Filed by Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.
                           Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933

                                           Subject Company: NCS HealthCare, Inc.
                                                     Commission File No. 0-27602

ON OCTOBER 22, 2002, GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES ISSUED THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: George V. Hager, Jr.
         Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
         (610) 444-6350

           GENESIS RESPONDS TO WITHDRAWAL OF NCS BOARD RECOMMENDATION

KENNETT SQUARE, PA -- (October 22, 2002) - In response to an announcement by NCS
Healthcare that its board of directors had withdrawn its recommendation in favor
of NCS' pending merger with Genesis, Genesis reiterated its confidence that the
merger will be completed on a timely basis.

"We are aware and respectful of the continuing fiduciary responsibility of the
NCS board to advise its shareholders. However, the announcement does not affect
the Genesis/NCS merger agreement, which remains binding upon NCS, nor does it
affect the related voting agreements which remain binding upon the holders of a
majority of the voting power of NCS," stated Robert Fish, Interim CEO. "We
continue to be enthusiastic about the value of the combination of our
NeighborCare pharmacy business with NCS and are working closely with NCS toward
closing the merger before year-end."

Genesis Health Ventures (NASDAQ: GHVI) provides healthcare services to America's
elders through a network of NeighborCare pharmacies and Genesis ElderCare
skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Other Genesis healthcare
services include rehabilitation and respiratory therapy, hospitality services,
group purchasing, and diagnostics.

Visit our website at http://www.ghv.com

Statements made in this release, and in our other public filings and releases,
which are not historical facts contain "forward-looking" statements (as defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and
uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. These forward-looking
statements may include, but are not limited to, statements containing words such
as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may" and
similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in the
reimbursement rates or methods of payment from Medicare or Medicaid, or the
implementation of other measures to reduce reimbursement for our services;
changes in pharmacy legislation and payment formulas; the expiration of
enactments providing for additional government funding; efforts of third party
payors to control costs; the impact of federal and state regulations; changes in
payor mix and payment methodologies; further consolidation of managed care
organizations and other third party payors; competition in our business; an
increase in insurance costs and potential liability for losses not covered by,
or in excess of, our insurance; competition for qualified staff in the
healthcare industry; our ability to control operating costs, return to
profitability and generate sufficient cash flow to meet operational and
financial requirements; an economic downturn or changes in the laws affecting
our business in those markets in which we operate; there can be no assurance
that the Genesis/NCS Healthcare, Inc. merger will be completed and if completed
the anticipated benefits of the merger may not be realized in a timely fashion,
or at all; and there can be no assurance that any ElderCare transaction will be
completed and if completed will increase shareholder value.

The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control. We caution
investors that any forward-looking statements made by us are not guarantees of
future performance. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to
announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking
statements to reflect future events or developments.

Genesis and NCS have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") a proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents concerning the
proposed merger transaction. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS
THERETO) FILED WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You may
obtain the documents free of charge at the website maintained by the SEC at
www.sec.gov. In addition, you may obtain documents filed with the SEC by
Genesis free of charge by directing a request in writing to:

Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.
Investor Relations
101 East State Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348

or by calling 610-925-2000.