AmerisourceBergen Reports June Quarterly Results with $0.96 Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations

July 21, 2005

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Jul 21, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE:ABC) today reported results for its fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2005. The following results are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Fiscal Third Quarter Highlights

-- Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.96.

-- Record operating revenue of $12.6 billion, up 4 percent.

-- Cash flow from operations of $58 million.

-- Record low interest expense of $11.3 million, down 58 percent.

-- Announced $450 million share repurchase program -- $94 million purchased in the quarter.

Fiscal First Nine Months Highlights

-- Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $2.51, before the cumulative effect of accounting change.

-- Record operating revenue of $37.0 billion, up 1 percent.

-- Cash flow from operations of $1.25 billion.

"AmerisourceBergen delivered solid results in the quarter as we began to overcome a challenging transition year," said R. David Yost, AmerisourceBergen's Chief Executive Officer. "Operating revenue was up 4 percent despite two customer losses that accounted for more than 8 percent of operating revenue in last fiscal year's third quarter. We are making solid progress in converting to a fee-for-service model with our manufacturers and continue to expect to have this model change substantially complete by the end of calendar year 2005. With lower inventories and disciplined working capital management, we continue to generate cash and have the strongest balance sheet in our history. We remain enthusiastic about the future as we gain traction around our margin enhancement activities, continue the rapid growth of our specialty business, complete our new distribution network, capture new generic opportunities, and look to fully participate in the growth generated in 2006 by the Medicare Modernization Act."

Discussion of Results

In the June quarter of fiscal 2005, AmerisourceBergen's operating revenue was a record $12.6 billion compared to $12.1 billion in the same period last year, a 4 percent increase. Bulk deliveries in the quarter increased 28 percent to $1.2 billion. In the fiscal 2004 third quarter, operating revenue and cost of goods sold were reduced by $320 million due to a change in the Company's accounting for customer returns.

Consolidated operating income in the June 2005 quarter declined 33 percent to $168.6 million compared to the prior year's third quarter. A $21.3 million gain from settlements of antitrust cases involving drug manufacturers, less a $3.7 million charge for facility consolidations and employee severance, a $6.6 million charge for a generic manufacturer's bankruptcy, and a $6.9 million charge for product rationalization in the Company's technology business had a net positive impact on consolidated operating income in the fiscal 2005 third quarter. Operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was positively impacted by a $38.0 million gain from an antitrust case and negatively impacted by a charge for facility consolidations and employee severance of $1.6 million.

Interest expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 was a record low $11.3 million compared to $26.8 million in the prior year's third quarter, a 58 percent decrease driven by net debt reduction.

Fiscal 2004 third quarter results also were impacted by a $23.6 million charge for the early retirement of debt and a gain of $4.9 million as a result of a liquidating dividend from one of the Company's technology equity investments.

The Company's tax rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 was 36.4 percent, down from 38.5 percent in the same quarter in fiscal 2004 due to the resolution of certain federal and state income tax issues.

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.96 in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, compared to $1.10 in the previous fiscal year's third quarter. Included in the third quarter fiscal 2005 results is a gain of $0.13 per diluted share due to the antitrust settlements. The third quarter of fiscal 2005 also included losses per diluted share of $0.02 for facility consolidations and employee severance, $0.04 for the generic manufacturer's bankruptcy, and $0.04 for the technology product rationalization. The lower tax rate in the June quarter of fiscal 2005 positively impacted the diluted earnings per share in the quarter by $0.03.

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 were 104.4 million, a reduction from 118.2 million in the same period last year primarily due to the Company's share repurchase programs.

Discontinued operations in the June quarter reflect a $5.1 million loss, net of tax, from the operations and sale of the assets of the Company's Bridge Medical, Inc. bedside point-of-care technology business, which was announced in June and completed in early July.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2005, AmerisourceBergen's operating revenue was a record $37.0 billion compared to $36.7 billion for the same period last year, a 1 percent increase. Bulk deliveries in the nine-month period increased 18 percent to $3.6 billion.

Consolidated operating income in the first nine months of the fiscal year declined 34 percent to $481.9 million primarily due to reduced buy-side profits in the pharmaceutical distribution segment.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2005, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before the cumulative effect of the change in accounting were $2.51, compared to $3.29 in the same nine-month period last year. The impact of this change in accounting, effective at the beginning of fiscal 2005, is a one-time cumulative effect charge of $10.2 million, net of tax, or $0.09 per diluted share, which is reflected in the nine-month results ended June 30, 2005.

