Important Notice to All Bjork-Shiley Convexo-Concave Heart Valve Implantees

Important Notice to All Bjork-Shiley Convexo-Concave Heart Valve Implantees

August 07, 2006

    CINCINNATI, Aug. 7 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Because of a
risk of strut fracture that could result in death or
serious injury, all Bjork-Shiley Convexo-Concave Heart
Valves (BSCC) were removed from the market by the
manufacturer. Approximately 86,000 of these heart valves
were implanted in patients worldwide. Under a class action
settlement agreement in the Bowling, et al. v. Pfizer Inc.,
et al. heart valve litigation, financial benefits are still
available to certain patients implanted with the BSCC heart
valve.

    A Supervisory Panel of experts funded by the Bowling
Settlement has determined that risk of fracture depends on
the patient's age, gender, valve size, valve implant
position, and certain valve manufacturing characteristics.
It is important for people with BSCC heart valves to
contact a cardiologist to discuss whether they are at an
increased risk of fracture or possibly a candidate for a
valve replacement. 

    If you have a Bjork-Shiley Convexo-Concave Heart Valve,
you are urged to register your name and address with the
court-appointed Bowling Settlement Claims Administrator.

    Only if you register will the Claims Administrator be
able to contact you with information about your class
action settlement benefits. There is no cost or obligation
incurred by registering.

    To register, contact:

     Wayne Smith, Bowling Claims Administrator
     525 Vine Street, Suite 2300
     Cincinnati, Ohio  45202  U.S.A.

     Telephone: [phone] (English only)
     Toll Free: [phone] (U.S. or Canada - English
only)
     Fax:       [phone]
     E-mail:    [e-mail] 
     Web:       http://www.bowling-pfizer.com 

    For more information, please contact:

     Wayne Smith 
     Bowling Claims Administration Company  
     Tel: [phone] or [phone]
     Web:  http://www.bowling-pfizer.com 

SOURCE  Bowling Claims Administration Company