PRESS RELEASE Back to Press Releases

Longs Drug Stores to Deploy Systems Xcellence Solution Throughout Chain of Retail Locations

HX-Indicate Provides In-Store Drug Utilization Evaluation Capability Helps Centralize Drug Maintenance Providing Information Throughout the Organization

MILTON, Ontario (September 20, 2000) -- Systems Xcellence Inc., (TSE: SXC) announced today that Longs Drug Stores Corporation (NYSE:LDG) has recently reached a key milestone in the implementation of Systems Xcellence's HX-Indicate product, and will deploy the system across its chain of stores.

Systems Xcellence has been working with Longs Drugs to provide and modify its HX-Indicate product, a standalone drug utilization evaluation engine which provides an extensive list of drug interaction and utilization checks. The system allows pharmacists to quickly check how a prescription provided to a customer will interact with other drugs and therapies currently being used by that patient. As part of an ongoing plan Longs will deploy HX-Indicate in each of its more than 400 retail drug store locations.

HX-Indicate will provide added value to Longs customers and its enhanced in-store systems.

As part of its Head Office initiative, Longs has also adopted the database design and technology along with the Graphical User Interface (GUI) portions of Systems Xcellence's Pharmacy Benefits System (HX-PBS), for centralized drug management and maintenance. Accurate drug information and distribution is essential to maintain Longs high profile as a leader of drug store services in the USA. The Systems Xcellence solution forms a key component of Longs Drug Stores larger initiative, to offer new services through its in-pharmacy application system.

"This milestone is the culmination of a strong team effort on the part of Longs Drug Stores and Systems Xcellence. The development and ongoing deployment of HX-Indicate, and the use of other components of our core technology, is consistent with our strategy to modularize our product offerings and apply them in innovative solutions for our customers, thereby expanding our addressable market," stated Gordon Glenn, President and CEO of Systems Xcellence.

About Longs Drug Stores Corporation:

Longs Drug Stores Corporation (NYSE:LDG) is one of the most successful drug store chains in North America. Founded in 1938, by brothers Joe and Tom Long, the company has been held since 1961 and traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1971, operating over 400 stores in California, Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Colorado and Oregon. Longs unique strategy includes competencies in the key categories of pharmacy, over the counter medications, photo, cosmetics, as well as other convenience offerings. Longs' website blends consumer services with extensive health and wellness information. Longs' community health screening schedules, on-line prescription filling and pharmacist access, coupons, and the latest company news and investor information can be found on the Longs web site located on the Internet at www.longs.com.

Systems Xcellence is headquartered in Milton, Ontario, and provides advanced online transaction processing solutions for the healthcare benefits management industry. The Company combines robust software products, business expertise, and services to deliver superior solutions to the ever-changing managed care sector. The Company's shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SXC.