DUBLIN, Ohio, Feb. 27, 2004 — The board of directors of Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH), the leading provider of products and services supporting the health care industry, today authorized the company to purchase up to $500 million of its common shares.

The authorization permits Cardinal Health to repurchase outstanding common shares pursuant to such terms, and at such times, as management deems appropriate. The company will hold any repurchased shares as treasury shares for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions or issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options.