AmeriSource Health Welcomes J. Lawrence Wilson to Its Board of Directors

January 19, 2000
     MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2000--

             Appointment Effective Immediately for Former
                     Rohm & Haas Chairman and CEO

     AmeriSource Health Corporation (NYSE:AAS), one of the nation's

leading wholesale pharmaceutical distributors, today announced that J. Lawrence Wilson has joined the Company's Board of Directors. This appointment is effective immediately and Mr. Wilson will serve as a member of the Company's audit committee.

Mr. Wilson brings more than 35 years of financial and operations experience to AmeriSource. He is the former Chairman and CEO of Rohm & Haas, one of the world's largest manufacturers of specialty chemicals. Rohm & Haas, an innovative contributor to science and industry, has more than 20,000 employees and operates approximately 150 research and manufacturing locations in 25 countries. Mr. Wilson was appointed to the position of Chairman and CEO in 1988 and recently retired in September 1999. He had a long and outstanding career within that organization, holding leadership positions including: Vice Chairman, Group Vice President of Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. His career also crossed international boundaries having served as Regional Director for the company's European operations.

R. David Yost, AmeriSource President and CEO said, "Lawrence Wilson has had an outstanding and prestigious leadership career with a vast amount of operations and financial experience. His business expertise will be a valuable asset to our Company and to me personally. We look to his contributions and guidance to help position AmeriSource for the future."

A member of three other corporate boards, including the Vanguard Group of Investment Companies, Mr. Wilson, age 64, began his career in 1958 with a commission in the U. S. Navy. He joined Rohm & Haas in 1965 as an Operations Research Analyst and has held a number of leadership positions.

J. Lawrence Wilson said, "AmeriSource is a finely-tuned operation that has grown to become an industry leader largely due to its commitment to the customer. I believe that AmeriSource's customer-first commitment and highly focused business strategy to be key assets for growing the business in new and existing markets. I am honored to participate in its future growth."

Mr. Wilson received a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Vanderbilt University in 1958 and earned his Masters degree in Business Administration from Harvard in 1963.

AmeriSource (NYSE:AAS) is one of the nation's leading, full-service wholesale distributors of pharmaceutical products and related health care services. Headquartered in Malvern, PA, the Company serves its base of 21,000 customer accounts through a network of 24 strategically located distribution facilities. AmeriSource is the industry's largest provider of pharmaceuticals to the acute care/institutional market, making up 41% of its $9.8 billion of operating revenue in fiscal year 1999. Additional information about AmeriSource is available through its website at www.amerisource.com.

     CONTACT: AmeriSource Health Corp.
              MaryBeth M. Alvin, Director, Investor Relations
              610/993-3411
              malvin@amerisource.com