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[September 21, 2005]

HealthTrans to Co-market Pharmacy Services with Duane Reade; New York Retailer also Signs HealthTrans for Corporate Pharmacy Benefits

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. --(Business Wire)-- Sept. 19, 2005 -- HealthTrans, a pharmacy benefit administrator, has signed a contract with Duane Reade, Inc., a New York retail pharmacy chain, to co-market pharmacy benefit services and to provide pharmacy benefit services to the retailer's employees. Under this two-part contract, HealthTrans and Duane Reade's will begin co-marketing pharmacy benefit services Nov. 1 to small and mid-sized employer groups and unions in the New York Metropolitan area. In addition, HealthTrans and Duane Reade will provide pharmacy benefit services beginning Jan. 1 to Duane Reade's 6,000 employees.


"Duane Reade, which has strong brand recognition as the predominant retail pharmacy provider in the New York area with approximately 255 pharmacies, is an ideal partner for HealthTrans as they are well-established and tuned to the needs of this market," said Jack McClurg, HealthTrans CEO.

"HealthTrans was selected primarily based on its transparent business model. Our business objectives of offering the most efficacious drug selection at the lowest net cost and HealthTrans' value-based formulary are well aligned with Duane Reade's objectives of being the employers advocate for reducing and predicting prescription drug plan expense," said Tony Cuti, Duane Reade CEO.

HealthTrans will provide Duane Reade with a full range of pharmacy benefit services including benefit plan design, formulary development and management, claims processing and informatics products support, enrollment and member communications support.

About HealthTrans

HealthTrans provides employers, third party administrators, managed care organizations (MCOs), and other payers with the tools and clinical expertise to more efficiently manage pharmacy benefit programs. HealthTrans' solutions use Web-enabled applications that provide clients with the increased flexibility to manage pharmacy network administration, benefits administration, claims processing, financial reporting, as well as manufacturers' rebate processing and reporting. HealthTrans offers its clients full-disclosure and a value-based formulary model that focuses on the lowest overall net drug spend to help them lower pharmacy costs. HealthTrans' services complement existing medical claims and pharmacy systems, and other legacy systems. For more information about HealthTrans, visit its Web site at http://www.healthtrans.com.

About Duane Reade Inc.

Founded in 1960, Duane Reade is the largest drug store chain in the metropolitan New York City area, offering a wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, health and beauty care items, cosmetics, greeting cards, photo supplies and photofinishing. Duane Reade's aggressive and targeted store opening program has expanded the chain from 67 stores at the end of 1997 to 255 stores at the end of 2004. The Company recorded fiscal 2004 sales of $1.4 billion.

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