NATICK, Mass., March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced a program designed to improve patient compliance with physician-prescribed anti-platelet therapy following implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES). This program is the first of its kind in the medical device industry and is expected to launch in the United States later this year. It will be made available to all patients who receive a DES, regardless of brand, through their prescribing physician.

"Evidence suggests that for many patients, drug-eluting stents in combination with appropriate medical therapy provide the best outcomes," said Dean Kereiakes, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Director of Research of The Ohio Heart and Vascular Center. "I am pleased to see Boston Scientific take a leadership role in addressing compliance and thus helping clinicians to provide the best possible care to patients."

  The program will consist of three core components:
  * An education module offered to DES patients, designed to increase
    awareness of the importance of following physician-prescribed anti-
    platelet plans after DES implantation;
  * A patient adherence program, designed to assist patients in complying
    with their anti-platelet therapy; and
  * A patient assistance program designed to facilitate access to financial
    support for anti-platelet therapy for patients who qualify.

The Company said it plans to spend up to $40 million on the program and will begin training for the initial education component of the program immediately.

"As the leader in interventional cardiology, Boston Scientific is committed to patient care and physician partnership," said Paul LaViolette, Chief Operating Officer of Boston Scientific. "We are pleased to offer this program to all DES patients, not just TAXUS patients, to encourage participation in the program for all physicians. We expect these efforts will increase compliance and optimize clinical outcomes for DES patients."

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: http://www.bostonscientific.com/.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Boston Scientific wishes to caution the reader of this press release that actual results may differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected by, among other things, risks associated with new product development and commercialization, clinical trials, intellectual property, regulatory approvals, competitive offerings, Boston Scientific's overall business strategy, and other factors described in Boston Scientific's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

  CONTACT:  Paul Donovan
            508-650-8541 (Office)
            508-667-5165 (Mobile)
            Media Relations
            Boston Scientific Corporation

            Dan Brennan
            508-650-8538 (Office)
            617-459-2703 (Mobile)
            Investor Relations
            Boston Scientific Corporation

SOURCE: Boston Scientific Corporation

CONTACT: Media, Paul Donovan, +1-508-650-8541, cell, +1-508-667-5165, or
Investors, Dan Brennan, +1-508-650-8538, cell, +1-617-459-2703, both of Boston
Scientific Corporation

Web site: http://www.bostonscientific.com/