The CPDN Executive Committee announced today that it has signed an agreement with McKesson Canada to design, host and implement the CPDN GATEWAY for its hospital pharmacy customers.

The new website will use technology developed by McKesson Canada for its PharmaClik site, which is already being utilized by over 2000 pharmacies including 400 hospitals across Canada. CPDN anticipates making the Gateway available to customers beginning in May 2004.

After consideration of all alternatives, CPDN has also decided to align with McKesson Canada as their single, national logistics provider. McKesson Canada has serviced CPDN's western customers since 1996, and is well positioned to bring on significant synergies by taking on the eastern market as well. This new, national arrangement will be effective May 2004.

The Canadian Pharmaceutical Distribution Network (CPDN) is a management company operated at arms length by 20 international pharmaceutical companies with operations in Canada. Its objective is to bring supply chain efficiencies and savings for the member companies and their hospital customers through consolidated ordering shipping and billing processes.