VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Aug 6, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) --AmeriSource Health
Corporation (NYSE:AAS), one of the nation's leading pharmaceutical distributors,
announces the national launch of its Autonomics Central Processing Program.
The national introduction follows a period of development and testing work on
the new program conducted in conjunction with northeast Ohio drug store chain,
Medic Drug, Inc.
"This is the first time a pharmacy has been able to put the concept of central
processing into practice," explains Ron Clerico, RPh, AmeriSource Vice President
and General Manager of Autonomics. "The technology is proven, and AmeriSource
has received initial approval from the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy to operate
as a centrally located pharmacy for customers looking to take advantage of the
efficiencies Autonomics offers."
Mike Bukach, director of pharmacy for Cleveland, Ohio-based Medic Drug, helped
AmeriSource test the Autonomics program at one of the chain's stores. He said he
was intrigued by the greater potential for savings with a central processing
program like Autonomics versus a central fill process.
"Autonomics makes the pharmacist's job easier," Bukach explains. "The ability to
have many of the time-consuming aspects of filling a prescription handled
outside of the retail setting takes a tremendous amount of stress and strain
away from the pharmacist who should be concentrating on patients, not
paperwork."
More Time for Patients
A January 2000 National Association of Chain Drug Stores study revealed that
central processing programs such as AmeriSource's Autonomics program are poised
to take over about 35 percent of pharmacists' routine tasks, including third
party activities, inventory management and drug utilization review.
The Autonomics program automates these time-consuming prescription fulfillment
activities to help pharmacies lower costs and allow pharmacists more time to
counsel patients. Autonomics also allows the pharmacist to tackle higher script
volumes without increasing personal fatigue and stress.
Unlike central fill operations, all patients benefit from central processing
since any prescription -- new, refill or a controlled substance -- is handled by
Autonomics. Autonomics acts as a precursor to central fulfillment, in-store
automation and/or unit of use packaging to further streamline the entire
prescription process.
To bring its Autonomics program to customers, AmeriSource has partnered with
TechRx, a leading provider of pharmacy software solutions. TechRx's T-Rex(TM)
Central Processing software provides the "engine" for the Autonomics program.
With Autonomics, prescriptions are electronically transferred from the retail
drug store to AmeriSource's central processing center in Columbus, Ohio, where
routine fulfillment activities such as insurance adjudication, drug utilization
review and physician contact for clarifications or exceptions are quickly
completed.
The processed prescription is then electronically returned to the pharmacy for
immediate dispensing. As the pharmacy's inventory is depleted, central
processing automatically generates an order enabling the AmeriSource
distribution center to replace the medications the next day.
"Autonomics results in significant improvements in the retail pharmacy's
operations," Clerico says. "Costs are lowered through inventory control, reduced
cost per prescription, reduced errors and a marked increase in pharmacist
productivity and morale. But the real benefit is in consumer service
improvements. Pharmacists have more time to focus on patient care and
counseling, while patients experience no delay in prescription delivery. Greater
consumer focus by the pharmacist allows the pharmacy to establish that critical
link with the patient that builds future business."
Medic's Bukach agrees, saying "Autonomics gives the pharmacist back his
professionalism. Now, patients will see the pharmacist talking to them more and
counseling them, instead of talking on the phone to insurance companies."
Bukach adds that Medic Drug plans to roll-out the Autonomics program to other
locations in its privately owned, 29-store chain.
Free Trial Offer
AmeriSource is offering customers a free trial offer for the Autonomics program.
For information on the offer or how Autonomics can benefit a pharmacy, contact
Autonomics at 614/473-4001 or email to rclerico@amerisource.com.
About AmeriSource
AmeriSource Health Corporation, with approximately $14 billion in annualized
operating revenue, is a leading distributor of pharmaceutical and related
healthcare products and services, and the industry's largest provider of
pharmaceuticals to the acute care/health systems market.
Headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, the Company serves its base of about 15,000
customer accounts through a national network of more than 22 strategically
located distribution facilities. For news and additional information about the
company, visit its web site at www.amerisource.com
Forward-Looking Statements
The foregoing communication contains certain "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on management's
current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in
circumstances.
Actual results may vary materially from the expectations contained in the
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein include
statements addressing future financial and operating results of AmeriSource and
Bergen Brunswig and the timing, benefits and other aspects of the proposed
merger.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: inability to
obtain, or meet conditions imposed for, governmental approvals for the
transaction; failure of the stockholders of AmeriSource and Bergen Brunswig to
approve the merger; the risk that the businesses of AmeriSource and Bergen
Brunswig will not be integrated successfully; failure to obtain and retain
expected synergies; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory
factors affecting the businesses of AmeriSource and Bergen Brunswig generally.
More detailed information about these factors is set forth in AmeriSource's and
Bergen Brunswig's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
each of their Annual Reports on Form 10-K for fiscal 2000 and their most recent
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
AmeriSource and Bergen Brunswig are under no obligation to (and expressly
disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter their forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Additional Information
In connection with their proposed merger, AmeriSource and Bergen Brunswig filed
a joint proxy statement/prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investors and security holders are advised to read the joint proxy
statement/prospectus because it contains important information.
Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy
statement/prospectus and other documents filed by AmeriSource and Bergen
Brunswig at the Securities and Exchange Commission's web site at www.sec.gov.
The joint proxy statement/prospectus and such other documents may also be
obtained for free from AmeriSource or from Bergen Brunswig by directing such
request to AmeriSource Health Corporation, General Counsel, 1300 Morris Drive,
Suite 100, Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania 19087-5594, Telephone: 610/727-7000; or to
Bergen Brunswig Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 4000 Metropolitan
Drive, Orange, California 92868-3510, Telephone: 714/385-4000.
Participants in Solicitation
AmeriSource and Bergen Brunswig and their respective directors, executive
officers and other members of their management and employees may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from their respective stockholders
in connection with the proposed merger. Information concerning AmeriSource's
participants in the solicitation is set forth in AmeriSource's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2001,
and information concerning Bergen Brunswig's participants in the solicitation is
set forth in Bergen Brunswig's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2001.
CONTACT:
AmeriSource Corporation, Valley Forge
Michael N. Kilpatric, 610/727-7118
mkilpatric@amerisource.com
or
Kapnek Communications
Linda Barlow, 215/830-9890
lbarlow@voicenet.com