I don't think that this was the NR that people got all excited over. I think that there is one more to come. Perhaps early next week? :)
(Applies to: HCEN)
HealthCentral Completes Prescription Fulfillment Outsourcing; HealthCentral Anticipates Cost Savings as a Result
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jun 6, 2001 (BW HealthWire) -- HealthCentral (Nasdaq:HCEN), a leading online provider of healthcare e-commerce and content, announced that it has outsourced prescription fulfillment to Familymeds Group, Inc., a leading multi-channel retailer of prescription medications.
"We are committed to saving significant costs throughout the company and the outsourcing of prescription fulfillment allows us to move towards achieving this goal," said Fred Toney, CEO and President. "Closing our pharmacy is expected to improve the company's gross profit margin and improve prescription drug fulfillment for our customers. Prescriptions have been a small percent of our orders because we have always focused more heavily on our other product categories. However, we believe that it is important to continue to offer this line of products."
"For the customer, the on-line ordering process through WebRx.com and HealthCentral.com hasn't changed. We do not anticipate any interruption in prescription fulfillment services," said Miles Munger, VP of Merchandising and Marketing. "We are delighted to form this partnership with Familymeds, which has a national reputation for good customer service and rapid delivery."
Familymeds Group, Inc. is a multi-channel retailer of prescription medications, specialty pharmaceuticals and other health care products. Familymeds performs retail, mail order and Internet fulfillment services. Familymeds retail pharmacies are typically located near or within medical office buildings, clinics and hospitals. Familymeds.com received a national award for Best Pharmacy Site from Yahoo!, top ranking for its on-line pharmacy site from Men's Health magazine, "Best Pharmaceutical Site with an International Vision" (for its Spanish site), and "Best Pharmaceutical Site" at the 2000 eHealthCare World Conference. "This arrangement underscores the compelling logic of Familymeds' offering turn-key, online-pharmacy solutions," said Ed Mercadante, CEO of Familymeds. "This has been our model from the start, and we are pleased to add HealthCentral.com to our growing list of first rate business partners," he continued.
Investor Relations Site: ir.healthcentral.com
About HealthCentral
HealthCentral (Nasdaq:HCEN) is a leading provider of healthcare e-commerce to consumers through WebRx(SM), a network of sites representing the consolidation of Vitamins.com, HealthCentral.com, RxList.com and others. Its e-commerce site,
WebRx(SM) (www.webrx.com), features more than 25,000 products. WebRx(SM) features one of the largest on-line selections of vitamins, a Vision Center and a Comfort Living department (www.comfortliving.com) with a broad range of products including maternity and baby care, ergonomic chairs, water purifiers and an extensive line of allergy control products. HealthCentral.com
(www.healthcentral.com) provides health-related information and commentary by Dr. Dean Edell, MD and other experts. RxList.com (www.rxlist.com) provides both patient-focused and professional-focused prescription drug information monographs.
About Familymeds Group Inc.
Familymeds Group, Inc. sells prescription medications, specialty pharmaceuticals and other healthcare products through retail, online and mail order pharmacies. Familymeds, whose stores are predominately located in or near medical office buildings, medical clinics and hospitals, operates 118 pharmacies, in 17 states. Familymeds.com, the company's online pharmacy, was among the first to be awarded the Verified Internet Pharmacy Provider Site (VIPPS), by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Familymeds.com's B2B strategy has positioned the firm as a preferred partner for managed care and retail organizations seeking an Internet pharmacy solution.
HealthCentral Forward Looking Statements
Except for historical information, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, involving risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to successfully implement its operational plan, including the outsourcing of its pharmacy, the possible delisting of the Company's stock from the Nasdaq National Market, the Company's limited operating history and need to generate revenues, the Company's need to raise additional cash, including proposed asset sales, the substantial competition in the e-health market, possible liability related to product or content on or accessed through the Company's Web sites, the need to build a brand name quickly, the effect of substantial and changing government regulation, possible systems interruptions, a failure to integrate acquisitions or manage resources, and a failure to retain key employees. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in HealthCentral.com's Quarterly Report for Q1, 2001 on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 and other documents filed with the SEC.
CONTACT: HealthCentral
Diane Jankiewicz, 510/250-2658 (Financial and Media)
dianej@healthcentral.com
www.ir.healthcentral.com
Patricia Fukami, 510/250-2627 (Vice President of Finance)
patty@healthcentral.com
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KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY
E-COMMERCE
MEDICAL
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STOCK SYMBOLS: [(hcen)] |
