SEC Company Response from ProPhase Labs, Inc. (PRPH) (CIK 0000868278) (PRPH) — Aug 29, 2005
ProPhase Labs, Inc. (PRPH) (CIK 0000868278)
Date: Aug. 29, 2005 · CIK: 0000868278 · Accession: 0000921895-05-001464
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
File numbers found in text: 000-21617
Referenced dates: August 4, 2005
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THE QUIGLEY CORPORATION
KELLS BUILDING
621 SHADY RETREAT ROAD
DOYLESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 18901
TEL. 215-345-0919
FAX 215-345-5920
August 29, 2005
Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549-601
Attention: Jim B. Rosenberg
Re: The Quigley Corporation ("TQC")
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
File No. 000-21617
-----------------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We acknowledge receipt of the letter of comment dated August 4, 2005 from the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission Letter"). We have reviewed
the letter with our auditors and the following reflect our responses to the
Commission Letter. The section and page number references below refer to our
annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2005. The responses are
numbered to coincide with the numbering of the comments in the Commission
Letter.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES, PAGE 18
1. WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR REVENUE RECOGNITION POLICY AS NOTED HEREIN AND WITHIN
YOUR "SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES" IN THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES
TO YOUR CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. WE BELIEVE THAT YOUR DISCLOSURE
RELATED TO ESTIMATES OF ITEMS THAT REDUCE YOUR GROSS REVENUE, SUCH AS SALES
RETURNS AND ALLOWANCES, COULD BE DEFINED AND IMPROVED. PLEASE PROVIDE US
WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN A DISCLOSURE-TYPE FORMAT:
a.) THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF EACH ACCRUAL AT THE BALANCE SHEET DATES AND THE
EFFECT THAT COULD RESULT FROM USING OTHER REASONABLY LIKELY ASSUMPTION
THAN THOSE UPON WHICH YOU CURRENTLY RELY. FOR EXAMPLE, PLEASE PROVIDE
A RANGE OF REASONABLY LIKELY AMOUNTS OR ANOTHER TYPE OF SENSITIVITY
ANALYSIS.
TQC RESPONSE
Sales returns and allowances, cash discounts and reductions for cooperative
advertising are the types of accruals provided for in the period that the
related sales are recorded. Provisions for these reserves are based on
historical experience and the monitoring of current occurrences and developments
that could affect the expected sales returns or other adjustments within the
industry that the products are sold. Specific events, such as the
discontinuation of a product, would be added to the normal provisions for any
fiscal periods presented.
Using the only other reasonable assumption for a sensitivity analysis, such as
the use of average industry standards for such adjustments, instead of the
foregoing method to estimate sales returns and allowances and cash discounts
(there is no variation for cash discounts in the sensitivity analysis), but
excluding reductions for cooperative advertising, related to the sales would
increase net sales by approximately $432,000, $241,000 and $572,000 for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and,
accordingly, reduce related balance sheet accruals at December 31, 2004 and
2003, respectively. A 1% increase or decrease variation for cooperative
advertising in cold remedy products would thereby change net sales approximately
$279,000, $241,000 and $175,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004,
2003 and 2002, respectively, and, accordingly, change related balance sheet
accruals at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
The Cold Remedy Segment includes a provision to reduce accounts receivable for
sales returns and allowances and cash discounts or is included in current
liabilities for cooperative advertising at December 31, 2004 and 2003. These
provisions were for sales returns and allowances, including the specific
provision of $626,000 related to the discontinuation of the Cold-Eeze(R) Cold
Remedy Nasal Spray product in 2004, of $1,048,000 and $343,000, respectively;
cash discounts of $92,000 and $115,000, respectively; and cooperative
advertising of $743,000 and $1,295,000, respectively.
The Health and Wellness Segment includes a provision to reduce accounts
receivable at December 31, 2004 and 2003 for returns and adjustments of $61,000
and $61,000, respectively.
b.) THE FACTORS THAT YOU CONSIDER IN ESTIMATING EACH ACCRUAL, SUCH AS
HISTORICAL PRODUCT RETURNS, LEVELS OF INVENTORY IN YOUR DISTRIBUTION
CHANNELS; ESTIMATED REMAINING PRODUCT SHELF LIVES; PRICE CHANGES FROM
COMPETITORS AND INTRODUCTIONS OF NEW PRODUCTS.
