Bergen Brunswig Announces Primary Source Agreement With Navarro Discount Pharmacies; Three-Year Contract Underscores Bergen's Value To Growing Regional Chains.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2000

Bergen Brunswig Drug Company (BBDC), a subsidiary of Bergen Brunswig Corporation (NYSE: BBC), today announced an exclusive three-year agreement under which it will supply pharmaceuticals, e-commerce strategies and other business solutions to pharmacies operated in Florida by Navarro Discount Pharmacies.

Navarro's, a privately held Hispanic discount drug store chain, ranks 34th among the nation's top 100 drug chains by dollar volume, according to Chain Drug Review.

Under terms of the contract, which is expected to generate approximately $100 million in incremental revenues to Bergen over its lifetime, Navarro's will utilize Bergen's Generic Purchasing Program(R) (GPP), PatientPlus(R) patient care program and direct-to-consumer fulfillment capabilities as well as Bergen's exclusive consumer database designed to facilitate e-commerce.

"We selected Bergen because of the company's high service levels as well as its technology expertise and innovative business solutions," said Jose Navarro, president of Navarro Discount Pharmacies. "In addition to offering us creative inventory management solutions via its exclusive alliance with PDX, we believe Bergen's e-commerce strategies, direct-to-consumer fulfillment and patient care initiatives will serve Navarro's long-term business goals."

The value of the Navarro's agreement extends beyond its financial implications, noted Jim Luce, Bergen's executive vice president, retail sales.

"Navarro's is a progressive company with a commitment to serving a loyal and growing customer base," Luce said. "On the heels of our recent contracts with Duane Reade, Fred's and SaveMart, we see Navarro's selection of Bergen as further confirmation that Bergen has developed the right mix of retail programs and e-commerce strategies to leverage current Internet trends and advance the business objectives of these important regional chain customers."

Bergen Brunswig Corporation, headquartered in Orange County, California, is a leading supplier of pharmaceuticals, medical-surgical supplies and specialty healthcare products as well as information management solutions and consulting services. Bergen's customers include the nation's healthcare providers (hospitals, nursing homes and physicians) drug stores, manufacturers and patients. Through its subsidiaries, Bergen provides product distribution; logistics; pharmacy management programs; and Internet fulfillment strategies designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes across the entire healthcare spectrum.

Certain of the information set forth in this press release, such as estimates regarding future sales and the impact of programs designed to enhance customers' revenues, may constitute "forward- looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. Such statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or the negatives or other variations thereof or other similar terminology. Such risks and uncertainties include the risks described in exhibit 99(a) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1999 and in other reports and exhibits filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Bergen Brunswig press releases are available on the company's website at www.bergenbrunswig.com.