"During the quarter we gained traction in a number of our initiatives to improve operating margins and better position us for the opportunities ahead," said Kurt J. Hilzinger, AmerisourceBergen's President and Chief Operating Officer. "Our transition to fee-for-service relationships continues on plan as we sign agreements with manufacturers and expect that a large majority of our manufacturer-contributed margin will not be contingent on manufacturer's price increases by the end of calendar 2005.

"AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group continued its excellent performance in the quarter with annualized operating revenue of more than $6.5 billion. Led by its market-leading oncology business, with strong performances in plasma and nephrology, its specialty distribution businesses had outstanding growth. Its pharmaceutical commercialization businesses also had a solid quarter as they added manufacturer customers.

"In the Drug Corporation, our Optimiz(TM) program, which is designed to lower our operating costs, continued on schedule and on budget. Our new Chicago facility, the fourth of our six new distribution centers, opened during the quarter and is fully operational. We expect to open Kansas City this fall, and will have completed the consolidation of six older and less efficient facilities by the end of the fiscal year as planned. Our generics program was a significant contributor in the quarter and our customer-focused Transform program continues to gain momentum.

"In July we commenced a strategic outsourcing relationship with IBM Global Services, which includes the outsourcing of a significant portion of the Company's corporate and Drug Corporation information technology activities. The relationship provides AmerisourceBergen greater speed and flexibility in the use and development of technology, improved information technology scale and direct access to emerging technologies. We also expect greater cost efficiency, faster product development cycles, and expanded capability for our customers and suppliers."

"In our PharMerica segment, we continue to face a difficult and competitive long-term care environment, especially around market pricing and government reimbursement. At the same time we are actively involved in cost reduction efforts and preparation for the impact of Medicare Part D, which takes effect in January 2006. Our new customer-facing technology continues to win new customers in our long-term care business," said Hilzinger.

Segment Review

AmerisourceBergen operates in two segments: Pharmaceutical Distribution (which includes the operations of AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation and AmerisourceBergen Specialty, Technology and Packaging groups) and PharMerica (which includes the long-term care pharmacy and workers' compensation businesses). Intersegment sales of $215.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 from AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation to PharMerica, which are included in the Pharmaceutical Distribution segment operating revenue, are eliminated for consolidated reporting purposes.

Pharmaceutical Distribution Segment

Record operating revenue of $12.4 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 was up 4 percent compared to the same quarter in the previous fiscal year.

Lower than anticipated buy-side contribution due to the ongoing transition to a new manufacturer compensation model based on fee-for-service reduced gross profit and operating margins compared to this quarter last fiscal year.

Pharmaceutical Distribution customer mix in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 was 58 percent institutional and 42 percent retail.

PharMerica

PharMerica's operating revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 was $393.0 million, up slightly compared to the previous year's third quarter. Operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 was $20.6 million, down 34 percent from $31.4 million for the same quarter last year reflecting strong competitive pricing, government reimbursement pressure in third quarter 2005 and a $4.6 million debt recovery from a customer in the third quarter of 2004. Higher expenses in the June quarter of 2005 were due primarily to adverse health benefit costs. The Company continues to expect revenues in the segment to be flat for the 2005 fiscal year, with operating margins expected to be in the 6 percent to 7 percent range.

Looking Ahead

"For fiscal year 2005, we expect operating revenue growth to be 1 percent to 2 percent, and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before the cumulative effect of an accounting change to be between $3.30 and $3.50 on a GAAP basis, the upper end of our previous range of $3.10 to $3.50," said Yost. "Also we expect the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 to be negatively impacted by between $10 million and $13 million in expenses due to the outsourcing of our information technology activities to IBM, offset by the positive impact of an expected antitrust litigation settlement."

"We continue to estimate that diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2006 will be between $3.60 and $4.40, also on a GAAP basis. The bottom of the range reflects pharmaceutical market growth in the high single digits and the full-year impact of fiscal 2005 capital deployment initiatives. The top of the range depends on our ability to improve our pharmaceutical distribution operating margin, expected to be in the 100 to 110 basis points range in fiscal 2005, by 30 basis points through margin enhancement activities. We are currently in the middle of our extensive annual planning process, and we expect to update our guidance for fiscal year 2006 in early November, when we announce results for fiscal year 2005."

