Reston, VA March 21, 2005— The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) awarded its prestigious Innovation for Success Awards (IFS) to four outstanding member company executives who have implemented creative, new solutions to streamline and improve the process of healthcare distribution. This year’s award winners have developed business strategies that improve logistical efficiencies, optimize product supply levels, enhance product marketing and improve customer service.

The 2005 IFS Award winners are:

• Rx National Award—Martha Torres-Morgan, Director, Brand Rx Pharmaceutical Product Management, McKesson Supply Solutions
• Rx Regional Award – William Hurst, Branded Rx Product Manager, Kinray Inc.
• Consumer – Tammy Lewis, Category Manager, and Dan Ciucki, Business Manager, both of Cardinal Health, Inc.

“The 2005 IFS Award winners are responsible for developing strategic initiatives that have enhanced business efficiencies and improved supply chain dynamics,” says HDMA President and CEO John M. Gray. “This year’s honorees have done much to demonstrate the value of distribution to manufacturers, to healthcare providers and to consumers.”

The Innovation for Success program consists of two major product categories: 1) prescription pharmaceuticals, and 2) consumer products and over-the-counter (OTC) products. Nominations are solicited from HDMA member companies. Awards are given to a national and a regional distributor in the prescription category; a single award is given in the consumer category.

The 2005 Marketing Conference, currently being held in Hollywood, Fla., features two days of business meetings with healthcare product manufacturers, health service providers and healthcare distributors. HDMA’s 2006 Marketing Conference will be held on March 6-7 in Grapevine, TX. For more information about the 2006 Innovation for Success Awards or the 2006 HDMA Marketing Conference, contact HDMA at 703-787-0000 or visit the HDMA Web site at www.HealthcareDistribution.org.

About HDMA
The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) is the national association representing primary, full-service healthcare distributors. Each business day, the member companies of HDMA are responsible for ensuring that more than eight million prescription medicines and healthcare products are safely delivered to 145,000 pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, clinics, government and other providers in all 50 states. This essential public health function is provided with tremendous efficiency, saving the nation’s healthcare system nearly $32 billion each year. HDMA and its members are the vital link in the healthcare system, working daily to provide value, remove costs and develop innovative solutions to deliver care safely and effectively.