Roche Diagnostics DAT Awarded Oklahoma Department of Corrections Contract for Onsite Drug Testing

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (November 27, 2001) - The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has awarded Roche Diagnostics DAT (Drugs of Abuse Testing) the state contract for onsite drug testing. Roche Diagnostics, a leader in drug screening technology with more than 30 years of industry experience, provides corrections officers and law enforcement with state-of-the-art, proven methods for detecting drugs of abuse.

The state Department of Corrections renewed its contract with Roche Diagnostics DAT after an evaluation of several companies' drug testing products. Justin Jones, Deputy Director, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Division of Probation & Parole/Community Sentencing, said, "We did a thorough, detailed evaluation of drug testing products and made the decision to continue to use Roche drug testing devices. Not only has onsite drug testing proven to be an effective tool, Roche has provided a partnership relationship through training, court support, exemplary customer service, and support of Oklahoma state organizations over the last ten years." In August 2000, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Roche onsite drug test was upheld in court.

Randy Cole, Director, Sales & Marketing, Roche Diagnostics DAT, added, "Roche is committed to working with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to add value to their drug testing needs and provide the service and support their probation and parole officers need."

About the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Division of Probation & Parole/Community Sentencing:

The Division of Probation & Parole is responsible for 5 community corrections centers, 6 probation and parole districts and their sub-offices, 1 community corrections district, 15 community work centers, and Interstate Compact. The division is divided into 7 districts. The Community Sentencing division is responsible for assisting communities to develop and implement community corrections.

About Roche Diagnostics:

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-oriented healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins. Roche's products and services address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing well-being and quality of life. Roche sells its products in over 170 countries. Roche's Diagnostics Division supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories worldwide. Roche Diagnostics Corporation, based in Indianapolis, is the North American headquarters for the diagnostics business of the company.

The Diagnostics division is comprised of five business units: Applied Science, Molecular Diagnostics, Centralized Diagnostics, Diabetes Care and Near Patient Testing. The Near Patient Testing business unit produces drugs of abuse and alcohol testing devices, including OnTrak TesTcup®, OnTrak TesTstik®, and OnSite Alcohol®.