[Opticians] 1=800-CONTACTS agreement

[Tim Alden]

1-800 Signs Long-term Supply Agreements with CL Suppliers
1-800 CONTACTS announced it recently signed long-term supply agreements 
with its three largest contact lens suppliers, CIBA Vision, CooperVision and
Vistakon. 
(The company has purchased directly from Bausch & Lomb (B&L), its fourth
largest 
supplier, without a written agreement since 2001.) "For the first time in
the company's 
history, we can now purchase directly, as an authorized account, every lens
marketed 
by the four largest manufacturers," said Jonathan Coon, Chief Executive
Officer. 
"We believe these four manufacturers represent approximately 98% of all soft
contact 
lenses sold in the United States."
Mr. Coon also said the company will no longer seek to amend the Fairness to
Contact 
Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA). "In its most recent session, to ensure that
consumers could 
fill their prescriptions from the business of their choice, Congress
considered legislation 
regarding contact lens distribution practices. We supported that
legislation. However, we 
believe the market solution embodied in these recent supply agreements is
adequate to 
ensure a competitive market - making legislation unnecessary at this time,"
he said.
"We expect the large amounts of our selling, general and administrative
expenses that 
have for years been dedicated to legislative and legal initiatives will
decrease," added 
Brian Bethers, President. "However, it will take time to rebuild our
business with customers 
we have not been able to serve for several years."

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