As part of the agreement leading to the reinstatement,
AmerisourceBergen implemented an enhanced and more sophisticated order
monitoring program in all AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation
distribution centers starting July 1, 2007, after which the Company
passed several DEA inspections of the new program.
The Company expects the new order monitoring program to quickly
become the industry standard as it requires more rapid identification
and daily reporting of orders that may indicate diversion of
controlled substances. In some instances, it includes halting the
shipment of orders that require further investigation by the Company.
The monitoring program also requires a more rigorous examination
process before the delivery of controlled substances to newly signed
customers.
About AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC) is one of the world's largest
pharmaceutical services companies serving the United States, Canada
and selected global markets. Servicing both pharmaceutical
manufacturers and healthcare providers in the pharmaceutical supply
channel, the Company provides drug distribution and related services
designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes.
AmerisourceBergen's service solutions range from pharmacy automation
and pharmaceutical packaging to reimbursement and pharmaceutical
consulting services. With more than $64 billion in annual revenue,
AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs
more than 11,500 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #29 on the
Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to
www.amerisourcebergen.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release may contain certain "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements
are based on management's current expectations and are subject to
uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary
materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking
statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual
results to differ materially from those described in any
forward-looking statements: competitive pressures; the loss of one or
more key customer or supplier relationships; customer defaults or
insolvencies; changes in customer mix; supplier defaults or
insolvencies; changes in pharmaceutical manufacturers' pricing and
distribution policies or practices; adverse resolution of any contract
or other disputes with customers (including departments and agencies
of the U.S. Government) or suppliers; regulatory changes (including
increased government regulation of the pharmaceutical supply channel);
government enforcement initiatives (including (i) the imposition of
increased obligations upon pharmaceutical distributors to detect and
prevent suspicious orders of controlled substances (ii) the
commencement of further administrative actions by the U. S. Drug
Enforcement Administration seeking to suspend or revoke the license of
any of the Company's distribution facilities to distribute controlled
substances, or (iii) the commencement of any enforcement actions by
any U.S. Attorney alleging violation of laws and regulations regarding
diversion of controlled substances and suspicious order monitoring);
changes in U.S. government policies (including reimbursement changes
arising from federal legislation, including the Medicare Modernization
Act and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005); changes in regulatory or
clinical medical guidelines and/or reimbursement practices for the
pharmaceuticals we distribute; price inflation in branded
pharmaceuticals and price deflation in generics; the inability of the
Company to successfully complete any transaction that the Company may
wish to pursue from time to time; fluctuations in market interest
rates; operational or control issues arising from the Company's
outsourcing of information technology activities; success of
integration, restructuring or systems initiatives; fluctuations in the
U.S. dollar - Canadian dollar exchange rate and other foreign exchange
rates; economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory developments
in Canada, the United Kingdom and elsewhere outside of the United
States; acquisition of businesses that do not perform as we expect or
that are difficult for us to integrate or control; changes in tax
legislation or adverse resolution of challenges to our tax positions;
and other economic, business, competitive, legal, tax, regulatory
and/or operational factors affecting the business of the Company
generally. Certain additional factors that management believes could
cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those
described in forward-looking statements are set forth (i) in Item 1A
(Risk Factors) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 and elsewhere in that report and
(ii) in other reports filed by the Company pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
SOURCE: AmerisourceBergen Corporation
AmerisourceBergen Corporation
Michael N. Kilpatric, 610-727-7118
mkilpatric@amerisourcebergen.com