            Attn:  Office of General Counsel
                                            Facsimile No.:  (732) 524-2788

Any Party, at any time, may change its previous record address or facsimile
number by giving written notice of the change to the other Party as herein
provided.

        16.3 FORCE MAJEURE. Neither Party shall lose any rights hereunder or be
liable to the other Party for damages or losses on account of failure of
performance by the defaulting Party if the failure is occasioned by government
action, war, fire, explosion, flood, strike, lockout, embargo, act of God, or
any other similar cause beyond the control of the defaulting Party; provided,
however, that the Party claiming force majeure has exerted all reasonable
efforts to avoid such force majeure and has given prompt notice to the other
Party of any such force majeure. The Party giving such notice shall be excused
from such of its obligations hereunder as it is disabled from performing for so
long as it is so disabled; provided, however, that Party commences and continues
to take reasonable and diligent actions to cure or remedy such force majeure. In
the event of any such force majeure event, the Parties shall meet promptly to
determine an equitable solution to the effects of any such event. Force majeure
shall not include a Party's failure to perform any obligation under this
Agreement as a result of any Year 2000 Problem or any failure to meet its Detail
commitment. The Term shall not be extended by any force majeure event.

        16.4 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall not be assigned by either Party
without the written consent of the other Party, except that this Agreement may
be assigned in whole or in part to any Affiliate of a Party, provided that (i)
the assigning Party remains obligated for its Affiliate's performance of this
Agreement, and (ii) the assigning Party provides prior written notice to the
other Party of the anticipated assignment. Either Party may assign this
Agreement to any party succeeding (by sale, merger, reverse merger or otherwise)
to substantially all of the business and operations of such Party subject to the
other Party's right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article 13.

        16.5 MODIFICATION. No modification or amendment hereof shall be valid or
binding upon the Parties hereto unless made in writing and duly executed on
behalf of both of the Parties.

        16.6 WAIVERS. Failure of a Party to insist upon the strict performance
of any provision hereof or to exercise any right or remedy shall not be deemed a
waiver of any right or remedy with respect to any existing or subsequent breach
or default.

                                       19
<PAGE>   24

        16.7 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and the legal
relations between the Parties hereto determined in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York without regard to what laws might otherwise govern under
applicable principles of conflict or choice of law.

        16.8 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. Neither Party shall originate any publicity,
news release or public announcements, written or oral, whether to the public or
press, stockholders or otherwise, relating to this Agreement, including its
existence, the subject matter to which it relates, performance under it or any
of its terms, to any amendment hereto or performances hereunder without the
prior written consent of the other Party, save only such announcements that are
required by law to be made or that are otherwise agreed by the Parties. Such
announcements shall be brief and factual. If a Party decides to make an
announcement required by law, it will give the other Party at least ten (10)
business days advance notice, where possible, of the text of the announcement so
that the other Party will have an opportunity to comment upon the announcement.
To the extent that the receiving Party reasonably requests that any information
in the materials proposed to be disclosed or deleted, the disclosing Party shall
request confidential treatment of such information pursuant to Rule 406 of the
Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as
amended, as applicable (or any other applicable regulation relating to the
confidential treatment of information) so that there be omitted from the
materials that are publicly filed any information that the receiving Party
reasonably requests to be deleted, unless in the opinion of the disclosing
Party's legal counsel such Confidential Information is legally required to be
fully disclosed. A Press Release approved by the Parties with respect to the
signing of this Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit D.

        16.9 PERFORMANCE BY AFFILIATES. Any Party hereto may satisfy any of its
obligation hereunder through any of its Affiliates; provided, however, that each
Party guarantees the performance at all times of any of such Party's obligations
so delegated pursuant to this Section.

        16.10 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the Parties relating to the subject matter covered herein and supersedes
all prior oral or written agreements. No covenants, promises, agreements,
warranties, representations, conditions or understandings, either oral or
written, exist between the Parties other than as set forth herein.

        16.11 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Except with respect to the Parties'
respective indemnification obligations for third party claims pursuant to
Sections 10.1 and 10.2, the Parties expressly agree that, with respect to any
claim by either ORTHO or WFHC against the other arising out of any breach of
this Agreement, the liability of the breaching Party to the non-breaching party
for such breach shall be limited under this Agreement or otherwise at law or
equity to direct money damages only, and in no event shall a Party be liable to
the other for indirect, incidental, punitive, exemplary or consequential
damages, even if advised of the possibility of the same.

        16.12 BINDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall
inure to the benefit of, the respective successors and permitted assigns of the
Parties hereto.

        16.13 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
invalid or unenforceable, such invalid or unenforceable provision shall not
affect the validity of the

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remaining provisions. If any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement are in
conflict with any applicable statute or rule of law, then such terms or
provisions shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that they may conflict
therewith and shall be deemed to be modified to conform with such statute or
rule of law unless such modification would render such provision inconsistent
with the intent of the Parties.

        16.14 CAPTIONS. All captions herein are for convenience only and shall
not be interpreted as having any substantive meaning.

        16.15 SURVIVAL. The provisions of Sections 6.1, 6.2 (with respect to
unpaid amounts), 6.5 and Articles 10, 11 and 15 and the definitions of Article 1
of this Agreement shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement
for a period of five (5) years after such termination or expiration. The
provisions of this Agreement that do not survive termination or expiration
hereof (as the case may be) shall, nonetheless, be controlling on, and shall be
used in construing and interpreting, the rights and obligations of the Parties
hereto with regard to any dispute, controversy or claim that may arise in
connection with this Agreement.

        16.16 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any
number of counterparts, and may be executed by facsimile. All counterparts shall
collectively constitute one and the same agreement.

        16.17 REMEDIES NOT EXCLUSIVE. Except as specifically provided herein,
the remedies under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not alternative, and
the election of one remedy for a breach shall not preclude pursuit of other
remedies.

                         (NO FURTHER TEXT ON THIS PAGE)

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             IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective duly authorized officers or representatives as of
the Effective Date.

ORTHO-MCNEIL

PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.                   WOMEN FIRST HEALTHCARE, INC.

By:                                    By:

President                              President:  Edward F. Calesa

Date:                                  Date:

                                       22

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