HDMA strengthens government affairs team

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Healthcare Distribution Management Association announced Thursday that Gary Riddle has joined the association as VP state government affairs and that it has promoted Kristen Freitas from senior director to VP federal government affairs. 

 

“Gary and Kristen have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical industry issues,” said HDMA president and CEO John Gray. “Their combined industry and association experience — along with a proven ability to build relationships with healthcare stakeholders and public officials — are an asset to HDMA and its distributor members.” 

 

In his position, Riddle will lead HDMA’s state government affairs activities, working closely with HDMA’s pharmaceutical distributor members to develop and implement strategies on state legislative and regulatory issues affecting the supply chain. 

 

Most recently, Riddle served as senior state government affairs manager for Eisai, where he directed advocacy efforts in the Greater Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. He also held government affairs positions at Schering-Plough and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. Additionally, Riddle served as a health legislative assistant for Sen. Chuck Robb, D-Va. 

 

He holds an MPA from The George Washington University and a BS in Health Administration from James Madison University. 

 

As HDMA’s senior director of federal government affairs, Freitas has been instrumental in building relationships on Capitol Hill that have contributed to the association’s recent legislative successes, including the passage of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2015 (H.R. 471) by the House of Representatives. In her new position, Freitas will continue to lead HDMA’s federal advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill along with managing HDMA’s PAC and other grassroots activities. 

 

Prior to joining HDMA, Freitas worked as manager, government affairs for PacifiCare Health Systems, and before that, for a specialty nursing association as well as the National Association for Chain Drug Stores. Prior to NACDS, she served as a director of outreach for former Rep. Dick Chrysler, R-Mich. 

 

Freitas holds a degree in International Relations from Michigan State University and an MPA from George Mason University.