IMS And Community Pharmacy Section of International Pharmaceutical Federation Establish Award Program.

Business Editors

SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2003

Global Prize Program to Award Total of 24,000 Euros for

Outstanding Research Addressing Pharmacist Role in Patient

Healthcare

IMS Health (NYSE: RX) and The Community Pharmacy Section of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP CPS) today announced the launch of a recognition program to honor and reward original thinking in the field of healthcare. The IMS & FIP CPS Prize 2003-2004 will recognize outstanding research addressing "How pharmacists can be fully engaged in patient-oriented healthcare -- aspects of management, change strategy and training." Open to students, researchers or healthcare professionals associated with private or public organizations, the global prize program will award 8,000 euros to the first prize winner, and 4,000 euros to each of four second prize winners. The program was announced at the 63rd International Congress of FIP, a conference that attracts more than 3,000 pharmacists and healthcare participants annually.

IMS is the world's leading provider of information solutions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. FIP CPS supports community-based pharmacists by providing professional development programs relating to pharmaceutical care, pharmacotherapy, health promotion, communication and documentation, as well as by offering a platform for professionals and leaders.

"The 2003-2004 Prize competition challenges researchers to explore how pharmacists can become more involved in patients' healthcare, and to recommend ways that pharmacists can prepare for this new role," said Gilles Pajot, executive vice president and president, IMS European Region. "We're pleased to be partnering with the Community Pharmacy Section of FIP on this program. IMS has a long-standing commitment to FIP CPS, supporting its professional development program and promotion of public health."

IMS has sponsored a prize program to recognize and foster original thinking in healthcare since 1998. This year's program will examine a range of perspectives in the pharmacists research arena -- including how pharmacists can broaden their focus from dispensing products to more effectively serving the healthcare needs of patients.

IMS and FIP CPS are collaborating with the European Association for Pharmaceutical Law and Economics (EAPLE) to ensure that all submissions are evaluated objectively. Research papers may be submitted in English, French, German or Spanish, and will be reviewed by a separate selection committee for each language.

The selection committees will only accept unpublished works and university theses, and will be paying particular attention to submissions that demonstrate originality of thought, methodology, analysis of the environment and constructive recommendations for the future. Submissions are due by December 31, 2004 and winners will be announced in the second quarter of 2005.

For more information about the IMS & FIP CPS Prize 2003-2004, go to http://www.imshealth.com/prize or http://www.fip.org, or e-mail [e-mail].

About IMS Health

Operating in more than 100 countries, IMS is the world's leading provider of information solutions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. With $1.4 billion in 2002 revenue and nearly 50 years of industry experience, IMS offers leading-edge business intelligence products and services that are integral to clients' day-to-day operations, including marketing effectiveness solutions for prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products; sales optimization solutions to increase pharmaceutical sales force productivity; and consulting and customized services that turn information into actionable insights.