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                                                                   Exhibit 10.17
                          Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.


                             2001 STOCK OPTION PLAN


1.       Purpose of Plan

         The purpose of this 2001 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to provide
additional incentive to officers, other key employees, and directors of, and
important consultants to, Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., a Pennsylvania
corporation (the "Company"), and each present or future parent or subsidiary
corporation, by encouraging them to invest in shares of the Company's common
stock, par value $0.02 ("Common Stock"), and thereby acquire a proprietary
interest in the Company and an increased personal interest in the Company's
continued success and progress.

2.       Aggregate Number of Shares

         The aggregate number of shares of the Company's Common Stock which may
be issued under this Plan is 3,480,000 of which 3,305,000 shares may be issued
to the persons eligible to receive options as specified in Section 3 hereof and
175,000 shares may be issued solely to directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the event of any change in the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the
Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, reorganization,
conversion or what the Committee (defined in Section 4(a)), deems in its sole
discretion to be similar circumstances, the aggregate number and kind of shares
which may be issued under this Plan shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner
determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. Reacquired shares of the
Company's Common Stock, as well as unissued shares, may be used for the purpose
of this Plan. Common Stock of the Company subject to options which have
terminated unexercised, either in whole or in part, shall be available for
future options granted under this Plan.

3.       Class of Persons Eligible to Receive Options

         All officers and key employees of the Company and of any present or
future Company parent or subsidiary corporation are eligible to receive an
option or options under this Plan. All directors of, and important consultants
to, the Company and of any present or future Company parent or subsidiary
corporation are also eligible to receive an option or options under this Plan.
The individuals who shall, in fact, receive an option or options shall be
selected by the Committee, in its sole discretion, except as otherwise specified
in Section 4 hereof. No individual may receive options under this Plan for more
than 80% of the total number of shares of the Company's Common Stock authorized
for issuance under this Plan.


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4.       Administration of Plan

         (a) This Plan shall be administered by the Company's Board of Directors
or by a Compensation Committee ("Committee") appointed by the Company's Board of
Directors. The Committee shall consist of a minimum of two and a maximum of five
members of the Board of Directors, each of whom shall be a "Non-Employee
Director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, or any future corresponding rule, except that the
failure of the Committee for any reason to be composed solely of Non-Employee
Directors shall not prevent an option from being considered granted under this
Plan. The Committee shall, in addition to its other authority and subject to the
provisions of this Plan, determine which individuals shall in fact be granted an
option or options, whether the option shall be an Incentive Stock Option or a
Non-Qualified Stock Option (as such terms are defined in Section 5(a)), the
number of shares to be subject to each of the options, the time or times at
which the options shall be granted, the rate of option exercisability, and,
subject to Section 5 hereof, the price at which each of the options is
exercisable and the duration of the option. The term "Committee", as used in
this Plan and the options granted hereunder, refers to either the Board of
Directors or to the Committee, whichever is then administering this Plan.

         (b) The Committee shall adopt such rules for the conduct of its
business and administration of this Plan as it considers desirable. A majority
of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. The
vote or written consent of a majority of the members of the Committee on a
particular matter shall constitute the act of the Committee on such matter. The
Committee shall have the right to construe the Plan and the options issued
pursuant to it, to correct defects and omissions and to reconcile
inconsistencies to the extent necessary to effectuate the Plan and the options
issued pursuant to it, and such action shall be final, binding and conclusive
upon all parties concerned. No member of the Committee or the Board of Directors
shall be liable for any act or omission (whether or not negligent) taken or
omitted in good faith, or for the exercise of an authority or discretion granted
in connection with the Plan to a Committee or the Board of Directors, or for the
acts or omissions of any other members of a Committee or the Board of Directors.
Subject to the numerical limitations on Committee membership set forth in
Section 4(a) hereof, the Board of Directors may at any time appoint additional
members of the Committee and may at any time remove any member of the Committee
with or without cause. Vacancies in the Committee, however caused, may be filled
by the Board of Directors, if it so desires.

5.       Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified Stock Options

         (a) Options issued pursuant to this Plan may be either Incentive Stock
Options granted pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof or Non-Qualified Stock Options
granted pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof, as determined by the Committee. An
"Incentive Stock Option" is an option which satisfies all of the requirements of
Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and
the regulations thereunder, and a "Non-Qualified Stock Option" is an option
which either does not satisfy all of those requirements or the terms of the
option provide that it will not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option. The
Committee may grant both an Incentive Stock Option and a Non-Qualified Stock
Option to the same person, or more than one of each type of option to the same
person. The option price for options issued under this Plan shall be equal at
least to the fair market value (as defined below) of the Company's Common Stock
on the date of the grant of the option. The fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock on any particular date shall mean the last reported sale price of a
share of the Company's Common Stock on any stock exchange on which such stock is
then listed or admitted to trading, or on the NASDAQ National Market System or
Small Cap NASDAQ, on such date, or if no sale took place on such day, the last
such date on which a sale took place, or if the Common Stock is not then quoted
on the NASDAQ National Market System or Small Cap NASDAQ, or listed or admitted
to trading on any stock exchange, the average of the bid and asked prices in the
over-the-counter market on such date, or if none of the foregoing, a price
determined in good faith by the Committee to equal the fair market value per
share of the Common Stock.