TQC RESPONSE
The cold remedy product, Cold-Eeze, which is offered in a lozenge, gum and
tablet form, has been clinically proven in two double-blind studies to reduce
the severity and duration of common cold symptoms. Accordingly, Cold-Eeze offers
a significant advantage over many of its competitors in the over-the-counter
cold-remedy market. Therefore, additional factors considered in estimating each
accrual for this product are as stated in TQC RESPONSE to 1. (a) AND (c) and
since Cold-Eeze is a "one-of-a-kind" unique item with very limited
inconsequential competitors whereby competitive price reductions, promotions,
new items and remaining shelf life, as the product has no expiration date, are
not factors that TQC needs to consider when estimating sales allowance
provisions. However, TQC does consider inventory levels at major customers and
third-party consumption data, such as Information Resources, Inc. ("IRI") and/or
Nielsen when estimating sales allowance provisions.
The health and wellness product line factors considered in estimating each
accrual for this product are as stated in TQC RESPONSE to 1. (a) AND (c) and the
particular methodology of marketing, which is direct selling of proprietary
products through independent representatives, adds to the unique nature of such
products. Currently, pursuant to this methodology, returns are generally
permitted within sixty days of the sale, and other requirements of the
agreements with the independent representatives, which leads to provisions that
represent actual returns and adjustments that are not subject to variations that
could arise with a greater time for sales returns or that are common to other
products or industries.
c.) TO THE EXTENT THAT THE INFORMATION YOU CONSIDER IN B. IS QUANTIFIABLE,
DISCUSS BOTH QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE FACTORS AND THE EXTENT OF
AVAILABILITY AND YOUR USE OF INFORMATION FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES; FOR
EXAMPLE, END-CUSTOMER DEMAND DATA COMPARED TO INVENTORY LEVELS. IN
DISCUSSING YOUR ESTIMATE OF PRODUCT RETURNS, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION, PREFERABLY BY PRODUCT AND IN TABULAR FORMAT, REGARDING
2
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PRODUCT IN SALES DOLLARS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE
RETURNED AS THE MOST RECENT BALANCE SHEET DATE, DISAGGREGATED BY
EXPIRATION PERIOD.
TQC RESPONSE
The qualitative and quantitative factors considered for any product returns and
adjustments are indicated in TQC RESPONSE to 1.a) AND b).
A tabular format delineation by specific product for the Cold Remedy Segment is
not provided since Cold-Eeze, which is sold in a lozenge, gum and tablet form is
only one product and represents in excess of 99% of products categorized in this
segment. A tabular format delineation by specific product for the Health and
Wellness Segment is not provided due to the nature of the proprietary products,
the limited time for returns and requirements as stated in the agreements with
the independent representative of the Health and Wellness Segment along with the
inability to delineate the various product returns and or adjustments as returns
or adjustments are not quantified or recorded by specific product category.
d.) IF APPLICABLE, DISCUSS ANY SHIPMENTS MADE AS A RESULT OF INCENTIVES
AND/OR IN EXCESS OF YOUR CUSTOMERS' INVENTORY LEVELS IN THE ORDINARY
COURSE OF BUSINESS. PLEASE ALSO DISCUSS YOUR REVENUE RECOGNITION
POLICY FOR SUCH SHIPMENTS.
TQC RESPONSE
In both the Cold Remedy and Health and Wellness Segments, shipments are not made
as a result of incentives in the ordinary course of business. Occasionally, a
new customer in the Cold Remedy Segment will be given an extended term of
payment to 60 days from 31 days for only the initial stocking order.
Additionally, as the Cold Remedy Segment is seasonal with the majority of
revenues occurring in the fourth quarter, customers will start to build
inventories, based on their prior experiences, modified by published data on the
timing and quantities of expected incidence of colds by specific locations,
which is also reviewed as part of the normal procedures in order fulfillment by
the Company. As the foregoing is not consequential or material, it is not
specifically considered for sales returns and allowances provisions.
e.) A ROLL-FORWARD OF THE LIABILITY FOR EACH ESTIMATE FOR THE PERIODS
PRESENTED, SHOWING THE FOLLOWING:
o BEGINNING BALANCE;
o CURRENT PROVISION RELATED TO SALES MADE IN CURRENT PERIOD;
o CURRENT PROVISION RELATED TO SALES MADE IN PRIOR PERIODS;
o ACTUAL RETURNS OR CREDITS IN CURRENT PERIOD RELATED TO SALES
MADE IN CURRENT PERIOD;
o ACTUAL RETURNS OR CREDITS IN CURRENT PERIOD RELATED TO SALES
MADE IN PRIOR PERIODS; AND
o ENDING BALANCE.