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its results at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on July 21, 2005. Participating in the conference call will be: R. David Yost, Chief Executive Officer; Kurt J. Hilzinger, President and Chief Operating Officer; and Michael D. DiCandilo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

To access the live conference call via telephone:

    Dial in: 612-326-1027, no access code required.

To access the live webcast:

Go to the Quarterly Webcasts section on the Investor Relations page
at http://www.amerisourcebergen.com.

A replay of the telephone call and webcast will be available from
2:30 p.m. July 21, 2005 until 11:59 p.m. July 28, 2005.  The Webcast
replay will be available for 30 days.

To access the replay via telephone:

    Dial in: (800) 475-6701 from within the U.S., access code: 788122
             (320) 365-3844 from outside the U.S., access code: 788122

To access the archived webcast:

Go to the Quarterly Webcasts section on the Investor Relations page
at http://www.amerisourcebergen.com.

About AmerisourceBergen

AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC) is one of the largest pharmaceutical services companies in the United States. Servicing both pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers in the pharmaceutical supply channel, the Company provides drug distribution and related services designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. AmerisourceBergen's service solutions range from pharmacy automation, bedside medication safety systems, and pharmaceutical packaging to pharmacy services for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting services, and physician education. With more than $54 billion in revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs more than 14,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #23 on the Fortune 500 list. 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 AmerisourceBergen's future financial and operating results.

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 or practices; regulatory changes; changes in U.S. government policies (including changes in government policies pertaining to drug reimbursement); changes in market interest rates; operational difficulties arising from AmerisourceBergen's outsourcing of information technology activities; and other economic, business, competitive, legal, regulatory and/or operational factors affecting the business of AmerisourceBergen generally.

More detailed information about these and other risk factors is set forth in AmerisourceBergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2004.

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.

AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION
                          FINANCIAL SUMMARY
                (In thousands, except per share data)
                             (unaudited)

                     Three                  Three
                  Months Ended   % of    Months Ended   % of
                    June 30,   Operating   June 30,   Operating   %
                      2005      Revenue      2004      Revenue  Change
                  ------------ --------- ------------ --------- ------
Revenue:
  Operating
   revenue        $12,603,893    100.00% $12,099,815    100.00%     4%
  Bulk deliveries
   to customer
   warehouses       1,228,073                956,598               28%
                  ------------           ------------
Total revenue      13,831,966             13,056,413                6%

Cost of goods
 sold              13,329,897             12,484,345                7%
                  ------------           ------------

Gross profit          502,069      3.98%     572,068      4.73%   -12%

Operating
 expenses:
  Distribution,
   selling and
   administrative     310,112      2.46%     298,970      2.47%     4%
  Depreciation
   and
   amortization        19,602      0.16%      19,233      0.16%     2%
  Facility
   consolidations
   and employee
   severance            3,747      0.03%       1,550      0.01%   142%
                  ------------           ------------

Operating income      168,608      1.34%     252,315      2.09%   -33%

Other loss
 (income)                 291      0.00%      (4,909)    -0.04%   N/A

Interest expense       11,271      0.09%      26,844      0.22%   -58%
Loss on early
 retirement of
 debt                       -      0.00%      23,592      0.19%   N/A
                  ------------           ------------

Income from
 continuing
 operations
 before taxes         157,046      1.25%     206,788      1.71%   -24%

Income taxes           57,202      0.45%      79,613      0.66%   -28%
                  ------------           ------------

Income from
 continuing
 operations            99,844      0.79%     127,175      1.05%   -21%

Loss from
 discontinued
 operations, net
 of taxes              (5,067)                (1,400)
                  ------------           ------------

Net income            $94,777      0.75%    $125,775      1.04%   -25%
                  ============           ============


Earnings per
 share:
  Basic
    Continuing
     operations         $0.96                  $1.13              -15%
    Discontinued
     operations        ($0.05)                ($0.01)
                  ------------           ------------
      Net income        $0.91                  $1.12              -19%
                  ============           ============

  Diluted
    Continuing
     operations         $0.96                  $1.10              -13%
    Discontinued
     operations         (0.05)                 (0.01)
                  ------------           ------------
      Net income        $0.91                  $1.09              -17%
                  ============           ============

