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The Apothecary Shops Expands Executive Management Team for Focus on National Growth Strategy

Musil will remain Chief Operating Officer and be responsible for the company's overall strategic growth initiatives. The company's redesigned executive committee will report to him.

Cook spent most of the past three years with Medicine Shoppe International, the largest franchisor of independent community pharmacies in the United States with more than 850 locations and more than 400 international pharmacies in Canada, China, Japan, Indonesia and the Middle East. He will take over day-to-day operations of The Apothecary Shops' 15 current locations in five states and 200 employees.

Founded by Musil in 1996, The Apothecary Shops, ranked No. 2716 on INC Magazine's current list of top 5000 companies, reported revenue growth of 107.3 percent over three years with an increase from $40.1 million annually in 2005 to $83.2 million in 2008.

Musil also named Gary Williams, most recently Vice President of Financial Services for Avnet Technology Solutions North America, as The Apothecary Shops' first Chief Financial Officer. Williams, who was responsible for financial services and capital programs for the $4.28 billion operating group of Avnet, Inc., also will report to Musil.

"These strategic steps and divisions of responsibility better position the company to be a player on a national scale," Musil said. "The breadth of Keith's experience and depth of his background in all phases of pharmacy operations and management will be essential as we aggressively move forward. At the same time, his extensive and intimate knowledge of this business model will drive the development and implementation of new strategies to meet the growing need and increasing demand for specialty pharmacy services and products."

Cook, a pharmacist with more than two decades of executive experience in retail, specialty and hospital pharmacy management, led the growth and development of Medicine Shoppe International's Specialty Care Centers which provide specialized clinical patient care in retail pharmacies in the areas of diabetes, long-term care, specialty pharmacy, immunizations, compounding and home medical equipment.

"The Apothecary Shops is poised to do great things in this industry," Cook said. "To his credit, in looking at a national-growth strategy, John stepped back and was able to assess where the company needed broader industry experience. I'm excited about the opportunities and potential in front of us."

Musil said that, in addition to Cook's significant practical experience in pharmacy operations, "he brings to the table extensive relationships developed over 20 years in this industry."

Before joining Medicine Shoppe International, Cook negotiated, purchased and promoted all over-the-counter pharmacy products as Senior Buyer, Pharmacy OTC for all of Wal-Mart Stores' Sam's Clubs in the United States.

Cook is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business, Executive Management Program for Pharmacy Leaders, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Kansas.

Williams' experience also includes responsibilities as Vice President Sales Operations for Avnet Technology Solutions and as Vice President of Credit and Collections for the group. He also has extensive experience in technology solution development for end users.

In addition to Cook and Williams, The Apothecary Shops executive management team includes Hamilton Baiden, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Nathan Downhour, Pharm.D., Vice President Pharmacy Operations, and Jana Gilsrud, Vice President Human Resources.

For more information about The Apothecary Shops, visit www.theapothecaryshop.com.

About The Apothecary Shops

Based in Phoenix, The Apothecary Shops is the country's foremost chain of independent full-service pharmacies with specialties in fertility, women's health, oncology, ophthalmology, infectious disease, pain management, transplant, sports health, veterinary medicine and compounding. A National Specialty Pharmacy, The Apothecary Shops has provided individualized care and support to patients since 1996. The pharmacists and certified technical staff at all 15 locations are on the cutting edge of the pharmaceutical industry and are trained to handle complex medical conditions. Additionally, the company offers a National Mail-order Pharmacy. For information, visit www.theapothecaryshop.com.

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The Apothecary Shops
Julie Mystrom, 480-391-0346
or
The Kur Carr Group, Inc.
Steve Carr, 602-317-3040