News Release

BAXTER'S PULSE WATER + NUTRIENTS SUPPLEMENTS SET TO SPLASH INTO THIRTY-FOUR ADDITIONAL U.S. STATES

DEERFIELD, IL, October 7, 2002 - Pulse Nutrition Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX), is set to unveil PULSE water + nutrients supplements in 34 additional states* across the United States. Baxter's plans for the PULSE product launch include staged regional retail roll-out with full national distribution by mid-2003.

PULSE water + nutrients supplements provide meaningful amounts of nutrients supported by scientific research in three targeted formulas and a variety of flavors. They are the first dietary supplements of this type to be developed and marketed by an established healthcare company.

"We are expanding the roll-out of PULSE water + nutrients because we know we have a unique nutritional product that has gained great momentum in our introductory markets with favorable feedback from retailers, consumers and clinicians," said Karen King, president of Pulse Nutrition Solutions Inc. "PULSE provides targeted health and wellness benefits to adults and Baby Boomers by providing meaningful amounts of key nutrients and nutrient-related ingredients - such as soluble fiber, soy isoflavones, calcium, vitamin E, selenium and more - all carefully selected for their specific nutritional benefits based on existing clinical evidence."

Baxter's entry into this market combines the company's expertise and business experience in nutrition-based products with an understanding of how to deliver nutrients to the body, backed by more than 70 years of bringing healthcare products to market. With that experience and know-how, the PULSE water + nutrients research and development team formulated the product with proven nutrients in targeted formulas for Heart Health, Women's Health and Men's Health.

MEANINGFUL AMOUNTS OF NUTRIENTS

"PULSE water + nutrients supplements are different because they don't have token amounts of nutrients," said Judy Gerber, M.S., R.D., clinical manager for Pulse Nutrition Solutions Inc. "PULSE products provide enough nutrients to actually make a difference in a person's diet. These are products that help people reach their dietary goals more easily. A scientific review published this year in The Journal of the American Medical Association supports the view that most people do not consume optimal amounts of all vitamins by diet alone. It's difficult to get all the nutrients your body needs all the time. That's why PULSE water + nutrients are so unique. PULSE products are convenient, nutrient dense and come in a variety of flavors to help promote health in targeted areas."

Gerber also cites a public opinion survey released this year by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) that states that nearly 60 percent of 700 American adults surveyed pointed to lack of time and inconvenience as major reasons for not focusing on proper nutrition and wellness.

THREE TARGETED FORMULAS

PULSE Heart Health Formula contains 25 percent of the recommended daily value of dietary fiber (6 g of soluble fiber per serving), which helps maintain cholesterol levels already within the normal range.** Other ingredients include vitamin C (100 percent of the recommended daily value), an antioxidant important in maintaining heart health, and selenium (25 percent of the recommended daily value), which helps maintain normal heart function.**

PULSE Women's Health Formula contains nutrients and nutrient-related ingredients that may help reduce symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, help promote bone health and address other nutritional needs of women.** Each serving provides 15 mg of soy isoflavones, which help to reduce the occurrence of symptoms associated with menopause; calcium (38 percent of the recommended daily value), magnesium (13 percent of the recommended daily value) and vitamin D (100 percent of the recommended daily value), which help promote bone health ; vitamin B6 (250 percent of the recommended daily value), which helps to keep the nervous system, blood and skin healthy; folic acid, an important nutrient that helps support a healthy heart and blood vessels; and vitamin B12, which supports folic acid metabolism.**

PULSE Men's Health Formula contains a blend of antioxidant nutrients and nutrient-related ingredients designed to help maintain prostate health, heart health and other nutritional needs of men.** It provides vitamins C (100 percent of the recommended daily value) and E (80 percent of the recommended daily value); selenium (54 percent of the recommended daily value); and 15 mg of green tea catechins per serving.** Catechins have antioxidant properties that are important in maintaining heart and prostate health.

All PULSE supplements are low-calorie - containing between 19 and 38 calories per 500-ml (16.9 ounce) bottle - and come in a variety of flavors. PULSE water + nutrients supplements are available in the water aisle of grocery and drug stores.

ABOUT BAXTER

Baxter International Inc. is a global health care company that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions. Baxter's bioscience, medication delivery and renal products and services are used to treat some of the most challenging medical conditions including cancer, hemophilia, immune deficiencies, infectious diseases, kidney disease and trauma. For more information, please visit www.baxter.com and www.pulsenutrition.com.

PULSE is a trademark of Baxter International Inc.

*New States: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming and Washington D.C. Introductory States: Arizona, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico, Wisconsin

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

	Media Contacts:   George Rafeedie, Pulse Nutrition Solutions Inc, 847-948-3675 Ilke Arici, Weber Shandwick Healthcare, 312-397-6624