<PAGE>

         (b) Subject to the authority of the Committee set forth in Section 4(a)
hereof, Incentive Stock Options issued pursuant to this Plan shall be issued
substantially in the form set forth in Appendix I hereof, which form is hereby
incorporated by reference and made a part hereof, and shall contain
substantially the terms and conditions set forth therein. Incentive Stock
Options shall not be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date
such options are granted, unless terminated earlier under the terms of the
option, except that options granted to individuals described in Section
422(b)(6) of the Code shall conform to the provisions of Section 422(c)(5) of
the Code. At the time of the grant of an Incentive Stock Option hereunder, the
Committee may, in its discretion, amend or supplement any of the option terms
contained in Appendix I for any particular optionee, provided that the option as
amended or supplemented satisfies the requirements of Section 422(b) of the Code
and the regulations thereunder. Each of the options granted pursuant to this
Section 5(b) is intended, if possible, to be an "Incentive Stock Option" as that
term is defined in Section 422(b) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. In
the event this Plan or any option granted pursuant to this Section 5(b) is in
any way inconsistent with the applicable legal requirements of the Code or the
regulations thereunder for an Incentive Stock Option, this Plan and such option
shall be deemed automatically amended as of the date hereof to conform to such
legal requirements, if such conformity may be achieved by amendment.

         (c) Subject to the authority of the Committee set forth in Section 4(a)
hereof, Non-Qualified Stock Options issued to officers and other key employees
pursuant to this Plan shall be issued substantially in the form set forth in
Appendix II hereof, which form is hereby incorporated by reference and made a
part hereof, and shall contain substantially the terms and conditions set forth
therein. Subject to the authority of the Committee set forth in Section 4(a)
hereof, Non-Qualified Stock Options issued to directors and important
consultants pursuant to this Plan shall be issued substantially in the form set
forth in Appendix III hereof, which form is hereby incorporated by reference and
made a part hereof, and shall contain substantially the terms and conditions set
forth therein. Non-Qualified Stock Options shall expire ten years after the date
they are granted, unless terminated earlier under the option terms. At the time
of granting a Non-Qualified Stock Option hereunder, the Committee may, in its
discretion, amend or supplement any of the option terms contained in Appendix II
or Appendix III for any particular optionee.




<PAGE>

         (d) Neither the Company nor any of its current or future parent,
subsidiaries or affiliates, nor their officers, directors, shareholders, stock
option plan committees, employees or agents shall have any liability to any
optionee in the event (i) an option granted pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof does
not qualify as an "Incentive Stock Option" as that term is used in Section
422(b) of the Code and the regulations thereunder; (ii) any optionee does not
obtain the tax treatment pertaining to an Incentive Stock Option; or (iii) any
option granted pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof is an "Incentive Stock Option."

6.       Amendment, Supplement, Suspension and Termination

         Options shall not be granted pursuant to this Plan after the expiration
of ten years from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board of Directors of the
Company. The Board of Directors reserves the right at any time, and from time to
time, to amend or supplement this Plan in any way, or to suspend or terminate
it, effective as of such date, which date may be either before or after the
taking of such action, as may be specified by the Board of Directors; provided,
however, that such action shall not, without the consent of the optionee, affect
options granted under the Plan prior to the actual date on which such action
occurred. If an amendment or supplement of this Plan is required by the Code or
the regulations thereunder to be approved by the shareholders of the Company in
order to permit the granting of "Incentive Stock Options" (as that term is
defined in Section 422(b) of the Code and regulations thereunder) pursuant to
the amended or supplemented Plan, such amendment or supplement shall also be
approved by the shareholders of the Company in such manner as is prescribed by
the Code and the regulations thereunder. If the Board of Directors voluntarily
submits a proposed amendment, supplement, suspension or termination for
shareholder approval, such submission shall not require any future amendments,
supplements, suspensions or terminations (whether or not relating to the same
provision or subject matter) to be similarly submitted for shareholder approval.

7.       Effectiveness of Plan

         This Plan shall become effective on the date of its adoption by the
Company's Board of Directors.





<PAGE>

8.       General Conditions

         (a) Nothing contained in this Plan or any option granted pursuant to
this Plan shall confer upon any employee the right to continue in the employ of
the Company or any affiliated or subsidiary corporation or interfere in any way
with the rights of the Company or any affiliated or subsidiary corporation to
terminate his employment in any way.

         (b) Nothing contained in this Plan or any option granted pursuant to
this Plan shall confer upon any director or consultant the right to continue as
a director of, or consultant to, the Company or any affiliated or subsidiary
corporation or interfere in any way with the rights of the Company or any
affiliated or subsidiary corporation, or their respective shareholders, to
terminate the directorship of any such director or the consultancy relationship
of any such consultant.

         (c) Corporate action constituting an offer of stock for sale to any
person under the terms of the options to be granted hereunder shall be deemed
complete as of the date when the Committee authorizes the grant of the option to
the such person, regardless of when the option is actually delivered to such
person or acknowledged or agreed to by him.

         (d) The terms "parent corporation" and "subsidiary corporation" as used
throughout this Plan, and the options granted pursuant to this Plan, shall
(except as otherwise provided in the option form) have the meaning that is
ascribed to that term when contained in Section 422(b) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder, and the Company shall be deemed to be the grantor
corporation for purposes of applying such meaning.

         (e) References in this Plan to the Code shall be deemed to also refer
to the corresponding provisions of any future United States revenue law.

         (f) The use of the masculine pronoun shall include the feminine gender
whenever appropriate.



