ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS RECEIVES TWO INDUSTRY AWARDS FOR ITS INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS

National Association of Chain Drug Stores and Canon Communications recognizes Roche's advancements in the field of diabetes

Indianapolis, Indiana - August 14, 2002 - The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and Canon Communications LLC awarded Roche Diagnostics for the best product in home healthcare and medical design for its integrated blood glucose monitoring system - the Accu-Chek Compact™ System. The Accu-Chek Compact System integrates multiple features into a single system. The Accu-Chek Compact System is the only system available that offers drum technology, which eliminates the need to handle test strips and code keys.

"We are especially excited about receiving these two awards for the Accu-Chek Compact System because it is one of the first truly 'integrated' blood glucose monitoring systems in the market," commented Don Dumoulin, Vice President of marketing for Roche Diagnostics Diabetes Care. "For more than 25 years, Roche has developed innovative products designed to meet customers' needs. We are very proud that the Accu-Chek Compact System was selected to win both of these awards because it carries on our tradition of providing innovative systems and solutions that make living with diabetes easier."

NACDS Award
The Accu-Chek Compact System was named the "best product" in the Home Health Care Product Category at the National Association of Chain Drug Store's Marketplace Conference in San Diego.


The NACDS is comprised of nearly 200 chain community pharmacy companies, which is the largest component of pharmacy practice with over 100,000 pharmacists.

Medical Design Excellence Award
Roche Diagnostics was also named a gold winner at the Medical Design Excellence Awards Competition, sponsored by Canon Communications LLC, during the Medical Design and Manufacturing East (MDEA) 2002 Conference and Exposition in New York City. This award recognizes products for innovation, design and engineering excellence, end-user and patient benefits, and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing and the healthcare industry.

MDEA is the only awards program that exclusively recognizes contributions and advances in the design of medical products.

About Roche Diagnostics Diabetes Care
Roche Diagnostics, a leader in diabetes care, continues to focus on meeting the needs of people with diabetes through its research, technologies, services, and the Accu-ChekÒ family of products. For more information about the Accu-Chek Compact System and other Accu-Chek products and services, visit www.accu-chek.com or call Accu-ChekSM Customer Care at 1-800-858-8072.

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's Diagnostics Division, the world leader in in vitro diagnostics with a uniquely broad product portfolio, 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. Roche Diagnostics' website is located at www.roche-diagnostics.com.

Accu-Chek and Accu-Chek Compact are trademarks of a Member of the Roche Group.
©2002 Roche Diagnostics