Weighted average
 common shares
 outstanding:
  Basic               103,782                111,956
  Diluted             104,420                118,156


                    AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION
                          FINANCIAL SUMMARY
                (In thousands, except per share data)
                             (unaudited)

                      Nine                   Nine
                  Months Ended   % of    Months Ended   % of
                    June 30,   Operating   June 30,   Operating   %
                      2005      Revenue      2004      Revenue  Change
                  ------------ --------- ------------ --------- ------
Revenue:
  Operating
   revenue        $37,047,741    100.00% $36,681,609    100.00%     1%
  Bulk deliveries
   to customer
   warehouses       3,611,227              3,064,951               18%
                  ------------           ------------
Total revenue      40,658,968             39,746,560                2%

Cost of goods
 sold              39,200,558             38,070,825                3%
                  ------------           ------------

Gross profit        1,458,410      3.94%   1,675,735      4.57%   -13%

Operating
 expenses:
  Distribution,
   selling and
   administrative     900,183      2.43%     890,483      2.43%     1%
  Depreciation
   and
   amortization        60,303      0.16%      53,613      0.15%    12%
  Facility
   consolidations
   and employee
   severance           10,717      0.03%       5,319      0.01%   101%
  Impairment
   charge               5,259      0.01%           -      0.00%   N/A
                  ------------           ------------

Operating income      481,948      1.30%     726,320      1.98%   -34%

Other income           (1,150)     0.00%      (5,985)    -0.02%   N/A

Interest expense       47,868      0.13%      89,222      0.24%   -46%
Loss on early
 retirement of
 debt                   1,015      0.00%      23,592      0.06%   N/A
                  ------------           ------------

Income before
 taxes,
 discontinued
 operations, and
 cumulative
 effect of change
 in accounting        434,215      1.17%     619,491      1.69%   -30%

Income taxes          163,636      0.44%     238,504      0.65%   -31%
                  ------------           ------------

Income from
 continuing
 operations
 before
 cumulative
 effect of change
 in accounting        270,579      0.73%     380,987      1.04%   -29%

Loss from
 discontinued
 operations, net
 of taxes             (15,263)                (4,586)
Cumulative effect
 of change in
 accounting, net
 of taxes             (10,172)                     -
                  ------------           ------------

Net income           $245,144      0.66%    $376,401      1.03%   -35%
                  ============           ============


Earnings per
 share:
  Basic
    Continuing
     operations         $2.55                  $3.41              -25%
    Discontinued
     operations         (0.14)                 (0.04)
    Cumulative
     effect of
     change in
     accounting         (0.10)                     -
                  ------------           ------------
      Net income        $2.31                  $3.37              -31%
                  ============           ============

  Diluted
    Continuing
     operations         $2.51                  $3.29              -24%
    Discontinued
     operations         (0.14)                 (0.04)
    Cumulative
     effect of
     change in
     accounting         (0.09)                     -
                  ------------           ------------
      Net income        $2.28                  $3.25              -30%
                  ============           ============

Weighted average
 common shares
 outstanding:
  Basic               106,316                111,837
  Diluted             108,761                118,044


                     AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (in thousands)
                             (unaudited)

                  ASSETS
                                              June 30,   September 30,
                                                2005          2004
                                            ------------ -------------
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                    $993,731      $871,343
  Accounts receivable, net                    2,455,124     2,260,973
  Merchandise inventories                     4,533,744     5,135,830
  Prepaid expenses and other                     19,316        27,243
                                            ------------ -------------
      Total current assets                    8,001,915     8,295,389

Long-term assets                              3,405,046     3,358,614
                                            ------------ -------------

      Total assets                          $11,406,961   $11,654,003
                                            ============ =============


   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                           $5,467,417    $4,947,037
  Current portion of long-term debt               1,464       281,360
  Other current liabilities                     801,454       875,511
                                            ------------ -------------
      Total current liabilities               6,270,335     6,103,908

Long-term debt, less current portion            856,068     1,157,111

Other liabilities                                96,193        53,939

Stockholders' equity                          4,184,365     4,339,045
                                            ------------ -------------

      Total liabilities and stockholders'
       equity                               $11,406,961   $11,654,003
                                            ============ =============


                    AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (in thousands)
                             (unaudited)

                                                 Nine         Nine
                                             Months Ended Months Ended
                                               June 30,     June 30,
                                                 2005         2004
                                             ------------ ------------