TQC RESPONSE
ACCOUNT - SALES RETURNS & ALLOWANCES 2004 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------
Beginning balance $403,850 $426,557
Current provision related to sales made in current period* 1,414,796 937,738
Current provision related to discontinuation of Cold-Eeze nasal spray 625,756
Current provision related to sales made in prior periods*
Actual returns-credits in current period related to sales made in current period* (1,335,231) (960,445)
Actual returns-credits in current period related to sales made in prior period*
---------- --------
Ending balance $1,109,171 $403,850
========== ========
* AMOUNTS FOR EACH LINE CATEGORY ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY AVAILABLE
3
ACCOUNT - CASH DISCOUNTS 2004 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------
Beginning balance $114,580 $96,961
Current provision related to sales made in current period* 541,290 471,781
Current provision related to sales made in prior periods*
Actual returns-credits in current period related to sales made in current period* (563,413) (454,162)
Actual returns-credits in current period related to sales made in prior period*
---------- --------
Ending balance $92,457 $114,580
========== ========
* AMOUNTS FOR EACH LINE CATEGORY ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY AVAILABLE
ACCOUNT - COOPERATIVE ADVERTISING 2004 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------
Beginning balance $1,294,927 $754,813
Current provision related to sales made in current period* 2,203,179 2,642,128
Current provision related to sales made in prior periods*
Actual returns-credits in current period related to sales made in current period* (2,754,724) (2,102,014)
Actual returns-credits in current period related to sales made in prior period*
---------- --------
Ending balance $743,382 $1,294,927
========== ========
* AMOUNTS FOR EACH LINE CATEGORY ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY AVAILABLE
f.) FINALLY, INCLUDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF AND REASON FOR
FLUCTUATIONS WITH RESPECT TO EACH ITEM/ESTIMATE THAT REDUCED GROSS
REVENUE. PLEASE ADDRESS THE EFFECT THAT CHANGES IN YOUR ESTIMATES WITH
RESPECT TO EACH ITEM HAD ON YOUR REVENUES AND OPERATIONS FOR THE
APPLICABLE PERIODS.
TQC RESPONSE
There have been no significant fluctuations to estimates when comparing such
items as a relative percentage of that years sales with respect to each item
that reduced gross revenues in the past except for the results for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2004, which include a returns provision of approximately
$626,000 in the event of future product returns following the discontinuation of
the Cold-Eeze(R) Cold Remedy Nasal Spray product in September 2004.
2. WE NOTE THAT YOUR ACCOUNTING POLICY WITH RESPECT TO COMMISSION EXPENSE PAID
TO DISTRIBUTORS/BROKERS OF YOUR PRODUCTS VARIES DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF
THE UNDERLYING AGREEMENT; THAT IS, YOU CLASSIFY CERTAIN COMMISSIONS PAID AS
A COST OF SALES VERSUS ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE US, IN A
DISCLOSURE-TYPE FORMAT, MORE ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE UNDERLYING AGREEMENT
THAT DETERMINES YOUR COMMISSION CLASSIFICATION. IN ADDITION, PLEASE TELL US
WHY YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR CLASSIFICATIONS ARE APPROPRIATE UNDER U.S. GAAP,
REFERENCING THE AUTHORITATIVE LITERATURE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR TREATMENT.
TQC RESPONSE
4
The following discussion and citations of U.S. GAAP use correlations to relate
meaningful costs that would be comparative to other industries and that are
relative to sales or relative to other operating expenses for the two operating
segments of TQC that use different methodologies for the marketing of its
products. FAS89, paragraph 17 states "The current cost of inventory owned by an
enterprise is the CURRENT COST OF PURCHASING THE GOODS CONCERNED OR THE CURRENT
COST OF THE RESOURCES REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THE GOODS CONCERNED (including an
allowance for the current overhead costs according to the allocation bases used
under generally accepted accounting principles), whichever would be applicable
in the circumstance of the enterprise.
ARB43, paragraph 12-4, statement 3 states "the primary basis of accounting for
inventories is cost, which