Bergen Brunswig Signs New Sole Source Agreement With United Supermarkets; Renewal Signals Increased Commitment To Customer Service And Patient Care.

ORANGE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 12, 1998--Bergen Brunswig Drug Company (BBDC), a subsidiary of Bergen Brunswig Corporation (NYSE:BBC) today announced the signing of a three-year, sole source agreement to supply pharmaceuticals and related products to United Supermarkets' 38 stores in West and North Texas.

The agreement, expected to generate revenues of more than $90 million in revenues to Bergen over the three year period, extends a 10-year relationship with United Supermarkets during which Bergen and United have consistently worked together to achieve cost savings and increase patient care initiatives for United's consumers.

"We chose to continue our partnership with Bergen not only because of their excellent service levels, but because of our shared commitment to customer value and patient care," said Lee Wehde, United's director of pharmacy services. "We are convinced that Bergen's Generic Purchasing Program assures us that we can provide the best pricing for our customers, and we look forward to adding Bergen's portfolio of patient counseling initiatives to the immunization and other patient care programs we already have in place."

United Supermarkets pharmacies utilize the PDX platform of disease state management software developed at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy with assistance from Bergen Brunswig.

"United Supermarkets is a family-owned chain of supermarkets with an 82-year history of community involvement and dedication to customer value," said Brent Martini, president of Bergen Brunswig Drug Company. "Their pharmacy departments are well-respected and progressive in their approach to patient care, and we are proud that we continue to provide them with the outstanding programs and services they require to help them further these very important goals."

Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, United Supermarkets is a privately-held chain employing more than 3,800 employees in 20 Texas markets. The chain anticipates opening its 39th store in Snyder, Texas in June 1999.

Bergen Brunswig Corporation, a Fortune 500 company with 1998 revenues of $17.1 billion (includes bulk shipments to customers' warehouses), is one of the nation's leading supply channel management companies. In addition to its diversified healthcare product offerings, the Company offers innovative logistics management programs in pharmaceuticals and medical-surgical supplies to all healthcare venues. These programs are designed to help customers grow efficiently, improve cost-effectiveness and further support their focus on patient/consumer care.

Some of the information set forth in this press release 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. These uncertainties are described herein and in exhibit 99(a) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1998 and in other reports and exhibits filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Bergen Brunswig press releases are available at no charge through the company's Faxline. To receive a directory of available releases, call 800/344-7508 and follow the voice-prompt instructions. You may also view the company's website at www.bergenbrunswig.com.