Contacts:  Nancy Christal/Fred McGrail              Gilbert Gerhard
           CVS Corporation                          Arbor Drugs, Inc.
           (914) 722-4704/(401) 765-1500 x4630      (248) 643-9420

           Jim Fingeroth/Wendi Kopsick              Fred Marx
           Kekst and Company                        Marx Layne
           (212) 521-4800                           (248) 770-0699


                                                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Woonsocket, RI and Troy, MI, March 4, 1998 -- CVS Corporation (NYSE: CVS) and
Arbor Drugs, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARBR) today announced that a stockholder lawsuit has
been commenced against CVS, Arbor and the directors of Arbor.

As previously announced on February 9, 1998, CVS and Arbor have entered into a
definitive merger agreement providing for CVS to acquire Arbor in a
stock-for-stock merger.

The lawsuit, which purports to be a class action on behalf of Arbor
stockholders, alleges that the consideration to be paid to Arbor stockholders in
the merger is inadequate and unfair and that the directors of Arbor have
breached their fiduciary duties in approving the transaction. The action seeks
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, as well as damages.

CVS and Arbor believe the lawsuit to be without merit and intend to defend it
vigorously.


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