Press Release

CVS/pharmacy Encourages Customers to 'Know Your Medicine, Know Your Pharmacist'

CVS to promote the patient-pharmacist relationship as part of American Pharmacist Month

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy will celebrate American Pharmacists Month this October by encouraging its customers to regularly interact with their pharmacist in order to better understand both their prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Created by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the largest professional association of pharmacists in the United States, the 2005 American Pharmacists Month will promote the theme, "Know Your Medicine, Know Your Pharmacist." Survey data collected by the APhA shows a clear correlation between the strength of the patient-pharmacist relationship and a patient's comfort level and ability to ask their pharmacist questions about their medication.

"A pharmacist's job today entails much more than simply preparing and distributing prescriptions, and they are the most accessible member of the health care profession. A pharmacist represents something rare for consumers today, instant access without an appointment to a trained healthcare professional who can help them. Our patients consider us to be a partner in their health care, and it is important for them to know that CVS pharmacists are always ready to advise them on both simple and complex concerns about their medications and their health," said Jon Roberts, R.Ph., Senior Vice President of Store Operations.

CVS/pharmacy employs more than 15,000 pharmacists in 5,400 stores across 37 states. It will promote American Pharmacists Month throughout October with:

• Information in CVS/pharmacy advertising circulars
• In-store audio information
• In-store communications to customers on prescription bags

"All of us at CVS/pharmacy want to thank our pharmacists for their daily commitment to delivering world-class service. Their hard work and dedication is instrumental in making CVS/pharmacy the easiest pharmacy retailer for customers to use," said Roberts.

CVS/pharmacy has created innovative approaches to serve the healthcare needs of all customers through its CVS stores; its online pharmacy, CVS.com; and its pharmacy benefit management, mail order and specialty pharmacy subsidiary, PharmaCare.