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Albertsons and Take Care Health Systems(SM) to Pilot In-Store Nurse Practitioner Health Centers

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 August 2005, 06:00 CDT

BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Albertson's, Inc. has announced an agreement with Take Care Health Systems, LLC to conduct a test of its in-store Health Centers in 6 Osco Drug Stores in the Greater Kansas City market. The clinics will be staffed by certified nurse practitioners who will provide diagnosis and treatment of common family illnesses, administer vaccines, conduct physical examinations and perform diagnostic screenings in a convenient drug store setting. Patients will be able to visit Osco Drug/Take Care Health Systems centers without an appointment seven days a week.

"Osco Pharmacists have long maintained partnerships with health professionals in the community, working together to serve their patients' health-care needs," said Kevin Tripp, executive vice president, drugstore operations and president, Albertsons Drug Division. "We are excited to now provide our patients with easy access to high-quality, affordable health care services in addition to the care Osco Pharmacists provide in their neighborhood drug store."

"Take Care differentiates itself by truly taking a team-based approach with other key health care providers in the community in order to function as a much-needed complement to primary care, not as a replacement for it," said Dr. Regina Baime, Take Care's Chief Medical Officer. "Our goal is to provide highly accessible, high quality, patient-centered care."

Take Care Nurse Practitioners will have physicians available for contact regarding questions or referral should they need support as they work with patients.

Doctor David Nash, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Health Policy at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and Chairman of the Take Care National Medical Advisory Board, commented, "The Take Care model -- namely convenience and increased access -- will help to make needed fundamental changes in the delivery of primary health care."

Albertsons operates over 1,900 Osco and Sav-on pharmacies across the United States in stores with the company's banners in 37 states, including the 51 Osco Drug stores in Greater Kansas City. Take Care Health Centers will be opening in the counties of Platte and Jackson, Missouri, as well as Johnson and Wyandotte, Kansas.

About Albertsons

Albertsons is one of the world's largest food and drug retailers. The Company's divisions and subsidiaries operate approximately 2,500 stores in 37 states across the U.S. and employ approximately 240,000 associates. Its banners include Albertsons, Acme, Shaw's, Jewel-Osco, Sav-on Drugs, Osco Drug, and Star Market, as well as Super Saver and Bristol Farms, which are operated independently. For more information about Albertsons, please visit our website at http://www.albertsons.com/.

About Take Care Health Systems(SM)

By working with national retail pharmacies across the nation, focusing on collaboration with traditional healthcare channels and leveraging best-in-class technology, Take Care Health Systems of Conshohocken, PA is bringing high-quality, convenient and affordable healthcare to all Americans. Take Care's vision is to marry best practices in medicine and the expertise and personal care of Take Care Nurse Practitioners with world-class customer service, filling a critical need in America by providing easy access to healthcare. The company's Nurse Practitioners focus exclusively on diagnosis, treatment, screenings and vaccinations for common family illnesses. From providing an easy entry point to healthcare to a pathway to electronic medical records, Take Care believes its care model has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery -- both by bringing more individuals into healthcare and ultimately lowering costs within the system. The firm was co-founded by noted entrepreneur Hal Rosenbluth, a travel industry expert on customer service, and skilled consumer marketing executive, Peter Miller, a former Johnson & Johnson consumer healthcare leader. For more information on the company please visit http://www.takecarehealth.com/.

This press release contains "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, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. All statements herein that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs or expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, among others, those set forth in our reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (which reports and documents should be read in conjunction with this press release). We believe that all forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions when made; however, we caution that you should not place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made, and we undertake no obligation to update these statements in light of subsequent events or developments. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from anticipated results or outcomes discussed in forward-looking statements.

Albertson's, Inc.

CONTACT: Karen Ramos of Albertsons, Inc., +1-480-767-4534,karen.ramos@albertsons.com; or Lauren Tierney, +1-484-832-5276,Lauren.Tierney@takecarehealth.com, or Darren Brandt, +1-212-446-1861, both ofTake Care Health Systems(SM)

Web site: http://www.albertsons.com/http://www.takecarehealth.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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