<PAGE>


                                   APPENDIX I

                             INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION


To:    __________________________________________________________
                  Name

       __________________________________________________________
                  Address

Date of Grant:  ___________________________________________________


         You are hereby granted an option, effective as of the date hereof, to
purchase __________ shares of common stock, par value $0.02 ("Common Stock"), of
Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), at a
price of $20.33 per share pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan").

         This option shall terminate and is not exercisable after ten years from
the date of its grant (the "Scheduled Termination Date"), except if terminated
earlier as hereafter provided.

         Your option may be exercised on and after the dates and to the extent
it has vested as provided below (minus the number of shares previously purchased
by exercise of the option and as adjusted for any change in the outstanding
shares of the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock
split, combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer
of assets, reorganization, conversion or what the Board of Directors deems in
its sole discretion to be similar circumstances):

             DATE                                   NUMBER OF SHARES VESTING

         January 1, 2002
         April 1, 2002
         July 1, 2002
         October 1, 2002
         January 1, 2003
         April 1, 2003
         July 1, 2003
         October 1, 2003
         January 1, 2004
         April 1, 2004
         July 1, 2004
         October 1, 2004
         January 1, 2005
         April 1, 2005
         July 1, 2005
         October 1, 2005
         _____________________
         TOTAL SHARES VESTING



<PAGE>

         In the event of a "Change of Control" (as defined below) of the
Company, your option may, from and after the date which is six months after the
Change of Control, and notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, be
exercised for up to 100% of the total number of shares then subject to the
option minus the number of shares previously purchased upon exercise of the
option (as adjusted for any change in the outstanding shares of the Common Stock
of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of
shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets,
reorganization, conversion or what the Committee deems in its sole discretion to
be similar circumstances) and your vesting date will accelerate accordingly. A
"Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred upon the happening of any
of the following events:

         1.       A change within a twelve-month period in the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company; or

         2.       Any other event deemed to constitute a "Change of Control" by
the Committee.

         You may exercise your option by giving written notice to the Secretary
of the Company on forms supplied by the Company at its then principal executive
office, accompanied by payment of the option price for the total number of
shares you specify that you wish to purchase. The payment may be in any of the
following forms: (a) cash, which may be evidenced by a check and includes cash
received from a stock brokerage firm in a so-called "cashless exercise"; (b)
(unless prohibited by the Committee) certificates representing shares of Common
Stock of the Company, which will be valued by the Secretary of the Company at
the fair market value per share of the Company's Common Stock (as determined in
accordance with the Plan) on the date of delivery of such certificates to the
Company, accompanied by an assignment of the stock to the Company; or (c)
(unless prohibited by the Committee) any combination of cash and Common Stock of
the Company valued as provided in clause (b). The use of the so-called
attestation procedure to exercise a stock option may be permitted by the
Committee. Any assignment of stock shall be in a form and substance satisfactory
to the Secretary of the Company, including guarantees of signature(s) and
payment of all transfer taxes if the Secretary deems such guarantees necessary
or desirable.

         Your option will, to the extent not previously exercised by you,
terminate three months after the date on which your employment by the Company or
a Company subsidiary corporation is terminated (whether such termination be
voluntary or involuntary) other than by reason of disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
and the regulations thereunder, or death, in which case your option will
terminate one year from the date of termination of employment due to disability
or death (but in no event later than the Scheduled Termination Date). After the
date your employment is terminated, as aforesaid, you may exercise this option
only for the number of shares which you had a right to purchase and did not
purchase on the date your employment terminated. Provided you are willing to
continue your employment for the Company or a successor after a Change of
Control at the same compensation you enjoyed immediately prior to such Change of
Control, if your employment is involuntarily terminated without cause after a
Change of Control, you may exercise this option for the number of shares you
would have had a right to purchase on the date of an Acceleration Event. If you
are employed by a Company subsidiary corporation, your employment shall be
deemed to have terminated on the date your employer ceases to be a Company
subsidiary corporation, unless you are on that date transferred to the Company
or another Company subsidiary corporation. Your employment shall not be deemed
to have terminated if you are transferred from the Company to a Company
subsidiary corporation, or vice versa, or from one Company subsidiary
corporation to another Company subsidiary corporation.



<PAGE>

         If you die while employed by the Company or a Company subsidiary
corporation, your executor or administrator, as the case may be, may, at any
time within one year after the date of your death (but in no event later than
the Scheduled Termination Date), exercise the option as to any shares which you
had a right to purchase and did not purchase during your lifetime. If your
employment with the Company or a Company parent or subsidiary corporation is
terminated by reason of your becoming disabled (within the meaning of Section
22(e)(3) of the Code and the regulations thereunder), you or your legal guardian
or custodian may at any time within one year after the date of such termination
(but in no event later than the Scheduled Termination Date), exercise the option
as to any shares which you had a right to purchase and did not purchase prior to
such termination. Your executor, administrator, guardian or custodian must
present proof of his authority satisfactory to the Company prior to being
allowed to exercise this option.

         In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of
shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets,
reorganization, conversion or what the Committee deems in its sole discretion to
be similar circumstances, the number and kind of shares subject to this option
and the option price of such shares shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner
to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

         In the event of a liquidation or proposed liquidation of the Company,
including (but not limited to) a transfer of assets followed by a liquidation of
the Company, or in the event of a Change of Control (as previously defined) or
proposed Change of Control, the Committee shall have the right to require you to
exercise this option upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to you. If at
the time such written notice is given this option is not otherwise exercisable,
the written notice will set forth your right to exercise this option even though
it is not otherwise exercisable. In the event this option is not exercised by
you within the thirty (30) day period set forth in such written notice, this
option shall terminate on the last day of such thirty (30) day period,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this option.



