IMS HEALTH Unveils Internet Portal; New Internet-based Information Environment for Pharmaceutical Companies to Access All IMS HEALTH Products and Services

Business Wire, March 22, 1999

LONDON--(HealthWire)--March 22, 1999--IMS HEALTH (NYSE:RX) today demonstrated its prototype Internet portal at a meeting with analysts in New York City. The portal, called "I2" (I-squared) is designed for IMS HEALTH's global pharmaceutical company customers and will enable real-time access to all IMS HEALTH information products and services, while providing a tailored interface for decision-makers in the pharmaceutical industry. IMS HEALTH is the world's leading provider of information solutions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

"The Internet is a transforming technology for our business," said Victoria R. Fash, chief executive officer. "Insights delivered to our customers via traditional media, can now be delivered in the blink of an eye, in new formats which satisfy the increasingly dynamic information needs of today's global pharmaceutical industry."

The "I2" prototype is a complete Internet information environment for pharmaceutical industry professionals, and was developed with both researchers and non-researchers in mind, including the many global pharmaceutical industry professionals who need fast, contextual information to make critical business decisions. It provides a consistent user interface which is individually configured by each user, and tailored with hot links to IMS HEALTH databases and services. Users can access products and services which analyze and deliver business insights, streaming news about the pharmaceutical industry itself in text, audio and video, and communications over the Internet. Importantly, "I2" has the capability to integrate a pharmaceutical company's own information resources into the user's customized interface.

"I2" will be available in different language versions, including French, German and Italian. Content reflecting the local market conditions will also be provided through national "I2" versions. IMS HEALTH said that "I2" would be delivered in 4Q 1999.

IMS HEALTH is the world's leading provider of information solutions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. With more than $1.2 billion in 1998 revenue, IMS HEALTH operates in over 90 countries. IMS HEALTH is the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer information partner, with over 40 years' experience in the industry. Key products and services integral to customer day-to-day operations include: market research for prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products; sales management information to optimize sales force productivity; technology enabled selling solutions for sales and marketing decision-making; and technology systems and information services that support managed care organizations. Additional information and previous press releases are available at IMS HEALTH's web site: http://www.imshealth.com.