VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Nov 19, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE:ABC) today announced that
the Company has been contacted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in
Sacramento, California, for some additional information regarding a
three-year-old investigation in which a customer illegally resold
merchandise bought from AmerisourceBergen.
The Company discontinued doing business with the customer in
question in February 2000, after concluding this customer had
demonstrated suspicious purchasing behavior. In June 2000, the Company
was contacted by the government about the investigation and has
cooperated fully. Until now, the Company had heard nothing from the
government since 2001. AmerisourceBergen will continue to cooperate
with the government.
AmerisourceBergen continues to believe it has not engaged in any
wrongdoing, and that the investigation will not have a material
financial impact on the Company.
About AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC) is the largest pharmaceutical
services company in the United States dedicated solely to the
pharmaceutical supply chain. It is the leading distributor of
pharmaceutical products and services to the hospital market,
physician's offices, alternate care and mail order facilities, and
independent and chain pharmacies. The Company is also a leader in the
long term care pharmacy marketplace, the workers' compensation
fulfillment business and contract packaging for manufacturers. With
more than $45 billion in annualized operating revenue,
AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs
more than 14,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #24 on the
Fortune 500 list and was ranked #6 in the 2003 Business Week 50, a
list of the 50 best performing companies in the S & P 500. For more
information, go to www.amerisourcebergen.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain 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. Forward-looking statements may include statements
addressing future financial and operating results of AmerisourceBergen
and the benefits and other aspects of the 2001 merger between
AmeriSource Health Corporation and Bergen Brunswig Corporation.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ materially from those described in any forward-looking
statements: competitive pressures; the loss of one or more key
customer relationships; customer insolvencies; changes in customer
mix; changes in pharmaceutical manufacturers' pricing and distribution
policies; regulatory changes; changes in U.S. government policies;
failure to integrate the businesses of AmeriSource and Bergen Brunswig
successfully; failure to obtain and retain expected synergies from the
merger of AmeriSource and Bergen Brunswig; and other economic,
business, competitive, regulatory and/or operational factors affecting
the business of AmerisourceBergen generally.
More detailed information about these factors is set forth in
AmerisourceBergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2002.
AmerisourceBergen is under no obligation to (and expressly
disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter any forward looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
SOURCE: AmerisourceBergen Corporation
AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Valley Forge
Michael N. Kilpatric, 610-727-7118
mkilpatric@amerisourcebergen.com