<PAGE>

         This option is not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your lifetime only by you,
including, for this purpose, your legal guardian or custodian in the event of
disability. Until the option price has been paid in full pursuant to due
exercise of this option and the purchased shares are delivered to you, you do
not have any rights as a shareholder of the Company. The Company reserves the
right not to deliver to you the shares purchased by virtue of the exercise of
this option during any period of time in which the Company deems, in its sole
discretion, that such delivery would violate a federal, state, local or
securities exchange rule, regulation or law.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this option
is not exercisable until all the following events occur and during the following
periods of time:

                  (a) Until the Plan pursuant to which this option is granted is
approved by the shareholders of the Company in the manner prescribed by the Code
and the regulations thereunder;

                  (b) Until this option and the optioned shares are approved
and/or registered with such federal, state and local regulatory bodies or
agencies and securities exchanges as the Company may deem necessary or
desirable;

                  (c) During any period of time in which the Company deems that
the exercisability of this option, the offer to sell the shares optioned
hereunder, or the sale thereof, may violate a federal, state, local or
securities exchange rule, regulation or law, or may cause the Company to be
legally obligated to issue or sell more shares than the Company is legally
entitled to issue or sell; or

                  (d) Until you have paid or made suitable arrangements to pay
(which may include payment through the surrender of Common Stock, unless
prohibited by the Committee) (i) all federal, state and local income tax
withholding required to be withheld by the Company in connection with the option
exercise and (ii) the employee's portion of other federal, state and local
payroll and other taxes due in connection with the option exercise.

         The following two paragraphs shall be applicable if, on the date of
exercise of this option, the Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such
exercise has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and under applicable state securities laws, and shall continue to be applicable
for so long as such registration has not occurred:



<PAGE>

                  (a) The optionee hereby agrees, warrants and represents that
he will acquire the Common Stock to be issued hereunder for his own account for
investment purposes only, and not with a view to, or in connection with, any
resale or other distribution of any of such shares, except as hereafter
permitted. The optionee further agrees that he will not at any time make any
offer, sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of such Common Stock to be
issued hereunder without an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state securities
laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company to the effect that the
proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration. The optionee shall
execute such instruments, representations, acknowledgments and agreements as the
Company may, in its sole discretion, deem advisable to avoid any violation of
federal, state, local or securities exchange rule, regulation or law.

                  (b) The certificates for Common Stock to be issued to the
optionee hereunder shall bear the following legend:

                  "The shares represented by this certificate have not been
         registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under
         applicable state securities laws. The shares have been acquired for
         investment and may not be offered, sold, transferred, pledged or
         otherwise disposed of without an effective registration statement under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state
         securities laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that
         the proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration."

         The foregoing legend shall be removed upon registration of the legended
shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable
state laws or upon receipt of any opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company
that said registration is no longer required.

         The sole purpose of the agreements, warranties, representations and
legend set forth in the two immediately preceding paragraphs is to prevent
violations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state
securities laws.

         It is the intention of the Company and you that this option shall, if
possible, be an "Incentive Stock Option" as that term is used in Section 422(b)
of the Code and the regulations thereunder. In the event this option is in any
way inconsistent with the legal requirements of the Code or the regulations
thereunder for an "Incentive Stock Option," this option shall be deemed
automatically amended as of the date hereof to conform to such legal
requirements, if such conformity may be achieved by amendment. To the extent
that the number of shares subject to this option which are exercisable for the
first time exceed the $100,000 limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the
Code, this option will not be considered an Incentive Stock Option.



<PAGE>

         Nothing herein shall modify your status as an at-will employee of the
Company. Further, nothing herein guarantees you employment for any specified
period of time. This means that either you or the Company may terminate your
employment at any time for any reason, with or without cause, or for no reason.
You recognize that, for instance, you may terminate your employment or the
Company may terminate your employment prior to the date on which your option
becomes vested or exercisable.

         Any dispute or disagreement between you and the Company with respect to
any portion of this option or its validity, construction, meaning, performance
or your rights hereunder shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association or its
successor, as amended from time to time. However, prior to submission to
arbitration you will attempt to resolve any disputes or disagreements with the
Company over this option amicably and informally, in good faith, for a period
not to exceed two weeks. Thereafter, the dispute or disagreement will be
submitted to arbitration. At any time prior to a decision from the arbitrator(s)
being rendered, you and the Company may resolve the dispute by settlement. You
and the Company shall equally share the costs charged by the American
Arbitration Association or its successor, but you and the Company shall
otherwise be solely responsible for your own respective counsel fees and
expenses. The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be made in writing, setting
forth the award, the reasons for the decision and award and shall be binding and
conclusive on you and the Company. Further, neither you nor the Company shall
appeal any such award. Judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction may be
entered upon the award and may be enforced as such in accordance with the
provisions of the award.

         This option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan in effect on the
date this option is granted, which terms are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and made a part hereof. In the event of any conflict between the terms
of this option and the terms of the Plan in effect on the date of this option,
the terms of the Plan shall govern. This option constitutes the entire
understanding between the Company and you with respect to the subject matter
hereof and no amendment, supplement or waiver of this option, in whole or in
part, shall be binding upon the Company unless in writing and signed by the
President of the Company. This option and the performances of the parties
hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

         Please sign the copy of this option and return it to the Company's
Secretary, thereby indicating your understanding of and agreement with its terms
and conditions.

