HDMA PARTNERS WITH RxPATROL TO PREVENT PRESCRIPTION DRUG COUNTERFEITING, PHARMACY THEFT

Alliance Further Enhances HDMA Efforts to Protect Patient Safety and Supply Chain Security

Arlington, VA—June 20, 2006 — In an effort to combat the theft and illegal trafficking of prescription medications and further enhance supply chain security, the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) today joins a partnership of law enforcement and professional pharmacy organizations using RxPATROL®, an information clearinghouse designed to collect, analyze and share information on pharmacy robberies, burglaries and theft of controlled substances.  

RxPATROL (Pattern Analysis Tracking Robberies and Other Losses) is designed to help pharmacists guard against potential robberies and burglaries, and to assist law enforcement efforts to apprehend and prosecute pharmacy theft suspects. RxPATROL is the only national information clearinghouse and database for pharmacy crime. The system allows pharmacy personnel and law enforcement agencies to quickly and easily submit a comprehensive theft report to a secure Internet web site.  The report captures a wide range of relevant information, including crime type (e.g., robbery, burglary and fraud), suspect description, modus operandi and security resources necessary to deter theft, such as closed circuit cameras, alarms, reinforced doors and locks, etc. 

Using a state-of-the-art software program, RxPATROL collects, collates and analyzes information from pharmacy theft reports.  The data and analyses, which include streaming video and closed circuit television photos when available, are disseminated to law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.  Local law enforcement and pharmacy operators can search the database 24-hours a day, seven days a week to identify trends and patterns of pharmacy crime.

As part of the partnership, HDMA has implemented a process whereby its members can report incidents of any type of theft to RxPATROL.  Additionally, all HDMA members will receive a security report - developed by RxPATROL using crime trend analyses and security/vulnerability assessments - offering guidance on how to minimize the risk of theft-related crime. 

“HDMA’s top priority is patient safety.  RxPATROL is a critically important initiative to help track down and prosecute criminals who steal, divert and counterfeit medicines,” said John M. Gray, HDMA President and CEO. “This program will help HDMA continue our commitment and ongoing efforts to develop a multi-layered battle plan that further ensures the security of the supply chain. HDMA believes it is the shared responsibility of manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies to continue to build a strong, industry-wide network that is committed to 21st Century anti-crime solutions.

“HDMA’s members deliver nine million prescription drugs and healthcare products daily to more than 142,000 pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and physician offices nationwide,” continued Gray. “These primary, full-service distributors are committed to a strong chain of custody for medicines and they have an essential role at the center of the healthcare supply chain. We will continue to work daily with all links in the supply chain, federal and state regulatory authorities, and law enforcement to advance the safe, secure and efficient delivery of healthcare products.”

Additionally, HDMA and the nation’s primary healthcare distributors strongly support:

• Stricter, more uniform distributor licensing standards and pedigree requirements to ensure consistency across the 50 states;
• Tougher regulation, stronger law enforcement and harsher criminal penalties for the crime of counterfeiting medicine;
• The adoption of current and emerging anti-counterfeiting technologies;
• The development of new research and business innovations.

“RxPatrol has been shown to be an effective tool for law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting pharmacy theft cases,” said Tom Stone, Executive Director of the FBI-LEEDA, an RxPatrol partner organization.  “We’re encouraged that the pharmacy community is committed to using this resource to help protect their businesses, employees and customers.”

RxPatrol also works with Crime Stoppers to offer rewards for information leading to arrests for pharmacy crime.  Created in May 2003, RxPATROL has been credited with aiding in 17 arrests to date.

RxPatrol was launched in June 2003 by pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma, L.P. and a partnership of law enforcement and pharmacy organizations, including the National Community Pharmacist Association (NCPA), the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), the Pharmaceutical Security Institute and FBI-LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association).   The program is funded by Purdue Pharma L.P.  Additional information about RxPATROL is available at www.rxpatrol.org.

About HDMA
The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) and its members are committed to patient safety by delivering life-saving health products and services through a secure and efficient healthcare distribution system.  These primary, full-service healthcare distributors are responsible for ensuring that billions of units of medication are safely delivered -- to tens of thousands of retail pharmacies, nursing homes, clinics and providers -- in all 50 states. HDMA and its members are the vital link in the healthcare system that is responsible for medicine safety, quality, integrity and availability in the marketplace.  Through leadership on public policy and industry best practices, HDMA and its members focus on providing value, removing costs and developing innovative solutions to deliver care safely and effectively.  For more information, please visit www.HealthcareDistribution.org.