Urges Stockholders to Vote GOLD Proxy Card AGAINST Proposed CVS
Transaction Now ST. LOUIS, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Express Scripts, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESRX) today commented on CVS
Corporation's (NYSE:CVS) revised offer to acquire Caremark Rx,
Inc., (NYSE:CMX). The Company stated: "Today's announcement can't
paper over a flawed process, weaker currency, and unproven
strategic rationale. Caremark stockholders are still being offered
a low growth CVS currency and ownership in a CVS/Caremark
combination that is predicated on a model that history shows will
destroy value. By contrast, Express Scripts is offering Caremark
stockholders greater certainty of value through a significant cash
payment - approximately 50% of the total consideration - in a
combination based on a model that has historically added value."
Four of the nation's leading independent proxy advisory firms,
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), CtW Investment Group,
Glass Lewis & Co. and Egan-Jones, have recommended Caremark
stockholders vote AGAINST the proposed acquisition by CVS at the
upcoming special meeting of stockholders. In its M&A Insight
Analysis, ISS stated: "Based on the risky strategic rationale, the
nil-premium offer price, the initial poor market reaction ... we
cannot fathom why the CMX board did not ... commence non-binding
negotiations with ESRX after it had submitted its unsolicited
offer."* The Company further commented, "Caremark stockholders
should be disappointed that instead of leveling the playing field
and sitting down to discuss our superior proposal to acquire
Caremark, the Caremark Board continues to ignore its
responsibilities to meet with us. Caremark stockholders should vote
against the CVS/Caremark transaction and send a message to the
Board that it is time to level the playing field. It is time for
the Board to allow a full and fair process to determine what is in
the best interests of Caremark stockholders." The advantages of an
Express Scripts/Caremark combination remain compelling.
Historically, vertical integrations involving a PBM have resulted
in value destruction on average of 36%. By contrast, horizontal PBM
transactions, like the proposed Express Scripts/Caremark
combination, result in value creation on average of 89%. Express
Scripts believes that Caremark stockholders will see greater
benefits through a combination with Express Scripts, under a
strategy that has proven to be successful, time and time again.
Express Scripts remains committed to pursuing a combination with
Caremark to create superior value for stockholders, plan sponsors
and patients. Express Scripts urges Caremark stockholders vote
AGAINST the CVS transaction by signing, dating and mailing in the
GOLD proxy card today. Caremark stockholders are reminded that
their vote is important. Stockholders may be able to vote their
shares by telephone or by the Internet, and are advised that if
they have any questions or need any assistance in voting their
shares, they should contact Express Scripts' proxy advisor,
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. Toll-Free at 800-322-2885. Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Arnold & Porter LLP are
acting as legal counsel to Express Scripts, and Citigroup Corporate
and Investment Banking and Credit Suisse are acting as financial
advisors. MacKenzie Partners, Inc. is acting as proxy advisor to
Express Scripts. Express Scripts also announced that it has
extended the expiration date of its exchange offer for all of the
outstanding shares of Caremark. The offer, which was scheduled to
expire at midnight, Eastern Time, on Tuesday, February 13, 2007,
has been extended until midnight, Eastern Time, Friday, March 16,
2007, unless extended. As of the close of business on February 12,
2007, a total of 4,331,533 shares of Caremark common stock had been
tendered into the exchange offer. The Exchange Offer is subject to
a number of conditions as described in the prospectus/offer to
exchange. Caremark stockholders may obtain copies of the proxy
materials including the GOLD proxy card and all of the offering
documents, including the prospectus/offer to exchange (and the
related letter of transmittal), free of charge at the SEC's website
(http://www.sec.gov/) or by directing a request to MacKenzie
Partners, Inc., at 800-322-2885 or by email at . *Permission to use
quotation was neither sought nor obtained. Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including,
but not limited to, statements related to the Company's plans,
objectives, expectations (financial and otherwise) or intentions.
