Quest Diagnostics Incorporated , the nation's leading provider of diagnostic laboratory testing, information and services, announced today that it has begun to offer laboratory testing services directly to consumers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area through several CVS pharmacy locations. Shoppers will be able to check their cholesterol, screen for specific medical conditions, and receive other valuable health testing information-all through their local CVS store.
CVS customers in Tampa and St. Petersburg will be able to select from a menu of 12 health tests, including cholesterol, diabetes, and sexually transmitted diseases, without first having to visit their personal physician. QuesTest™ services are performed by the same Quest Diagnostics laboratories that physicians and hospitals rely on for high quality, accurate testing services. QuesTest consumers are encouraged to share results of laboratory health testing services with their personal physician to help guide health and wellness decisions.
"The QuesTest service taps directly into an important megatrend that's impacting the health care world -- more empowered consumers choosing to take control over their health," said Hughes R. Bakewell, Jr., Vice President Consumer Health, Quest Diagnostics. "Our research indicates that there are many reasons why people will purchase QuesTest services. Some customers will be attracted to how quickly they can get in and out of a store and receive their test results, compared with the time required to schedule an appointment with their doctor to access these important indicators of their health. Many individuals will want testing performed more frequently than their insurance company will cover. Others may want the privacy and confidentiality that QuesTest services will provide."
Customers may purchase QuesTest services at any of ten CVS stores in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. The stores are conveniently located at the following addresses:
* 715 West Brandon Boulevard, Brandon, FL 33511 * 2200 Gulf to Bay Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33765 * 975 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34683 * 7101 Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 * 845 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 * 2200 34th Street, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 * 4001 East Busch Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612 * 813 West Bearss, Tampa, FL 33613 * 2911 East Fowler, Tampa, FL 33612 * 625 West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33603
In addition, customers may visit Quest Diagnostics' consumer health web site at http://www.questest.com/ to access in-depth information on all aspects of its laboratory health testing services and find the full list of QuesTest services locations, as well as the complete test menu with prices. The web site enables customers to register for QuesTest services, securely obtain their confidential test results online, and link to popular health-oriented web sites. For more information about QuesTest services, consumers are also invited to call the company toll-free at 1-877-QUESTEST.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 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: http://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 the outcome to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are described in the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 2001 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
CONTACT: Media - Gary Samuels, +1-201-393-5700, or Jennifer Somers,
+1-201-393-5454, or Investors - Laure Park, +1-201-393-5030, all of Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated
Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/