8-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): August 16, 2002

                          GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES, INC.
             -----------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


         Pennsylvania                       00-33217             06-1132947
- -------------------------------       -------------------    -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of        (Commission File       (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)             Number)          Identification No.)


                              101 East State Street
                       Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 610-444-6350


Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report: N/A







Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)         Exhibits

            99.1    Press release dated August 15, 2002



Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure.

Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. (The "Company") and ManorCare, Inc. have agreed to
withdraw all outstanding legal actions against each other stemming from the
acquisition by Genesis' subsidiary, NeighborCare, of Manor Care's pharmacy
subsidiary, Vitalink. Both companies have also agreed to withdraw the prior
pharmacy service agreement and have entered into a new pharmacy service
agreement. The new agreement will run through January 2006 and covers
approximately 200 Manor Care facilities. The new agreement replaces the current
agreement between the two companies that was set to expire in 2004.

The pricing of the new agreement has been reduced by approximately $8.5 million
annually based upon current sales volumes. The agreement is retroactive to June
1, 2002. The Company believes that the revenue reduction resulting from the new
agreement will be offset by cost reductions relating to certain of its
previously announced strategic objectives.

Statements made in this public filing, 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 and generate
sufficient cash flow to meet operational and financial requirements; achievement
of cost reductions relating to certain strategic objectives; and an economic
downturn or changes in the laws affecting our business in those markets in which
we operate.






                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                  GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES, INC.

                                  By: /s/ George V. Hager, Jr.
                                      -----------------------------------
                                      George V. Hager, Jr.
                                      Executive Vice President and
                                      Chief Financial Officer


Date: August 16, 2002

EX-99

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Manor Care: Geoffrey G. Meyers
Chief Financial Officer
419-252-5545
e-mail: gmeyers@hcr-manorcare.com

Genesis: George V. Hager, Jr.
EVP & Chief Financial Officer
610-444-6350

          Manor Care and Genesis End Legal Disputes; Sign New Pharmacy
                               Services Agreement


Toledo, OH and Kennett Square, PA - (August 15, 2002), ManorCare, Inc. (NYSE:
HCR) and Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. (NASDAQ: GHVI) today announced that they
are withdrawing all outstanding legal actions against each other and have
executed a new pharmacy agreement.

The parties have agreed to withdraw all pending litigation stemming from
NeighborCare's acquisition of Manor Care's pharmacy subsidiary, Vitalink, in
1998, and the prior pharmacy agreement.

The new pharmacy agreement between Genesis' pharmacy subsidiary, NeighborCare,
and Manor Care will run through January, 2006, and covers approximately 200
Manor Care facilities in 20 states. The new agreement replaces the current
agreement between the two companies that was set to expire in 2004. The new
arrangement is the result of extensive dialogue between the two companies and
represents a completely new and mutually beneficial relationship.

Paul Ormond, Manor Care chairman, president and chief executive, said, "This
agreement brings to a close a long series of differences between the companies
and normalizes the competitive aspects of the business relationship."

"The collaborative effort involved in reaching this new pharmacy agreement is a
clear indication that Genesis and Manor Care leadership have put aside any past
differences and have begun a new, productive, long-term relationship" said
Robert Fish, interim Genesis CEO.

Manor Care, Inc., through its operating group HCR Manor Care, is the leading
owner and operator of long-term care centers in the United States. The company's
59,000 employees provide high-quality care for patients, residents and clients
through a network of more than 500 long-term care centers, assisted living
facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and home health care and hospice






offices. Alliances and other ventures supply high-quality pharmaceutical
products and management services for professional organizations. The company
operates primarily under the respected Heartland, ManorCare and Arden Courts
names. Manor Care is committed to being the preeminent care provider in the
industry. Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker
symbol HCR.

Genesis Health Ventures (GHVI) is a leading provider of healthcare services to
America's elders through a network of NeighborCare pharmacies and Genesis
ElderCare skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. In addition to
pharmacy and inpatient eldercare services, Genesis' 46,000 employees also
provide rehabilitation and hospitality services, group purchasing, consulting
and facility management services to long-term care providers nationwide.
Additional information, including investor information, is available on the
Genesis web site at 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 and generate
sufficient cash flow to meet operational and financial requirements; and an
economic downturn or changes in the laws affecting our business in those markets
in which we operate.

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.


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