                                                   Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.


                                                   By: _________________________

         I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the foregoing stock option
and the Plan, and having read them hereby signify my understanding of, and my
agreement with, their terms and conditions. I accept this option in full
satisfaction of any previous written or verbal promises made to me by the
Company with respect to option grants.


________________________________                              __________________
(Signature)                                                   (Date)






<PAGE>


                                   APPENDIX II

                NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION FOR OFFICERS AND OTHER
                                  KEY EMPLOYEES


To:    ___________________________________________________________
                  Name


      ____________________________________________________________
                  Address

Date of Grant:  ___________________________________________________


         You are hereby granted an option, effective as of the date hereof, to
purchase __________ shares of common stock, par value $0.02 ("Common Stock"), of
Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), at a
price of $20.33 per share pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan").

         This option shall terminate and is not exercisable after ten years from
the date of its grant (the "Scheduled Termination Date"), except if terminated
earlier as hereafter provided.

         Your option may be exercised on and after the dates and to the extent
it has vested as provided below (minus the number of shares previously purchased
by exercise of the option and as adjusted for any change in the outstanding
shares of the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock
split, combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer
of assets, reorganization, conversion or what the Board of Directors deems in
its sole discretion to be similar circumstances):

             DATE                                       NUMBER OF SHARES VESTING

         January 1, 2002
         April 1, 2002
         July 1, 2002
         October 1, 2002
         January 1, 2003
         April 1, 2003
         July 1, 2003
         October 1, 2003
         January 1, 2004
         April 1, 2004
         July 1, 2004
         October 1, 2004
         January 1, 2005
         April 1, 2005
         July 1, 2005
         October 1, 2005
         _____________________
         TOTAL SHARES VESTING




<PAGE>

         In the event of a "Change of Control" (as defined below) of the
Company, your option may, from and after the date which is six months after the
Change of Control, and notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, be
exercised for up to 100% of the total number of shares then subject to the
option minus the number of shares previously purchased upon exercise of the
option (as adjusted for any change in the outstanding shares of the Common Stock
of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of
shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets,
reorganization, conversion or what the Committee deems in its sole discretion to
be similar circumstances) and your vesting date will accelerate accordingly. A
"Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred upon the happening of any
of the following events:

         1.       A change within a twelve-month period in the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company; or

         2.       Any other event deemed to constitute a "Change of Control" by
the Committee.

         You may exercise your option by giving written notice to the Secretary
of the Company on forms supplied by the Company at its then principal executive
office, accompanied by payment of the option price for the total number of
shares you specify that you wish to purchase. The payment may be in any of the
following forms: (a) cash, which may be evidenced by a check and includes cash
received from a stock brokerage firm in a so-called "cashless exercise"; (b)
(unless prohibited by the Committee) certificates representing shares of Common
Stock of the Company, which will be valued by the Secretary of the Company at
the fair market value per share of the Company's Common Stock (as determined in
accordance with the Plan) on the date of delivery of such certificates to the
Company, accompanied by an assignment of the stock to the Company; or (c)
(unless prohibited by the Committee) any combination of cash and Common Stock of
the Company valued as provided in clause (b). The use of the so-called
attestation procedure to exercise a stock option may be permitted by the
Committee. Any assignment of stock shall be in a form and substance satisfactory
to the Secretary of the Company, including guarantees of signature(s) and
payment of all transfer taxes if the Secretary deems such guarantees necessary
or desirable.

         Your option will, to the extent not previously exercised by you,
terminate three months after the date on which your employment by the Company or
a Company subsidiary corporation is terminated (whether such termination be
voluntary or involuntary) other than by reason of disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
and the regulations thereunder, or death, in which case your option will
terminate one year from the date of termination of employment due to disability
or death (but in no event later than the Scheduled Termination Date). After the
date your employment is terminated, as aforesaid, you may exercise this option
only for the number of shares which you had a right to purchase and did not
purchase on the date your employment terminated. Provided you are willing to
continue your employment for the Company or a successor after a Change of
Control at the same compensation you enjoyed immediately prior to such Change of
Control, if your employment is involuntarily terminated without cause after a
Change of Control, you may exercise this option for the number of shares you
would have had a right to purchase on the date of an Acceleration Event. If you
are employed by a Company subsidiary corporation, your employment shall be
deemed to have terminated on the date your employer ceases to be a Company
subsidiary corporation, unless you are on that date transferred to the Company
or another Company subsidiary corporation. Your employment shall not be deemed
to have terminated if you are transferred from the Company to a Company
subsidiary corporation, or vice versa, or from one Company subsidiary
corporation to another Company subsidiary corporation.





<PAGE>

         If you die while employed by the Company or a Company subsidiary
corporation, your executor or administrator, as the case may be, may, at any
time within one year after the date of your death (but in no event later than
the Scheduled Termination Date), exercise the option as to any shares which you
had a right to purchase and did not purchase during your lifetime. If your
employment with the Company or a Company parent or subsidiary corporation is
terminated by reason of your becoming disabled (within the meaning of Section
22(e)(3) of the Code and the regulations thereunder), you or your legal guardian
or custodian may at any time within one year after the date of such termination
(but in no event later than the Scheduled Termination Date), exercise the option
as to any shares which you had a right to purchase and did not purchase prior to
such termination. Your executor, administrator, guardian or custodian must
present proof of his authority satisfactory to the Company prior to being
allowed to exercise this option.

