BERGEN BRUNSWIG REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS; Revenues Advance 16%; Earnings Up 14%.

ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 1996--Bergen Brunswig Corporation (NYSE:BBC) announced today results for its third quarter ended June 30, 1996. Revenues advanced 16% in the third quarter to $2.5 billion from $2.2 billion last year. Net earnings grew 14% to $19.2 million versus $16.9 million last year. Likewise, earnings per share increased 14% to $.48 in this year's third quarter from $.42 last year.

For the first nine months of the 1996 fiscal year, revenues climbed 18% to $7.3 billion from $6.2 billion last year. Net earnings reached $55.2 million, a 14% gain over last year's $48.3 million for the nine month period and earnings per share reached $1.37 for the same period versus $1.22 last year.

"We are pleased with the Company's performance this past quarter," said Robert E. Martini, Chairman and CEO. "Besides achieving another record revenue mark, which we believe continues to position us as the leading pharmaceutical distributor in the United States, we experienced more stable gross profit margins. Factors contributing to more stable margins include our emphasis on more profitable programs and services, and growth in our medical-surgical supply business."

Mr. Martini further commented, "Last month we unveiled our re-defined strategic direction for the Company. Simply stated, our goal is to accelerate Bergen's leadership position as a highly integrated distributor of healthcare products and services by leveraging our assets and expertise and building stronger alliances with both our provider and supplier customers."

"The recent announcements of our Timed Inventory and Timed Asset Management Programs (TIMS/TAMS), ASD's (a subsidiary of Bergen Brunswig Corporation) marketing distribution agreement with VIVUS, Inc., and the roll-out last week of our PlusCare program at our annual Trade Show are evidence of our vision follow through," explained Donald R. Roden, President and Chief Operating Officer. "We believe the TIMS and TAMS initiatives -- which will offer pharmacy customers a method to avoid investment in pharmaceutical inventory until it is dispensed and a program to relieve the pharmacists from the collection process of third-party receivables -- clearly distinguish us in the marketplace as the only distributor to propose a comprehensive customer asset management program designed to free up pharmacy working capital."

Mr. Roden continued, "In addition to our partnering with `provider' customers, we plan to form strategic alliances with selected `supplier' customers, offering them impact-oriented marketing and sales programs. The VIVUS contract signed last week with our specialty distribution group, ASD, is an excellent example of what we can do to support a product launch. ASD will be an integral component in driving our strategic effort with supplier customers."

Bergen Brunswig's management team plans to visit with the investment community in New York, Philadelphia and Boston during the latter part of August to further detail its strategy and future direction.

Bergen Brunswig Corporation, with national distribution of both pharmaceuticals and medical-surgical supplies, serves its customer base -- chain and independent pharmacies, hospitals, HMOs, nursing homes, clinics, and physician groups -- with innovative logistics management programs that help them grow efficiently and improve the cost effectiveness of their operations and further support their focus on patient/consumer care. Bergen Brunswig Corporation's operating teams include Bergen Brunswig Drug Company, Durr Medical, IntePlex(tm), Alternate Site Distributors (ASD), and Good Neighbor Pharmacy(r).

Bergen Brunswig news releases are available at no charge through the Company's Faxline. To receive a directory of available releases, call [phone] and follow the voice-prompt instructions.

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                        Bergen Brunswig Corporation
                Summary of Consolidated Sales and Earnings
                               (Unaudited)

(in thousands except share   Third Quarter Ended    Nine Months Ended
& per share amounts)               June 30,              June 30,
                               1996        1995      1996       1995

Net sales & other revenues  $2,492,194 $2,157,361 $7,323,916 $6,225,440

Costs & expenses:
  Cost of sales              2,347,302  2,033,311  6,896,914  5,857,899
  Distribution, selling,
   general & administrative
   expenses                    104,244     88,268    308,179    263,204
      Total costs & expenses 2,451,546  2,121,579  7,205,093  6,121,103

Operating earnings              40,648     35,782    118,823    104,337
Net interest expense             7,553      6,688     23,631     21,082
Earnings before taxes
                 on income      33,095     29,094     95,192     83,255
Taxes on income                 13,900     12,219     39,981     34,967

Net earnings                  $ 19,195   $ 16,875   $ 55,211   $ 48,288

Average number of common &
  common equiv. shares(a)   40,323,620 40,049,920 40,223,503 39,728,822

Earnings per share(a)         $    .48   $    .42   $   1.37   $   1.22

(a)Gives effect to the 5% stock dividend declared January 26, 1995.
Earnings per common and common equivalent share are based on the
weighted average number of shares of Class A Common Stock
outstanding during each period and the assumed exercise of
employees' stock options.

                        Bergen Brunswig Corporation
                   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                               (Unaudited)

                                    June 30,          September 30,
(in thousands)                        1996                1995

Assets

Cash & cash equivalents           $  32,241            $  64,400
Accounts & notes receivable         589,923              603,830
Inventories                       1,172,197            1,158,465
Other current assets                  6,983               17,190
    Total current assets          1,801,344            1,843,885
Net property & other assets         557,805              561,645
    Total assets                 $2,359,149           $2,405,530

Liabilities & Shareowners' Equity

Accounts payable                 $1,178,603           $1,140,466
Other current liabilities           208,970              187,944
    Total current liabilities     1,387,573            1,328,410
Long-term obligations               407,196              557,771
Shareowners' equity                 564,380              519,349
    Total liabilities &
      shareowners' equity        $2,359,149           $2,405,530

CONTACT: Bergen Brunswig

Lisa Riordan, [phone]