Drug wholesaler group lauds innovation

PALM DESERT, Calif. The Healthcare Distribution Management Association has cited individuals representing two of its member companies for their efforts to improve the pharmaceutical and health care supply chain.

HDMA presented its 2008 Innovation for Success Awards to distribution company leaders at the annual Business Partners Exchange here. The awards go to those who “demonstrate the value of distribution by developing creative and results-oriented programs and processes that benefit the healthcare supply chain, customers and consumers,” according to Amanda Forster, spokeswoman for the wholesale industry group.

Named 2008 IFS Award winners are Diane McLean, director of supplier processes for McKesson Corp.; and Dennis Harvey, director of information technology for Burlington Drug Co.

HDMA associate manufacturer members nominate healthcare distributors for IFS awards, which are broken into two categories to honor individuals from both larger and second-tier drug distribution companies.

“The 2008 IFS honorees implemented creative new technologies to improve the customer ordering experience, automate traditionally manual processes and enhance data sharing among trading partners,” said HDMA president and chief executive officer John Gray. “The paperless, customer-centric programs implemented by this year’s IFS winners improved information accuracy and timeliness, as well as the quality of trading partner communications.”