Operating Activities:
  Net income                                    $245,144     $376,401
  Non-cash items                                 137,509      138,817
  Changes in operating assets and
   liabilities                                   867,897      146,154
                                             ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities      1,250,550      661,372
                                             ------------ ------------

Investing Activities:
  Capital expenditures                          (163,592)    (143,931)
  Cost of acquired companies, net of cash
   acquired and other                             (3,460)     (67,960)
  Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions       22,211            -
  Proceeds from sale of discontinued
   operations                                      3,560            -
                                             ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities           (141,281)    (211,891)
                                             ------------ ------------

Financing Activities:
  Long-term debt repayments                     (280,000)    (353,425)
  Exercise of stock options                       91,773       14,578
  Cash dividends on common stock                  (7,992)      (8,416)
  Purchase of common stock                      (786,192)           -
  Deferred financing costs and other              (4,470)         917
                                             ------------ ------------
Net cash used in financing activities           (986,881)    (346,346)
                                             ------------ ------------

Increase in cash and cash equivalents            122,388      103,135

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
 period                                          871,343      800,036
                                             ------------ ------------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period      $993,731     $903,171
                                             ============ ============


                    AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION
                     SUMMARY SEGMENT INFORMATION
                        (dollars in thousands)
                             (unaudited)

                                       Three Months Ended June 30,
                                   -----------------------------------
Operating Revenue                      2005         2004     % Change
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Pharmaceutical Distribution        $12,426,079  $11,921,561         4%
PharMerica                             393,031      390,332         1%
Intersegment eliminations             (215,217)    (212,078)       -1%
                                   ------------ ------------

  Operating revenue                $12,603,893  $12,099,815         4%
                                   ============ ============


                                       Three Months Ended June 30,
                                   -----------------------------------
Operating Income                       2005         2004     % Change
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Pharmaceutical Distribution           $130,486     $184,454       -29%
PharMerica                              20,600       31,406       -34%
Facility consolidations and
 employee severance                     (3,747)      (1,550)     -142%
Gain on litigation settlements          21,269       38,005       -44%
                                   ------------ ------------

  Operating income                    $168,608     $252,315       -33%
                                   ============ ============


Percentages of operating revenue:

Pharmaceutical Distribution
  Gross profit                            2.96%        3.49%
  Operating expenses                      1.91%        1.94%
  Operating income                        1.05%        1.55%

PharMerica
  Gross profit                           28.67%       30.24%
  Operating expenses                     23.43%       22.19%
  Operating income                        5.24%        8.05%

AmerisourceBergen Corporation
  Gross profit                            3.98%        4.73%
  Operating expenses                      2.65%        2.64%
  Operating income                        1.34%        2.09%


                    AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION
                     SUMMARY SEGMENT INFORMATION
                        (dollars in thousands)
                             (unaudited)

                                       Nine Months Ended June 30,
                                   -----------------------------------
Operating Revenue                      2005         2004     % Change
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Pharmaceutical Distribution        $36,536,623  $36,146,896         1%
PharMerica                           1,169,742    1,184,850        -1%
Intersegment eliminations             (658,624)    (650,137)       -1%
                                   ------------ ------------

  Operating revenue                $37,047,741  $36,681,609         1%
                                   ============ ============


                                       Nine Months Ended June 30,
                                   -----------------------------------
Operating Income                       2005         2004     % Change
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Pharmaceutical Distribution           $381,736     $605,554       -37%
PharMerica                              76,094       88,080       -14%
Facility consolidations and
 employee severance                    (10,717)      (5,319)     -101%
Gain on litigation settlements          40,094       38,005         5%
Impairment charge                       (5,259)           -       N/A
                                   ------------ ------------

  Operating income                    $481,948     $726,320       -34%
                                   ============ ============


Percentages of operating revenue:

Pharmaceutical Distribution
  Gross profit                            2.97%        3.53%
  Operating expenses                      1.92%        1.85%
  Operating income                        1.04%        1.68%

PharMerica
  Gross profit                           28.54%       30.60%
  Operating expenses                     22.03%       23.16%
  Operating income                        6.51%        7.43%

AmerisourceBergen Corporation
  Gross profit                            3.94%        4.57%
  Operating expenses                      2.64%        2.59%
  Operating income                        1.30%        1.98%


                     AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION
                          EARNINGS PER SHARE
                (In thousands, except per share data)
                             (unaudited)

Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted
average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the
periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the
basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock
outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effect of stock
options. Additionally, the diluted earnings per share calculation
considers the convertible subordinated notes as if converted and,
therefore, the effect of interest expense related to those notes is
added back to net income in determining income from continuing
operations available to common stockholders.

