Hughes Network Systems and RxMarketplace.com are forming a new company, RxNetwork, that plans to bring broadband, high speed satellite service to the nation's pharmacies. Participating stores will be eligible to receive free computer equipment with advanced Internet connectivity.

Through RxMarketplace.com, pharmacies can order pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and other products direct from manufacturers via the Internet. Pharmacies that enroll in RxMarketplace.com will receive an exclusive technology package including "always on" broadband connectivity that does not require a phone line.

The high-speed connectivity provided through Hughes' DirecWay satellite networking technology will also allow RxMarketplace.com to offer pharmacists many special services such as real-time sales opportunities for short-dated inventory, access to comprehensive pharmaceutical industry information, credit card and insurance verification and e-mail.

"Together with Hughes, we have created a turnkey program with the most advanced, easy-to-use technology available to allow pharmacists to order products, improve profitability and handle business transactions more efficiently over the Internet," said Paul Caracciolo, president of RxMarketplace.com. "This system is user friendly and always available. It offers the speed and reliability that pharmacists need to make the Internet an effective tool for purchasing and other business activities."

The satellite technology is used to distribute electronic information to a large group of geographically dispersed users from one central point. This makes it the ideal channel for a broad range of business communications.

"Our technology is the ideal solution for many of the problems pharmacists may have in using the Internet -- including multiple phone lines, connection delays and much more. For product purchasing, credit and insurance approvals, email and many other needs, this system is ideal," said Bahram Pourmand, executive vice president and general manager of Hughes' Enterprise Division.

Hughes Network Systems of Germantown, Md., is a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp. and is a leading supplier of broadband satellite and wireless products, services and networks. The company is a leader in the manufacture of very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite networks with more than 300,000 VSATs installed worldwide. Hughes is one of the largest manufacturers of DirectTV home satellite television systems. The company's Web site is located at http://www.hns.com.

RxMarketplace.com, founded in 1999 with headquarters in Louisville, Colo., provides direct access to purchasing opportunities and related business services via the Internet for pharmacies and manufacturers. Through RxMarketplace.com, pharmacists have access to manufacturer-direct pricing, wider choices in product availability, and more control over drug purchases, while manufacturers have a new and direct sales and information link to their pharmacy customers.

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