China Nepstar Chain Drugstore (NPD) Begins Tradi...( SHENZHEN China and NEW YORK Nov. ...),Health

SHENZHEN, China and NEW YORK, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- China's largest drugstore chain based on the number of directly operated stores, China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd (NYSE: NPD) ("Nepstar" or "the Company"), was listed today on the New York Stock Exchange.

Nepstar offered 20,625,000 American depositary shares (ADSs) during its initial public offering at US$16.20 each. Gross proceeds from the offering, not including the potential exercise of the greenshoe, amounted to approximately US$334 million.

Nepstar is the largest drugstore chain in mainland China, with 1,791 directly operated stores as of September 30, 2007.

Proceeds from the offering will be used to open new stores, to upgrade information management and inventory control systems and to set up two new distribution centers. The proceeds may also be used for other general corporate purposes and for potential acquisitions.

Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. was the sole global coordinator of the offering. Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated were the joint bookrunners. CLSA Limited was also an underwriter of the offering.

Nepstar's registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The offering of the securities is made only by means of a
'/>"/>