         In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of
shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets,
reorganization, conversion or what the Committee deems in its sole discretion to
be similar circumstances, the number and kind of shares subject to this option
and the option price of such shares shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner
to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

         In the event of a liquidation or proposed liquidation of the Company,
including (but not limited to) a transfer of assets followed by a liquidation of
the Company, or in the event of a Change of Control (as previously defined) or
proposed Change of Control, the Committee shall have the right to require you to
exercise this option upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to you. If at
the time such written notice is given this option is not otherwise exercisable,
the written notice will set forth your right to exercise this option even though
it is not otherwise exercisable. In the event this option is not exercised by
you within the thirty (30) day period set forth in such written notice, this
option shall terminate on the last day of such thirty (30) day period,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this option.





<PAGE>

         This option is not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your lifetime only by you,
including, for this purpose, your legal guardian or custodian in the event of
disability. Until the option price has been paid in full pursuant to due
exercise of this option and the purchased shares are delivered to you, you do
not have any rights as a shareholder of the Company. The Company reserves the
right not to deliver to you the shares purchased by virtue of the exercise of
this option during any period of time in which the Company deems, in its sole
discretion, that such delivery would violate a federal, state, local or
securities exchange rule, regulation or law.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this option
is not exercisable until all the following events occur and during the following
periods of time:

                  (a) Until this option and the optioned shares are approved
and/or registered with such federal, state and local regulatory bodies or
agencies and securities exchanges as the Company may deem necessary or
desirable;

                  (b) During any period of time in which the Company deems that
the exercisability of this option, the offer to sell the shares optioned
hereunder, or the sale thereof, may violate a federal, state, local or
securities exchange rule, regulation or law, or may cause the Company to be
legally obligated to issue or sell more shares than the Company is legally
entitled to issue or sell; or

                  (c) Until you have paid or made suitable arrangements to pay
(which may include payment through the surrender of Common Stock, unless
prohibited by the Committee) (i) all federal, state and local income tax
withholding required to be withheld by the Company in connection with the option
exercise and (ii) the employee's portion of other federal, state and local
payroll and other taxes due in connection with the option exercise.

         The following two paragraphs shall be applicable if, on the date of
exercise of this option, the Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such
exercise has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and under applicable state securities laws, and shall continue to be applicable
for so long as such registration has not occurred:





<PAGE>

                   (a) The optionee hereby agrees, warrants and represents that
he will acquire the Common Stock to be issued hereunder for his own account for
investment purposes only, and not with a view to, or in connection with, any
resale or other distribution of any of such shares, except as hereafter
permitted. The optionee further agrees that he will not at any time make any
offer, sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of such Common Stock to be
issued hereunder without an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state securities
laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company to the effect that the
proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration. The optionee shall
execute such instruments, representations, acknowledgements and agreements as
the Company may, in its sole discretion, deem advisable to avoid any violation
of federal, state, local or securities exchange rule, regulation or law.

                  (b) The certificates for Common Stock to be issued to the
optionee hereunder shall bear the following legend:

                  "The shares represented by this certificate have not been
         registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under
         applicable state securities laws. The shares have been acquired for
         investment and may not be offered, sold, transferred, pledged or
         otherwise disposed of without an effective registration statement under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state
         securities laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that
         the proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration."

         The foregoing legend shall be removed upon registration of the legended
shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable
state laws or upon receipt of any opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company
that said registration is no longer required.

         The sole purpose of the agreements, warranties, representations and
legend set forth in the two immediately preceding paragraphs is to prevent
violations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state
securities laws.

         It is the intention of the Company and you that this option shall not
be an "Incentive Stock Option" as that term is used in Section 422(b) of the
Code and the regulations thereunder.

         Nothing herein shall modify your status as an at-will employee of the
Company. Further, nothing herein guarantees you employment for any specified
period of time. This means that either you or the Company may terminate your
employment at any time for any reason, with or without cause, or for no reason.
You recognize that, for instance, you may terminate your employment or the
Company may terminate your employment prior to the date on which your option
becomes vested or exercisable.




<PAGE>

         Any dispute or disagreement between you and the Company with respect to
any portion of this option or its validity, construction, meaning, performance
or your rights hereunder shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association or its
successor, as amended from time to time. However, prior to submission to
arbitration you will attempt to resolve any disputes or disagreements with the
Company over this option amicably and informally, in good faith, for a period
not to exceed two weeks. Thereafter, the dispute or disagreement will be
submitted to arbitration. At any time prior to a decision from the arbitrator(s)
being rendered, you and the Company may resolve the dispute by settlement. You
and the Company shall equally share the costs charged by the American
Arbitration Association or its successor, but you and the Company shall
otherwise be solely responsible for your own respective counsel fees and
expenses. The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be made in writing, setting
forth the award, the reasons for the decision and award and shall be binding and
conclusive on you and the Company. Further, neither you nor the Company shall
appeal any such award. Judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction may be
entered upon the award and may be enforced as such in accordance with the
provisions of the award.

