Press Release Details

Quest Diagnostics and Stop & Shop Partner to Offer QuesTest(TM) Consumer Health Testing Services in Connecticut

06/05/2003

TETERBORO, N.J. and QUINCY, Mass., Jun 5, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) and the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company today launched QuesTest(TM) consumer health testing services in more than 60 Stop & Shop Pharmacies throughout Connecticut. QuesTest(TM) health testing is a revolutionary concept in consumer-driven health care that now offers Stop & Shop customers an important new way to take charge of their health through commonly ordered screening tests that they choose for themselves. QuesTest(TM) lab services help answer a broad need for consumers to obtain baseline personal health information about themselves. QuesTest(TM) lab services are a service of Quest Diagnostics, the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services.

Stop & Shop customers can walk into any Stop & Shop Pharmacy in Connecticut and select QuesTest(TM) lab service cards from a menu of 12 popular health-screening tests. Once purchased, the service cards must be registered by phone or through a secure website, enabling customers to visit any of Quest Diagnostics' 71 Patient Service Centers that are conveniently located throughout Connecticut to have their specimens collected. No appointment is necessary. Testing is performed at Quest Diagnostics' full-service regional laboratory in Wallingford, which physicians and medical centers throughout the state rely on for quality laboratory testing.

QuesTest(TM) customers can choose from either of two ways to obtain their own test results -- both of which are private and confidential. QuesTest results are provided directly to customers in as little as 48 hours on-line or approximately five days by mail.

Test reports provide explanations that are easy for consumers to understand, and all materials emphasize that testing information is best understood in the context of a doctor-patient relationship. If test results indicate a serious or life threatening condition, an independent physician licensed in Connecticut will notify the customer immediately and recommend seeking medical treatment.

Prices for QuesTest(TM) lab services vary by test. In general, QuesTest(TM) services range in price from as low as $40 for some single tests, such as the Heart Risk Panel, the Thyroid Health Screen and the Liver Health Screen up to $115 for the most comprehensive health profiles, which include the Women's Health Profile and the Men's Health Profile.

"Stop & Shop is committed to helping our customers find better ways to improve and maintain their health," commented John Fegan, Vice President of pharmacy for Stop & Shop. "By providing access to QuesTest(TM) consumer health testing services in our Connecticut pharmacies, we are providing a convenient way to help our customers obtain important information about their health."

"QuesTest(TM) consumer lab testing services tap directly into the megatrend that's hitting the health care world -- more empowered consumers choosing to take control over their own health, just like they've taken charge of their own personal finances," said Kate Langevin, Director of Consumer Health for Quest Diagnostics. "We are excited to offer this service to Stop & Shop customers in Connecticut."

Ms. Langevin added: "Our research indicates that there are a whole variety of reasons that people will purchase QuesTest(TM) services. Some will be attracted to how conveniently and quickly they can get their results. Many individuals will want testing done more frequently than their insurance company will cover. Others want to prepare for their annual visit to the doctor's office."

Customers may purchase QuesTest(TM) lab services at any of the following Stop & Shop pharmacies conveniently located at the following addresses:

100 Division Street, Ansonia, CT 06401
22 Leetes Island Road, Branford, CT 06405
2600 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606
4531 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06602
781 Pine Street, Bristol, CT 06010
657 Farmington Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010
215 E. Main Street, Clinton, CT 06413
99 Linwood Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415
35 Shunpike Road, Cromwell, CT 06416
72 New Town Road, Danbury, CT 06810
940 Silver Lane, East, Hartford, CT 06108
370 Hemingway Ave., E. Haven, CT 06512
54 Hazard Avenue, Enfield, CT 06082
1160 King's Hwy Cutoff, Fairfield, CT 06430
55 Oak Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033
215 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury, CT 06033
120 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, CT 06035
220 Route 12, Groton, CT 06340
2335 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514
1245 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514
150 New Park Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
136 Samson Rock Drive, Madison, CT 06443
286 Broad Street, Manchester, CT 06040
485 Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450
416 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
855 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, CT 06443
42 East Town Road, Milford, CT 06460
727 Rubber Av., Mt. View Plaza, Naugatuck, CT 06770
1309 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06053
112 Amity Rd, Amity Plaza, New Haven CT 06525
180 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776
44 Fenn Road, Newington, CT 06111
228 S. Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
79 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT 06473
385 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06856
380 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06850
42 Town Street, Norwich, CT 06360
Rte 1 & Elm St., Old Saybrook, CT 06475
259 Bull Hill Lane, Orange, CT 06477
15 Franklin Street, Seymour, CT 06762
Bridgeport Ave, Shelton, CT 06484
498 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, CT 06070
505 N. Main Street, Southington, CT 06489
2200 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT 06905
200 E. Main Street, Stratford, CT 06497
211 High Street, Torrington, CT 06790
100 Quality Street, Trumbull, CT 06611
10 Pitkin Road, Vernon, CT 06066
Rte 5 & N. Colony Road, Wallingford, CT 06492
410 Readville Drive, Waterbury, CT 06705
920 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, CT 06705
240 Chase Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06704
117 Boston Post Road, Waterford, CT 06385
763 Straits Turnpike, Watertown, CT 06795
44 Lake Ave. Extension, West Danbury, CT 06810
1790 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880
1380 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT 06109
680 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield, CT 06109
1391 Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226
1095 Kennedy Road, Windsor, CT 06095
200 New Hartford Road, Winsted, CT 06098

In addition, consumers are encouraged to visit the QuesTest(TM) web site at www.questest.com to access in-depth information on all aspects of health testing; register for QuesTest(TM) services purchased; securely obtain their confidential test results online; and find the full list of Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center locations in Connecticut, as well as the complete test menu. For more information about QuesTest(TM) lab services, consumers also are invited to visit the Stop & Shop Pharmacist or to call QuesTest(TM) toll-free at 1-877-QUESTEST (783-7837).

About Stop & Shop

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, based in Quincy, Massachusetts, employs more than 57,000 associates and operates 335 stores with 244 pharmacies throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Additional company information is located at www.stopandshop.com.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the provider of QuesTest(TM) consumer health testing services, is the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable physicians, hospitals, managed care organizations and other healthcare professionals to make decisions to improve health. The company offers patients and physicians the broadest access to diagnostic laboratory services through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers. Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based medical testing, and empowers healthcare organizations and clinicians with state-of-the-art connectivity solutions that improve practice management. Additional company information can be found on the Internet at: www.questdiagnostics.com.

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, unanticipated expenditures, changing relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners, conditions of the economy and other factors described in the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 2002 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated; Stop & Shop Supermarket Company

Laure Park (Investors), +1-201-393-5030, Jennifer Somers
(Media), +1-201-393-5700, both of Quest Diagnostics; Kelly O'Connor (Media) of
Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, +1-617-770-6037

http://www.questest.com