Actual results may differ significantly from those projected or
suggested in any forward-looking statements. Factors that may
impact these forward-looking statements include but are not limited
to: - uncertainties associated with our acquisitions, which include
integration risks and costs, uncertainties associated with client
retention and repricing of client contracts, and uncertainties
associated with the operations of acquired businesses - costs and
uncertainties of adverse results in litigation, including a number
of pending class action cases that challenge certain of our
business practices - investigations of certain PBM practices and
pharmaceutical pricing, marketing and distribution practices
currently being conducted by the U.S. Attorney offices in
Philadelphia and Boston, and by other regulatory agencies including
the Department of Labor, and various state attorneys general -
changes in average wholesale prices ("AWP"), which could reduce
prices and margins, including the impact of a proposed settlement
in a class action case involving First DataBank, an AWP reporting
service - uncertainties regarding the implementation of the
Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, including the financial
impact to us to the extent that we participate in the program on a
risk-bearing basis, uncertainties of client or member losses to
other providers under Medicare Part D, and increased regulatory
risk - uncertainties associated with U.S. Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid's ("CMS") implementation of the Medicare Part B
Competitive Acquisition Program ("CAP"), including the potential
loss of clients/revenues to providers choosing to participate in
the CAP - our ability to maintain growth rates, or to control
operating or capital costs - continued pressure on margins
resulting from client demands for lower prices, enhanced service
offerings and/or higher service levels, and the possible
termination of, or unfavorable modification to, contracts with key
clients or providers - competition in the PBM and specialty
pharmacy industries, and our ability to consummate contract
negotiations with prospective clients, as well as competition from
new competitors offering services that may in whole or in part
replace services that we now provide to our customers - results in
regulatory matters, the adoption of new legislation or regulations
(including increased costs associated with compliance with new laws
and regulations), more aggressive enforcement of existing
legislation or regulations, or a change in the interpretation of
existing legislation or regulations - increased compliance relating
to our contracts with the DoD TRICARE Management Activity and
various state governments and agencies - the possible loss, or
adverse modification of the terms, of relationships with
pharmaceutical manufacturers, or changes in pricing, discount or
other practices of pharmaceutical manufacturers or interruption of
the supply of any pharmaceutical products - the possible loss, or
adverse modification of the terms, of contracts with pharmacies in
our retail pharmacy network - the use and protection of the
intellectual property we use in our business - our leverage and
debt service obligations, including the effect of certain covenants
in our borrowing agreements - our ability to continue to develop
new products, services and delivery channels - general developments
in the health care industry, including the impact of increases in
health care costs, changes in drug utilization and cost patterns
and introductions of new drugs - increase in credit risk relative
to our clients due to adverse economic trends - our ability to
attract and retain qualified personnel - other risks described from
time to time in our filings with the SEC Risks and uncertainties
relating to the proposed transaction that may impact
forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: -
Express Scripts and Caremark may not enter into any definitive
agreement with respect to the proposed transaction - required
regulatory approvals may not be obtained in a timely manner, if at
all - the proposed transaction may not be consummated - the
anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction may not be
realized - the integration of Caremark's operations with Express
Scripts may be materially delayed or may be more costly or
difficult than expected - the proposed transaction would materially
increase leverage and debt service obligations, including the
effect of certain covenants in any new borrowing agreements. We do
not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to
such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events. Important Information Express Scripts has filed a proxy
statement in connection with Caremark's special meeting of
stockholders at which the Caremark stockholders will consider the
CVS Merger Agreement and matters in connection therewith. Express
Scripts stockholders are strongly advised to read that proxy
statement and the accompanying form of GOLD proxy card, as they
contain important information. Express Scripts also intends to file
a proxy statement in connection with Caremark's annual meeting of
stockholders at which the Caremark stockholders will vote on the
election of directors to the board of directors of Caremark.
Express Scripts stockholders are strongly advised to read this
proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card when they become
available, as each will contain important information. Stockholders
may obtain each proxy statement, proxy card and any amendments or
supplements thereto which are or will be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") free of charge at the SEC's website
(http://www.sec.gov/) or by directing a request to MacKenzie
Partners, Inc., at 800-322-2885 or by email at . In addition, this
material is not a substitute for the prospectus/offer to exchange
and registration statement that Express Scripts has filed with the
SEC regarding its exchange offer for all of the outstanding shares
of common stock of Caremark. Investors and security holders are
urged to read these documents, all other applicable documents, and
any amendments or supplements thereto when they become available,
because each contains or will contain important information. Such
documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC's
website (http://www.sec.gov/) or by directing a request to
MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at 800-322-2885 or by email at . Express
Scripts and its directors, executive officers and other employees
may be deemed to be participants in any solicitation of Express
Scripts or Caremark shareholders in connection with the proposed
transaction. Information about Express Scripts' directors and
executive officers is available in Express Scripts' proxy
statement, dated April 18, 2006, filed in connection with its 2006
annual meeting of stockholders. Additional information about the
interests of potential participants is included in the proxy
statement filed in connection with Caremark's special meeting to
approve the proposed merger with CVS and will be included in any
proxy statement regarding the proposed transaction. We have also
filed additional information regarding our solicitation of
stockholders with respect to Caremark's annual meeting on a
Schedule 14A pursuant to Rule 14a-12 on January 9, 2007. About
Express Scripts Express Scripts, Inc. is one of the largest PBM
companies in North America, providing PBM services to over 50
million members. Express Scripts serves thousands of client groups,
including managed-care organizations, insurance carriers,
employers, third-party administrators, public sector, and
union-sponsored benefit plans. Express Scripts provides integrated
PBM services, including network- pharmacy claims processing, home
delivery services, benefit-design consultation, drug-utilization
review, formulary management, disease management, and medical- and
drug-data analysis services. The Company also distributes a full
range of injectable and infusion biopharmaceutical products
directly to patients or their physicians, and provides extensive
cost- management and patient-care services. Express Scripts is
headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. More information can be found
at http://www.express-scripts.com/, which includes expanded
investor information and resources. Investor Contacts: Edward
Stiften, Chief Financial Officer David Myers, Vice President,
Investor Relations (314) 702-7173 Steve Balet / Laurie Connell
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. (212) 929-5500 Media Contacts: Steve
Littlejohn, Vice President, Public Affairs (314) 702-7556 Joele
Frank / Steve Frankel Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher (212)
355-4449 DATASOURCE: Express Scripts, Inc. CONTACT: Investor,
Edward Stiften, Chief Financial Officer, or David Myers, Vice
President, Investor Relations, +1-314-702-7173; or Steve Balet or
Laurie Connell, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., +1-212-929-5500; Media,
Steve Littlejohn, Vice President, Public Affairs, +1-314-702-7556;
or Joele Frank or Steve Frankel, Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer
Katcher, +1-212-355-4449 Web site: http://www.express-scripts.com/
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