ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS BRINGS ACCU-CHEK™ DIABETES ASSISTANTSM PROGRAM ONLINE

Interactive Diabetes Management Tool Links People to Their Health Information 24/7

indianapolis, Indiana - August 19, 2002 - Roche Diagnostics recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its new, Web-based diabetes management program, the Accu-Chek Diabetes Assistant program. The Accu-Chek Diabetes Assistant program is a free, interactive program designed to help people with diabetes actively participate in and better understand and manage their disease. The program allows users to monitor and track changes in their blood glucose levels over time and help them and their healthcare providers tailor disease management regimens based on the data. Because the program is online at www.accu-chek.com, users can access their data from anywhere they can access the Web.

"The Accu-Chek Diabetes Assistant program helps people with diabetes and their healthcare providers make real-life treatment decisions based on timely, accurate, and actionable information," said Don Dumoulin, vice president of Diabetes Care Marketing for Roche Diagnostics.

The Accu-Chek Diabetes Assistant program securely stores blood glucose data and information and depicts it in graph and chart formats. Users begin by setting health maintenance goals based on input from their physicians, which include target blood glucose levels, diet, exercise, and other factors. Individuals can enter their readings manually or upload their data directly into their computers and into the Web-based program using Accu-Chek® Advantage® and Accu-Chek Complete®, which both use cables to upload data or Accu-Chek Active® and Accu-Chek Compact™ which use infrared technology to beam information directly into their computer. Additionally, users can e-mail the data collected to their healthcare providers for assessment, enabling them to receive immediate feedback on treatment options, if necessary.

The Accu-Chek Diabetes Assistant program was developed in conjunction with LifeMasters® Supported SelfCare, Inc., which offers management services for diseases, such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, and deliver interventions based on disease state and severity level.

For more information about the Accu-Chek Diabetes Assistant program or for technical support, please call Accu-Chek Customer CareSM 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, Diabetes Assistant, Advantage, Complete, Accu-Chek Active, and Accu-Chek Compact are trademarks of a Member of the Roche Group.

All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.

©2002 Roche Diagnostics. All rights reserved.