SYSMEX CORPORATION

    Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; President: Hisashi Ietsugu; hereinafter referred to as "Sysmex") announced today the launch of a new self-medication support service that will be provided through drug stores operated by SEGAMI MEDICS Co., Ltd. (HQ: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President: Osamu Segami; hereinafter referred to as "Segami"), a subsidiary of cocokara fine HOLDINGS Inc. (HQ: Ota-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsushi Tsukamoto; hereinafter referred to as "Cocokara Fine"). The "Touch de Tsuzukeru Kenko Nisshi (Health Journal on a Touch Screen)" service has been modified in line with Segami's needs and introduced into its drug stores.
    Starting at three of Segami's stores, this service will eventually be expanded into other areas from Kanto to Kyushu over the course of this fiscal year with a view to establishing nationwide coverage. The two companies are also considering the introduction of this service into the stores operated under the Cocokara Fine Group.

    The "Touch de Tsuzukeru Kenko Nisshi (Health Journal on a Touch Screen )" developed by Sysmex, is a service that allows users to examine their health condition on their own.
    At the three stores which have started to provide this service, Segami, in additon to installing the system, also held regular health counseling sessions. At the sessions, customers had the opportunity to actually use the system, allowing the company's staff to obtain feedback from customers and discuss how to conduct counseling based on examination results. During this trial period, staff received many messages from customers expressing gratitude for the service and other positive feedback. Accordingly, the company decided to embark upon the full-scale introduction of the system and start the service.

    Along with the launch of the self-medication support service, Segami will increase its focus on the development of human resources who can provide customers with health guidance. This will enhance its counseling capability, and assist it in achieving the aim of being a company which contributes to local communities through improving mental and physical health. The "Health Journal on a Touch Screen" service makes it simple for local customers to examine their own health at drug stores. If they have any concerns about the examination results, they may seek professional advice from pharmacists or other specialist salespersons at the stores.

    Sysmex and Segami will expand this service into areas from Kanto to Kyushu over the course of this fiscal year. They also consider gradual expansion of their services into more stores with a view toward expansion to cover those operated under the Cocokara Fine Group.

[Stores to launch a self-medication support service]
Name Location Moriguchi-Yakumo Outlet 2-2 Hokuto-cho, Moriguchi City, Osaka Higashikori Outlet 3-6-1 Higashikori, Hirakata City, Osaka Kishibe Outlet 1-2-5 Kishibe-minami, Suita City, Osaka

[Features of Segami's "Health Journal on a Touch Screen"]

The "Health Journal on a Touch Screen," modified for Segami based on know-how developed jointly by Sysmex and Segami, provides two courses for customers to choose from: a lifestyle improvement course (takes about five minutes) and a diet improvement course (takes about twenty minutes). Those having membership cards for each course can access the results of past health examinations and thus continuously exercise control over their own health.

1. Lifestyle improvement course

This course offers five stages for lifestyle improvement: exercise habits, nutritional balance, dietary habits, smoking habits, and rest and sleep. At the first examination, these stages are prioritized for customers, then at the second examination and thereafter, suitable advice is given for each stage.

2. Diet improvement course

Customers are asked to answer some questions about their diet (type, amount, and frequency) over the past week. Based on the examination results, the balance of intake of vitamins, minerals, and the three major nutrients is analyzed. Then the customers are provided with recipes for foods that contain nutrients they are currently lacking.