VALLEY FORGE, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 7,
2005–AmerisourceBergen Corporation and Allscripts (Nasdaq:MDRX),
today announced a strategic alliance to support the adoption and
connectivity of electronic prescribing in response to provisions of
the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) and the recommendations of the
Commission on Systemic Interoperability for connecting Americans’
health information.

Using AmerisourceBergen and Allscripts solutions, the alliance
will focus on delivering healthcare providers with authorized
electronic access to patient medication records and drug monitoring
across the continuum of healthcare. This innovative solution is
expected to be an early step toward creating the interoperable
medication record, which will enhance clinical, economic and
operational efficiencies in our nation’s healthcare delivery system.

“Allscripts offers the most widely used electronic prescribing
application in the market,” said Susan Stinson, Vice President –
Clinical Integration Strategy for AmerisourceBergen. “It is a solution
that can be used throughout the continuum of care. It provides a safe,
secure and affordable exchange of information with a full range of
solutions for physicians to use to document care, to order tests, to
receive and view results, and to assess them over an extended period
of time.”

As part of the strategic alliance, AmerisourceBergen is acquiring
the right to distribute licenses for the entire portfolio of
Allscripts clinical software products including the TouchWorks Rx+
ePrescribing application from Allscripts, for distribution to
AmerisourceBergen customers. The Allscripts solutions distributed by
AmerisourceBergen will assist health systems, physicians and
pharmacies in complying with new Health and Human Services (HHS)
regulations supporting electronic prescriptions for Medicare Part D,
the prescription drug benefit taking effect in January 2006. As part
of the Medicare Modernization Act, Medicare will require pharmacies
participating in the new prescription drug benefit to support
electronic prescribing. Health and Human Services is establishing
standards and steps to encourage the adoption of ePrescribing.

“We view AmerisourceBergen as a key part of the process of
managing medication and related data as it moves from the manufacturer
through the care delivery process and ultimately to the patient,” said
Lee Shapiro, President of Allscripts. “AmerisourceBergen is the first
in taking this important step in closing the circle, allowing for
continuity across the entire chain of care, which is vital in
providing for the safety and security of the interoperable medication
process.”

Allscripts provides a portfolio of clinical software, connectivity
and information solutions to more than 20,000 physicians and other
healthcare providers. TouchWorks Rx+ enables a medical group to start
with ePrescribing and then, when they are ready, seamlessly transition
to a complete electronic health record. A key element of Allscripts’
electronic health record, TouchWorks(TM), is its exchange of
information with the industry leading interactive, secure personal
health record for patients provided by Medem, also a strategic partner
of AmerisourceBergen (see related announcement). AmerisourceBergen
Customers who are interested in obtaining more information about
Allscripts’ offerings should contact their AmerisourceBergen account
manager or log onto www.amerisourcebergen.com.

About AmerisourceBergen

AmerisourceBergen is one of the largest pharmaceutical services
companies in the United States. 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 pharmacy services for skilled nursing
and assisted living facilities, reimbursement and pharmaceutical
consulting services, and physician education. With more than $54
billion in annual revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in
Valley Forge, PA, and employs more than 14,000 people.
AmerisourceBergen is ranked #23 on the Fortune 500 list. For more
information, go to www.amerisourcebergen.com.

About Allscripts

Allscripts is the leading provider of clinical software,
connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve
healthcare. The Company provides unique solutions that inform,
connect, and transform healthcare. The Clinical Solutions Group’s
award-winning clinical software applications include electronic health
record, ePrescribing and document imaging solutions. Allscripts’
Physicians Interactive Group provides clinical product education and
connectivity solutions for physicians and patients. The Company’s
Medication Services Group provides medication fulfillment services. To
learn more, visit Allscripts on the Web at www.allscripts.com.

    CONTACT: AmerisourceBergen
             Claire Galligan, 610-727-2441
             cgalligan@amerisourcebergen.com
             or
             Allscripts
             Dan Michelson, 312-506-1217
             Dan.Michelson@allscripts.com

    SOURCE: Allscripts