CVS/Samaritan Van Program Celebrates 25 Years of Helping Motorists on the Nation's Highways

    WOONSOCKET, R.I., Feb. 5, 2003; -- On the same day that the Blizzard of 1978 struck the Northeastern United
States, a new emergency response vehicle made its timely debut on the highways
of Providence, Rhode Island.  The vehicle and its driver immediately began to
provide assistance to motorists who were unexpectedly stranded by the sudden
storm.
    CVS/pharmacy launched its CVS/Samaritan Van program in Rhode
Island on February 6, 1978, with a single van providing free roadside
assistance to motorists in need.  In that first year, the Van logged 53,000
miles, responded to 6,000 incidents and assisted 4,700 people.
    Twenty-five years later, in 2003, the CVS/Samaritan Vans, patrolling
highways in 9 major markets, have traveled a total of more than 7 million
"help-miles" while responding to 740,000 incidents and assisting more than
800,000 people.  The distinctive white vans with the red "CVS" logo have
become a welcome and familiar site to commuters in Boston, Charlotte,
Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Providence and
Washington, D.C.
    "For 25 years, since the infamous Blizzard of '78, the CVS/Samaritan Van
program has provided us with a unique opportunity to make a difference in the
community by helping to keep people safe on our nation's highways," said Jack
Kramer, Senior Vice President at CVS/pharmacy.  "As the program has grown from
a single van in one city to a fleet of vehicles in 9 CVS markets, we are very
proud of the job our CVS/Samaritan Van drivers do in protecting our
communities."
    CVS/Samaritan Van drivers, who are trained mechanics, EMTs and crisis
counselors rolled into one, are capable of making numerous on-site repairs,
administering medical help, or using their communications equipment to summon
police, rescue vehicles or tow trucks.  All repairs, supplies and aid they
provide are free-of-charge.  Drivers undergo an intensive training program
that includes instruction in hazardous material response, driver courtesy,
emergency response/accident management, traffic reporting, and many other
relevant procedures.
    Public response to the CVS/Samaritan Vans is overwhelming.  CVS receives
over 6,000 letters and e-mails of thanks annually from people who have been
assisted by the program.

    Sample comments from motorists assisted by CVS/Samaritan Vans:
    "The CVS/Samaritan was very helpful and kept checking on us to make sure
we got our tow ...  (When it) failed to come, he called another tow, took my
family to their destination, and then dropped me off at the train station."
    "I was cruising along in the morning rush hour when I had a flat.  While
contemplating what I should do, I looked up and saw the CVS/Samaritan Van.
What luck!  Two great guys had the tire changed in no time.  I immediately
went out and bought a lottery ticket."
    "I am truly indebted to your CVS/Samaritan program.  My company truck ran
out of gas while I was on my way to a job.  If your van had not stopped to
help, I would have missed my appointment."
    "What a lifesaver my sixteen-year-old daughter had a flat tire on the
highway and your CVS/Samaritan was there within minutes to help her."
    "The Samaritan program is wonderful, I was stuck on the inter belt bridge
with a ladder under my car.  Your CVS van was able to help and get me going
again quickly and efficiently."
    "I would like to thank your CVS/Samaritan for being so polite to me when
my car broke down.  I was scared and he made the whole terrible event safer.
THANK YOU."

    Over the course of 25 years, the CVS Samaritan Van program has received
numerous awards and recognition, including Traffic Safety Awards from the
National Safety Council and the Massachusetts Safety Council; the Outstanding
Service Award from the American Red Cross; the Innovative Highway Finance
Award for Partnerships from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the
Federal Highway Authority; the Distinguished Contribution Award from the
National Association of Counties; the Governors Award for Traffic Safety from
the State of New York; and Certificates of Appreciation from the State Police
in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.
    The CVS/Samaritan Van program currently operates in the following
locations:
    -- Boston, MA - Rt. 128 from Rt. 37 to Rt. 2; I-93 from Rt. 128 to Rt. 1
    -- Charlotte, NC - I-77 from the SC state line to intersections of I-77/I-
       85 & I-277
    -- Chicago, IL - I-290/Rt. 53 to I-294 interchange
    -- Cincinnati, OH - I-275, Winton Rd. to Montgomery Rd.; I-71 & I-75 from
       KY state line to I-275
    -- Cleveland, OH - I-71, Snow Rd. to I-90 E; I-90, 25th St. to Marginal
       Rd.
    -- Detroit, MI - I-75 from Exit 72 to I-94; I-94 from I-75 to Detroit
       Metro Airport; I-696 from Exit 1 to Exit 29
    -- Indianapolis, IN - I-465 to Keystone Ave.
    -- Providence, RI - I-95 from MA state line to Rt. 117; I-195 to MA state
       line
    -- Washington, D.C. - I-395 from I-95 in VA to I-295 in D.C.

    The CVS/Samaritan Van program is operated on behalf of CVS/pharmacy by
Samaritania, Inc., located in Franklin, Massachusetts.

    CVS is America's #1 pharmacy, dispensing prescriptions in more stores than
any other retailer.  With annual revenues that exceed $24 billion, CVS has
created innovative approaches to serve the healthcare needs of all of its
customers through more than 4,000 CVS/pharmacy stores; CVS ProCare, its
specialty pharmacy business; CVS.com, its online pharmacy; and PharmaCare, its
pharmacy benefit management company.  General information about CVS is
available through the Investor Relations portion of the Company's website, at
http://www.CVS.com.