                                Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
                                     June 30,           June 30,
                                 2005      2004      2005      2004
                                -------- --------- --------- ---------
Income from continuing
 operations, before cumulative
 effect of change in accounting $99,844  $127,175  $270,579  $380,987
Interest expense - convertible
 subordinated notes, net of
 income taxes                         -     2,530     2,539     7,590
                                -------- --------- --------- ---------
Income from continuing
 operations available to common
 stockholders                   $99,844  $129,705  $273,118  $388,577
                                ======== ========= ========= =========

Weighted average common shares
 outstanding - basic            103,782   111,956   106,316   111,837
Effect of dilutive securities:
  Options to purchase common
   stock                            638       536       513       543
  Convertible subordinated
   notes                              -     5,664     1,932     5,664
                                -------- --------- --------- ---------

Weighted average common shares
 outstanding - diluted          104,420   118,156   108,761   118,044
                                ======== ========= ========= =========


Earnings per share:
  Basic
    Continuing operations         $0.96     $1.13     $2.55     $3.41
    Discontinued operations       (0.05)    (0.01)    (0.14)    (0.04)
    Cumulative effect of change
     in accounting                    -         -     (0.10)        -
                                -------- --------- --------- ---------
      Net income                  $0.91     $1.12     $2.31     $3.37
                                ======== ========= ========= =========

  Diluted
    Continuing operations         $0.96     $1.10     $2.51     $3.29
    Discontinued operations       (0.05)    (0.01)    (0.14)    (0.04)
    Cumulative effect of change
     in accounting                    -         -     (0.09)        -
                                -------- --------- --------- ---------
      Net income                  $0.91     $1.09     $2.28     $3.25
                                ======== ========= ========= =========


                    AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION
                         CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING
                             (UNAUDITED)

Effective October 1, 2004, the Company changed its method of
recognizing cash discounts and other related manufacturer incentives.
The Company previously recognized cash discounts as a reduction of
cost of goods sold when earned, which was primarily upon payment of
vendor invoices. The Company now records cash discounts as a
component of inventory cost and recognizes such discounts as a
reduction to cost of goods sold upon the sale of the inventory. In
connection with the Company's transition to a fee-for-service model,
the Company believes the change in accounting method provides a more
objectively determinable method of recognizing cash discounts and a
better matching of inventory cost to revenue, as inventory turnover
rates are expected to continue to improve.

The Company recorded a $10.2 million cumulative effect of change in
accounting (net of tax of $6.3 million) in the consolidated statement
of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2005. This $10.2
million cumulative effect adjustment reduced diluted earnings per
share by $0.09 for the nine months ended June 30, 2005. The
accounting change is incorporated in the Company's results for the
three months ended June 30, 2005, and the change improved earnings
from continuing operations in the June quarter by approximately $0.9
million, net of tax, and had no impact on diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations. The accounting change improved earnings
from continuing operations in the nine months ended June 30, 2005 by
approximately $9.8 million, net of tax, or $0.08 per diluted share
from continuing operations.


The pro forma effect of this accounting change on prior periods is as
follows:

                                          Three Months   Nine Months
                                              Ended          Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)     June 30, 2004 June 30, 2004
----------------------------------------- ------------- --------------

Income from continuing operations before
 cumulative effect of change in
 accounting:
      As Reported                             $127,175       $380,987
      Pro Forma                               $131,426       $380,761
Net income:
      As Reported                             $125,775       $376,401
      Pro Forma                               $130,026       $376,175

Basic earnings per share from continuing
 operations:
      As Reported                                $1.13          $3.41
      Pro Forma                                  $1.17          $3.40

Diluted earnings per share from
 continuing operations:
      As Reported                                $1.10          $3.29
      Pro Forma                                  $1.13          $3.29

SOURCE: AmerisourceBergen Corporation

AmerisourceBergen Corporation
Michael N. Kilpatric, 610-727-7118
mkilpatric@amerisourcebergen.com