14 - The Jean Coutu Group
(PJC), Inc.
Humana Medicare beneficiaries will have the choice of getting a 90-day
supply of their prescription medications at Brooks Eckerd drugstores. This Preferred Pharmacy Network
relationship with Brooks Eckerd provides another opportunity for us to expand
our clinical program offerings and provide yet another avenue for giving our
Medicare members accessible , knowledgeable pharmaceutical assistance.2 million from the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality (AHRQ). 1, 2006 and is evaluating e-prescribing
standards in the context of long-term care facilities and related workflow. A not-for-profit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest
health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.

97 older

Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy selected as Preferred Partner by Humana for its Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans

"Looking back over the past months, as we have prepared Brooks Eckerd
Pharmacy to support United States' Seniors and Caregivers for the launch of
the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit program, it was evident that not only
did Humana have an extremely positive approach toward drug plan solutions, but
that there were in fact a number of very positive synergies between our
organizations", said Michel Coutu, President + CEO of PJC USA.

medicines evaluate

Trades under the symbol (TSX): PJC. "Most importantly, it will enhance patient safety for our
members in the use of prescription drugs.

elderly significantly

In addition, Medicare members referred to Brooks Eckerd drugstores
through the Medication Therapy Management Program will have the opportunity to
have their drug regimens reviewed by the pharmacist. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements contained in this press release may
constitute "forward-looking statements " within the meaning of the U.

regimens evaluate

About The Jean Coutu Group

The Jean Coutu Group (PJC), Inc. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements
involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause the actual results , performance or achievements of the Company
to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Four skilled nursing facilities are the object of the study.

significantly geriatric

E-prescribing proposes to improve patient safety by checking prior
prescription medication usage, reducing unnecessary therapies and making
medication history available across healthcare organizations.

healthcentral older

ss indicates

The Company
undertakes no obligation to update any forward -looking statements contained in
this press release.

utilizes medicines

SV.

indicates medication

"Many Medicare beneficiaries have complex drug regimens that require a
tremendous investment in health literacy.SV. The Company and its combined network of 2,171
corporate and affiliated drugstores (under the banners of Brooks and Eckerd,
PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique and PJC Sante Beaute) employ more than 60,000
people. Team will help develop standards in long-term care

EAGAN, Minn. Using a Web-based software, the team will pilot e-prescribing
with the use of electronic communication between facilities, pharmacies and
physicians. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee
of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.

indicates 97

The Jean Coutu Group's United States operations employ over 46,000
persons and comprise 1,850 corporate owned stores located in 18 states of the
Northeastern, mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States.6 million members in Minnesota and
nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated
companies. Go to
http: //www.bluecrossmn.

Resources for safe medication use in the elderly population.

This is not an area to promote medicines or supplements.

halted questioning

To test the standards, the implementation of e-prescribing will be
in three phases.
The team of providers, pharmacies and technology services joined forces to
successfully pilot this program, and include: Benedictine Health Systems,
Preferred Choice Pharmacy, RNA EagleT, RxHub, Prime Therapeutics LLC,
Minnesota Department of Health and Achieve Healthcare Technology.

utilizes elderly

A) is the fourth largest
drugstore chain in North America and the second largest in both the eastern
United States and Canada. ., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Minnesota, with a team of long-term care organizations and software vendors,
was recently awarded $1.

questioning incomes

"As one of Humana's preferred partners, we will collaborate on its
Medication Therapy Management Program to achieve greater medication compliance
and appropriate utilization of medications. The Jean Coutu
Group's Canadian operations and drugstores affiliated to its network employ
over 14,000 people and comprise 321 PJC Jean Coutu franchised stores in
Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario. Comparison studies will begin immediately upon completion of
the project and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will
receive a full report on the findings.

halted 127

"A common
vision on making this program a success enabled this partnership".

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the
nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately
7 million medical members located primarily in 15 states and Puerto Rico.

ss incomes

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the U. They represent
typical long-term care settings and have a high usage of Medicare and
Medicaid.

indicates accomplished

"This initiative provides a unique opportunity for health care
organizations in our community to work in a collaborative setting to not only
validate proposed e-prescribing standards, but also improve supporting
business processes," said Fred Dickson , Blue Cross vice president and chief
information officer.com to learn more about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Minnesota.

misuse regimens

("PJC
USA" or "the Company" which operates under the name Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy ),
will be part of Humana's Preferred Pharmacy Network for members enrolled in
its Medicare Advantage plans and its new Medicare Part D prescription drug
plans as of January 1, 2006. Brooks
Eckerd pharmacists will also assist in educating Medicare beneficiaries
enrolled in Humana's plans about Maximize Your Benefit program which provides
education about lower cost alternative medications.

This ties very well to our
corporate vision of continuing to evolve the role of our pharmacists to
provide high quality patient care" explained Dan Haron, Senior Vice President
of Pharmacy, PJC USA. Today,
the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads
to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified
customer portfolio.S. The
words "looking forward," "looking ahead," "believe(s)," "should," "may,"
"expect(s)," "anticipate(s)," "likely," "opportunity," and similar
expressions, among others, identify forward-looking statements .

utilizes meds

geriatric 128

" said
William Fleming, PharmD, Humana's Vice President of Pharmacy and Clinical
Integration .S."
The 12-month study began Jan.

healthcentral regimens

Humana is one of United States' largest health
benefits companies offering a diversified portfolio of health insurance
products and related services.

medication halted

, the fourth largest drugstore chain in North America, announced
that its wholly owned subsidiary, The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) USA, Inc. Blue Cross
became involved because of a strong interest in the value of quality care,
particularly in the long-term care setting.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St.

regimens pharmacist

Over its 44-year history, Humana
has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs.

128 safely

A

LONGUEUIL, QC, Sept. (TSX: PJC.
Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and related
services - through traditional and consumer-choice plans - to employer groups,
government-sponsored plans, and individuals.

ss halted

He will provide health
education to the individual member and, if needed, will talk with his/her
physician about potential issues with the member's drug regimen.

Blue Cross Awarded $1.2 Million Grant to Pilot E-Prescribing Software

Paul
suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and
continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more
economical and timely availability of health services for the people of
Minnesota.