CHOLESTECH CORPORATION and AMERISOURCE HEALTH
CORPORATION
ANNOUNCE PHARMACY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
--Proprietary Cholestech LDX r System will enable pharmacists to provide better patient care--
HAYWARD, CA (April 16, 1997) -- Cholestech Corporation (Nasdaq: CTEC) and AmeriSource Health
Corporation (NYSE: AAS) of Malvern, PA, today announced that they have signed a multi-year
distribution agreement to launch the Cholestech LDX System nationwide to pharmacies. This agreement
guarantees a minimum of $7 million to Cholestech over the first two years, with a provision for the
negotiation of a third year. AmeriSource is the fourth largest full service wholesaler of pharmaceuticals
and health care products and services to pharmacies throughout the United States.
The Cholestech LDX System is a telephone-sized diagnostic device which employs a single-use,
state-of-the-art disposable cassette to perform multiple tests from a single drop of whole blood. In
addition to measuring total cholesterol, the System can provide a full lipid panel of high-density lipoprotein
(HDL, or "good" cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol), triglycerides, glucose
levels, and a cardiac risk assessment.
The Cholestech LDX System has been shown to provide results - in five minutes - that are as accurate
as similar tests performed in clinical and hospital labs. It is currently the only point of-care, multi-analyte
system that is waived under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988, meaning
that it can be operated reliably by anyone without requiring specific medical training.
"Our agreement with AmeriSource will benefit both pharmacies and their customers as well as both
companies." said Warren E., Pinckert II, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cholestech. "Because
the Cholestech LDX System provides accurate, nearly immediate results, it is a critical tool for
pharmacists -- one that will help both Cholestech and AmeriSource achieve our goals of developing the
pharmacy market as a source for wellness information and counseling."
The Cholestech LDX System will become an integral part of the AmeriSource Encara" Program, which
allows pharmacists to track patient disease states and the effectiveness of pharmaceutical care.
Pharmacists using the Cholestech LDX System will be able to efficiently and economically screen
customers for two of the most prevalent disease states, diabetes and hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol),
and provide immediate counseling. Customers will take away a risk assessment profile and be encouraged
to discuss their health with their physicians. In addition to the Encarar Program, the Cholestech LDX
System complements the Diabetes Shopper marketing and education program recently acquired by
AmeriSource.
"The Cholestech LDX System offers a unique opportunity for us to continue expanding the pharmacist's
role in patient management," said John F. McNamara, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
AmeriSource. "Pharmacists will be able to work with patients at the point of care to assess their risk,
encourage compliance, and help improve overall healthcare outcomes."
About Cholestech and AmeriSource
Cholestech Corporation manufactures and markets a proprietary system to healthcare and disease
management professionals at the point of care. The Cholestech LDX System is positioned to benefit
from the increasing emphasis on preventative health care and disease management. Cholestech's portfolio
of CLIA-waived products is designed to offer efficient and economic screening and monitoring options
which will ultimately enable people to lead longer, healthier, and more active lives.
AmeriSource Health Corporation is the fourth largest, full-service wholesale distributor of pharmaceutical
and related healthcare products and services to pharmacies throughout the United States with revenues of
$5.6 billion for the year ended September 30, 1996. Through 22 strategically located distribution centers
and 3 specialty units, the Company delivers more than 80,000 items dispensed in hospitals, clinics,
nursing homes; and for sale by independent community pharmacies, chain drug stores and pharmacy
departments of supermarkets and mass merchandisers. AmeriSource became a public company in April
1995 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol "AAS". |
