IVP Pharmaceutical Care, Inc.'s President/CEO
Named Finalist for Ernst & Young 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Dallas, TX - Tuesday, August 24, 1999/PRNewswire/ - For two consecutive years (1998 and 1999) IVP Pharmaceutical Care, Inc.'s President and CEO Von L. Best has been named as a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Ernst & Young, an international accounting firm, annually recognizes outstanding entrepreneurial achievement for leading a company's growth, profitability and innovation.

Since joining IVP, a small, struggling pharmaceutical company in 1993, Best helped revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry by initiating a system which provides patient education, direct delivery, reimbursement assistance, and single source ordering. Best has successfully led IVP to profitability while sustaining an annual sales growth of more than 80% for the last three years. Today, this Carrollton-based specialty pharmacy employs 115 people and serves more than 3,000 patients a month.

After working in the hospital setting for 5 years, Mr. Best joined a national home health care company and was promoted to Director of Healthcare Services for their Central California division. His skills in healthcare management and sales led to his recruitment as VP of Sales for startup Seton Financial, Inc. where annual sales grew from approximately $250,000 to more than $5 million during his 7-year tenure.

In April 1993, Best joined IVP as VP of Business Development and in 1995 he was appointed President and CEO by the governing board. His vision for IVP recognized both changing trends in managed care and increased competition from national chain drugstores. Through various affiliations with doctors and clinics, IVP began to specialize in the monthly supply of specialty drugs to patients with unique needs, educating them in the preparation, mixing and administration of their medication.

Infertility was the first disease-state specialization program implemented under this innovative system. IVP received its first infertility patient referral and filled its first order in January 1994. Now, IVP currently serves 10% of the infertility population. In addition, IVP serves multiple sclerosis and arthritic patients.

About IVPCARE

IVPCARE is the largest privately held national specialty pharmacy offering clinical services and distribution of pharmaceuticals developed for chronic therapeutic indications.  IVPCARE provides comprehensive programs for patients, physicians, payors and pharmaceutical manufacturers for a growing number of disease states including hepatitis C, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease and others.  Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, IVPCARE has distribution facilities there, as well as in Torrance, Calif., St. Louis, Mo., and Wilmington, Mass.