Boston, MA, December 4, 2003- Exergen Corporation, the world's leading innovator of infrared medical thermometers, announced its new promotion with Walgreens, the nation's leading pharmacy chain, to replace ear thermometers with Exergen's state-of-the-art Temporal Artery Thermometers. A fast, accurate, non-invasive method of taking temperatures by gently scanning the forehead over the temporal artery, studies at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School have proven that Exergen's temporal artery thermometer is more accurate than ear thermometry and more accurate than rectal thermometer in responding to change in fever.

"Particularly due to the anticipated severity of the flu this season, accurate and gentle non-invasive temperatures are important. Since 90% of all children visit the doctor because of an ear infection by age 7, and sometimes scream at the sight of an ear thermometer, it is important to introduce this gentle new technology to primary care physicians. We are pleased that Walgreens has joined us in helping provide this same technology for consumers at home through their over 4000 drug stores." according to Dr. Francesco Pompei, Exergen's president.

Exergen, through its distribution partners McKesson, Cardinal Healthcare, Physicians Sales and Service, and other leading medical suppliers, is offering a special promotional package to physician offices and clinics which includes a professional model TemporalScanner and a home model ComfortScanner their patients can purchase at Walgreens. The package also includes educational pamphlets with rebate coupons for consumers, and a $50 rebate coupon for retiring an ear thermometer at the office or clinic.

Exergen's temporal artery thermometers have been proven at least as accurate as rectal measurement and interchangeable with an esophageal probe by studies at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto; as accurate as a pulmonary artery catheter by a study at the Massachusetts General Hospital; found to be "a rapid, noninvasive screening tool for detection of rectal fever" by a study by physicians at Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine; and found to be indispensable for pediatric practice use in a recent 2300 patient study by Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron. Further descriptions and clinical information are available from Exergen's Medical Division. For further information on the TAT2000C Home Model see Exergen's Consumer Information Center.

Exergen Corporation is world leader in the science and technology of non-invasive thermometry systems. Developed by a team led by Dr. Pompei, who also holds an appointment in the Dept. of Physics at Harvard University, Exergen's temporal artery thermometers are protected by 20 US and foreign patents.

Visit the Exergen web site.
Visit the Walgreens web site.