AmerisourceBergen Corporation, the largest pharmaceutical services company in the US dedicated solely to the pharmaceutical supply channel, announced that it has agreed to extend its pharmaceutical distribution contract with AdvancePCS for six months to September 30, 2004. The extension begins April 1, 2004 and can be terminated with 90 days notice.

Under the contract, AmerisourceBergen services AdvancePCS mail order facilities. The AdvancePCS contract represented more than 6 per cent of AmerisourceBergen's pharmaceutical distribution operating revenue in the December quarter of 2003.

AmerisourceBergen said its diluted earnings per share expectations for fiscal year 2004, which ends September 30, 2004, remain unchanged at $4.10 to $4.20, excluding special items.