Accredo Health, Incorporated to Distribute its First Non-Injectable Drug.

Business Editors, Health/Medical Writers

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 5, 2001

Accredo Health, Incorporated (Nasdaq:ACDO) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Nova Factor, Inc., has signed a distribution agreement with Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. for the distribution of Tracleer(TM) (bosentan). Actelion Ltd (SWX New Market: ATLN), a Switzerland based biopharmaceutical company, is a leading player in creative science related to the endothelium - the single layer of cells separating blood vessels from the blood stream.

Nova Factor has been chosen as one of the preferred distributors of Tracleer(TM), which will be used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In addition, Nova Factor has also been chosen by Actelion to serve as the exclusive distributor for its patient support service, the Tracleer Patient Assistance Program (TPAP).

"We are pleased to have entered into this relationship with such a quality organization to distribute its innovative new product", said Nova Factor President John R. Grow. "We believe Tracleer(TM) will provide a more convenient alternative for patients being treated for PAH."

Tracleer(TM) is indicated to improve exercise ability and decrease the rate of clinical worsening in PAH patients with significant limitation of physical activity (WHO Class III and IV). PAH is a chronic, life-threatening disorder that can severely compromise the function of the lungs and heart.

Approximately 11 % of patients receiving Tracleer(TM) experienced abnormal but reversible liver enzyme elevations. It is therefore important that patients undergo monthly liver monitoring. Due to the risk of birth defects, women who are pregnant, or may become pregnant, cannot take Tracleer(TM). Monthly pregnancy tests are required for women of childbearing potential.

Physicians seeking to prescribe, or patients wanting to learn more about, Tracleer(TM) should contact the Tracleer Access Program (TAP) Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Patient Enrollment Forms are available by calling TAP, by faxing a request to 1- 866-279-0669, or by contacting an Actelion representative.

Accredo Chairman and CEO David D. Stevens stated, "Accredo has previously indicated that it would add non-injectable drugs to its product base where Accredo's service model and expertise would be of benefit to the manufacturer and the patients for whom the drug is prescribed. This contract represents Accredo's first expansion outside the distribution of injectable drugs. Accredo is not changing its focus as a specialty contract pharmacy. Accredo's business and service model is a perfect fit for this type of drug. Tracleer(TM) will be prescribed for a relative small patient population with a chronic disease that requires specialized handling and clinical monitoring by the distributor. Therefore Tracleer fits perfectly within our niche business," Stevens added.

"With this product expansion outside of the injectable drug market, Accredo Health has significantly increased the number of potential products and biopharmaceutical manufacturers who are possible clients for our services", commented Stevens.

Accredo Health, Incorporated provides specialized contract pharmacy and related services pursuant to agreements with biotechnology drug manufacturers relating to the treatment of patients with certain costly, chronic diseases. The company's services include collection of timely drug utilization and patient compliance information, patient education and monitoring through the use of written materials and telephonic consultation, reimbursement expertise and overnight drug delivery.

In addition to historical information, certain of the statements in the preceding paragraphs, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects and growth and operating strategies constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, predict, hope or similar expressions. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the loss of a biopharmaceutical relationship, our inability to sell existing products, the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation, the difficulty of predicting FDA and other regulatory authority approvals, the regulatory environment and changes in healthcare policies and structure, acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical products and new therapies, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the ability to obtain products from suppliers, reliance on strategic alliances, the ability to expand through joint ventures and acquisitions, the ability to maintain pricing arrangements with suppliers that preserve margins, the need for and ability to obtain additional capital, the seasonality and variability of operating results, the Company's ability to implement its strategies and achieve its objectives and the risks and uncertainties described in reports filed by Accredo with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including without limitation, cautionary statements made in Accredo's 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Accredo's latest quarterly report on 10-Q under the heading "Risk Factors."