         This option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan in effect on the
date this option is granted, which terms are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and made a part hereof. In the event of any conflict between the terms
of this option and the terms of the Plan in effect on the date of this option,
the terms of the Plan shall govern. This option constitutes the entire
understanding between the Company and you with respect to the subject matter
hereof and no amendment, supplement or waiver of this option, in whole or in
part, shall be binding upon the Company unless in writing and signed by the
President of the Company. This option and the performances of the parties
hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

         Please sign the copy of this option and return it to the Company's
Secretary, thereby indicating your understanding of and agreement with its terms
and conditions.



                                                   Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.



                                                   By:__________________________

         I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the foregoing stock option
and, having read it hereby signify my understanding of, and my agreement with,
its terms and conditions.



______________________________                     _____________________________
(Signature)                                        (Date)



<PAGE>


                                  APPENDIX III

                    NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION FOR DIRECTORS
                            AND IMPORTANT CONSULTANTS


To:    ___________________________________________________________
                  Name


       ____________________________________________________________
                  Address


Date of Grant:  ___________________________________________________


         You are hereby granted an option, effective as of the date hereof, to
purchase __________ shares of common stock, par value $0.02 ("Common Stock"), of
Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), at a
price of $20.33 per share pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan").

         This option shall terminate and is not exercisable after ten years from
the date of its grant (the "Scheduled Termination Date"), except if terminated
earlier as hereafter provided.

         Your option may be exercised on and after the dates and to the extent
it has vested as provided below (minus the number of shares previously purchased
by exercise of the option and as adjusted for any change in the outstanding
shares of the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock
split, combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer
of assets, reorganization, conversion or what the Board of Directors deems in
its sole discretion to be similar circumstances):

             DATE                                       NUMBER OF SHARES VESTING

         January 1, 2002
         April 1, 2002
         July 1, 2002
         October 1, 2002
         January 1, 2003
         April 1, 2003
         July 1, 2003
         October 1, 2003
         January 1, 2004
         April 1, 2004
         July 1, 2004
         October 1, 2004
         January 1, 2005
         April 1, 2005
         July 1, 2005
         October 1, 2005
         ________________________
         TOTAL SHARES VESTING




<PAGE>

         In the event of a "Change of Control" (as defined below) of the
Company, your option may, from and after the date which is six months after the
Change of Control, and notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, be
exercised for up to 100% of the total number of shares then subject to the
option minus the number of shares previously purchased upon exercise of the
option (as adjusted for any change in the outstanding shares of the Common Stock
of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of
shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets,
reorganization, conversion or what the Committee deems in its sole discretion to
be similar circumstances) and your vesting date will accelerate accordingly. A
"Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred upon the happening of any
of the following events:

         1.       A change within a twelve-month period in the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company; or

         2.       Any other event deemed to constitute a "Change of Control" by
the Committee.

         You may exercise your option by giving written notice to the Secretary
of the Company on forms supplied by the Company at its then principal executive
office, accompanied by payment of the option price for the total number of
shares you specify that you wish to purchase. The payment may be in any of the
following forms: (a) cash, which may be evidenced by a check and includes cash
received from a stock brokerage firm in a so-called "cashless exercise"; (b)
(unless prohibited by the Committee) certificates representing shares of Common
Stock of the Company, which will be valued by the Secretary of the Company at
the fair market value per share of the Company's Common Stock (as determined in
accordance with the Plan) on the date of delivery of such certificates to the
Company, accompanied by an assignment of the stock to the Company; or (c)
(unless prohibited by the Committee) any combination of cash and Common Stock of
the Company valued as provided in clause (b). The use of the so-called
attestation procedure to exercise a stock option may be permitted by the
Committee. Any assignment of stock shall be in a form and substance satisfactory
to the Secretary of the Company, including guarantees of signature(s) and
payment of all transfer taxes if the Secretary deems such guarantees necessary
or desirable.

         Your option will, to the extent not previously exercised by you,
terminate three months after the date on which you cease for any reason to be a
director of, or consultant to, the Company or a subsidiary corporation (whether
by death, disability, resignation, removal, failure to be reappointed, reelected
or otherwise, or the expiration of any consulting arrangement, and regardless of
whether the failure to continue as a director or consultant was for cause or
without cause or otherwise), but in no event later than ten years from the date
this option is granted. After the date you cease to be a director or consultant,
you may exercise this option only for the number of shares which you had a right
to purchase and did not purchase on the date you ceased to be a director or
consultant. Provided you are willing to continue your employment for the Company
or a successor after a Change of Control at the same compensation you enjoyed
immediately prior to such Change of Control, if your employment is involuntarily
terminated without cause after a Change of Control, you may exercise this option
for the number of shares you would have had a right to purchase on the date of
an Acceleration Event. If you are a director of, or consultant to, a subsidiary
corporation, your directorship or consultancy shall be deemed to have terminated
on the date such company ceases to be a subsidiary corporation, unless you are
also a director of, or consultant to, the Company or another subsidiary
corporation, or on that date became a director of, or consultant to, the Company
or another subsidiary corporation. Your directorship or consultancy shall not be
deemed to have terminated if you cease being a director of, or consultant to,
the Company or a subsidiary corporation but are or concurrently therewith become
a director of, or consultant to, the Company or another subsidiary corporation.




