McKesson To Implement Pharmacy Management System at Safeway to Improve Efficiency and Medication Safety

SAN FRANCISCO– March 30, 2009 – McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) today announced that Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) will deploy McKesson’s next generation pharmacy management suite, EnterpriseRx, to all of its U.S.-based pharmacies. The EnterpriseRx™ system will help strengthen Safeway’s leadership in medication safety and exceptional customer service. It will also allow Safeway to manage demand and resources more efficiently and effectively across its enterprise to further optimize its pharmacy operations and results. McKesson Pharmacy Systems’ EnterpriseRx is a fully integrated and centrally hosted (SAAS) pharmacy management software solution.

 “For many years, McKesson and Safeway have worked together to improve the way individuals receive pharmacy care,” said Stanton McComb, President of McKesson Pharmacy Systems.  “We could not be more pleased to further extend that partnership with EnterpriseRx.  We are especially proud to have the chance to work with a leader like Safeway and we appreciate the importance they are placing on healthcare by making such an investment in this economic environment.”

MPS is enjoying excellent market momentum for EnterpriseRx; since its beta release in the fall of 2006, EnterpriseRx has grown rapidly.  With the new Safeway engagement, MPS becomes the leading provider of pharmacy systems to the chain market.  Today over 30 clients, representing more than 3000 retail and health system pharmacies, have selected EnterpriseRx as their software system of choice.   

About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 18th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson is the longest-operating company in healthcare today, marking 175 years of continuous operations in 2008. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.

About McKesson Pharmacy Systems
A subsidiary of the McKesson Corporation, our leading-edge technology solves the needs of community, chain, hospital, clinic, and long-term care pharmacies in all 50 states.  Our comprehensive portfolio of flexible software solutions positively impacts nearly every pharmacy operation and provides superior performance, functionality, and world-class support.  To find out more information about McKesson Pharmacy Systems integrated portfolio of products and services please contact us at www.pharmacysystems.mckesson.com.

About Safeway 
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,739 stores in the United States and western Canada. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.