<PAGE>

         In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of
shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets,
reorganization, conversion or what the Committee deems in its sole discretion to
be similar circumstances, the number and kind of shares subject to this option
and the option price of such shares shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner
to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

         In the event of a liquidation or proposed liquidation of the Company,
including (but not limited to) a transfer of assets followed by a liquidation of
the Company, or in the event of a Change of Control (as previously defined) or
proposed Change of Control, the Committee shall have the right to require you to
exercise this option upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to you. If at
the time such written notice is given this option is not otherwise exercisable,
the written notice will set forth your right to exercise this option even though
it is not otherwise exercisable. In the event this option is not exercised by
you within the thirty (30) day period set forth in such written notice, this
option shall terminate on the last day of such thirty (30) day period,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this option.

         This option is not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your lifetime only by you,
including, for this purpose, your legal guardian or custodian in the event of
disability. Until the option price has been paid in full pursuant to due
exercise of this option and the purchased shares are delivered to you, you do
not have any rights as a shareholder of the Company. The Company reserves the
right not to deliver to you the shares purchased by virtue of the exercise of
this option during any period of time in which the Company deems, in its sole
discretion, that such delivery would violate a federal, state, local or
securities exchange rule, regulation or law.




<PAGE>

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this option
is not exercisable until all the following events occur and during the following
periods of time:

                  (a) Until this option and the optioned shares are approved
and/or registered with such federal, state and local regulatory bodies or
agencies and securities exchanges as the Company may deem necessary or
desirable;

                  (b) During any period of time in which the Company deems that
the exercisability of this option, the offer to sell the shares optioned
hereunder, or the sale thereof, may violate a federal, state, local or
securities exchange rule, regulation or law, or may cause the Company to be
legally obligated to issue or sell more shares than the Company is legally
entitled to issue or sell; or

                  (c) Until you have paid or made suitable arrangements to pay
(which may include payment through the surrender of Common Stock, unless
prohibited by the Committee) (i) all federal, state and local income tax
withholding required to be withheld by the Company in connection with the option
exercise and (ii) the employee's portion of other federal, state and local
payroll and other taxes due in connection with the option exercise.

         The following two paragraphs shall be applicable if, on the date of
exercise of this option, the Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such
exercise has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and under applicable state securities laws, and shall continue to be applicable
for so long as such registration has not occurred:

                  (a) The optionee hereby agrees, warrants and represents that
he will acquire the Common Stock to be issued hereunder for his own account for
investment purposes only, and not with a view to, or in connection with, any
resale or other distribution of any of such shares, except as hereafter
permitted. The optionee further agrees that he will not at any time make any
offer, sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of such Common Stock to be
issued hereunder without an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state securities
laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company to the effect that the
proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration. The optionee shall
execute such instruments, representations, acknowledgments and agreements as the
Company may, in its sole discretion, deem advisable to avoid any violation of
federal, state, local or securities exchange rule, regulation or law.

                  (b)      The certificates for Common Stock to be issued to the
optionee hereunder shall bear the following legend:






<PAGE>

                  "The shares represented by this certificate have not been
         registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under
         applicable state securities laws. The shares have been acquired for
         investment and may not be offered, sold, transferred, pledged or
         otherwise disposed of without an effective registration statement under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state
         securities laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that
         the proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration."

         The foregoing legend shall be removed upon registration of the legended
shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable
state laws or upon receipt of any opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company
that said registration is no longer required.

         The sole purpose of the agreements, warranties, representations and
legend set forth in the two immediately preceding paragraphs is to prevent
violations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state
securities laws.

         It is the intention of the Company and you that this option shall not
be an "Incentive Stock Option" as that term is used in Section 422(b) of the
Code and the regulations thereunder.

         Nothing herein guarantees your term as a director of, or consultant to,
the Company for any specified period of time. This means that either you or the
Company may terminate your relationship with the Company at any time for any
reason, with or without cause, or for no reason. You recognize that, for
instance, the Company may terminate your relationship with the Company prior to
the date on which your option becomes vested or exercisable.

         Any dispute or disagreement between you and the Company with respect to
any portion of this option or its validity, construction, meaning, performance
or your rights hereunder shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association or its
successor, as amended from time to time. However, prior to submission to
arbitration you will attempt to resolve any disputes or disagreements with the
Company over this option amicably and informally, in good faith, for a period
not to exceed two weeks. Thereafter, the dispute or disagreement will be
submitted to arbitration. At any time prior to a decision from the arbitrator(s)
being rendered, you and the Company may resolve the dispute by settlement. You
and the Company shall equally share the costs charged by the American
Arbitration Association or its successor, but you and the Company shall
otherwise be solely responsible for your own respective counsel fees and
expenses. The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be made in writing, setting
forth the award, the reasons for the decision and award and shall be binding and
conclusive on you and the Company. Further, neither you nor the Company shall
appeal any such award. Judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction may be
entered upon the award and may be enforced as such in accordance with the
provisions of the award.




<PAGE>

         This option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan in effect on the
date this option is granted, which terms are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and made a part hereof. In the event of any conflict between the terms
of this option and the terms of the Plan in effect on the date of this option,
the terms of the Plan shall govern. This option constitutes the entire
understanding between the Company and you with respect to the subject matter
hereof and no amendment, supplement or waiver of this option, in whole or in
part, shall be binding upon the Company unless in writing and signed by the
President of the Company. This option and the performances of the parties
hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

         Please sign the copy of this option and return it to the Company's
Secretary, thereby indicating your understanding of and agreement with its terms
and conditions.



                                                   Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.



                                                   By: _________________________





         I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the foregoing stock option
and, having read it hereby signify my understanding of, and my agreement with,
its terms and conditions.


___________________________                        _____________________________
(Signature)                                        (Date)