HDMA CO-SPONSORS IMPORT SAFETY SUMMIT AS PART OF AN ONGOING COMMITMENT TO PATIENT SAFETY AND SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY

Arlington, VA – July 3, 2008 – The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA), the national association representing primary healthcare distributors, will co-sponsor the Import Safety Summit on July 9, 2008, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC. This first-of-its-kind Summit is designed to bring together a broad cross-section of industries and government officials to discuss current efforts and best practices to protect consumer health and safety.

“HDMA is pleased to co-sponsor this Summit, and we look forward to discussing how we work daily with all links in the healthcare supply chain to enhance patient safety,” said HDMA President and CEO, John M. Gray. “HDMA has a strong record of exploring and implementing continuous improvements in this domestic supply chain. For many years, we have led the development of industry guidelines, research and education programs to review and strengthen safety and security measures currently in place. As logistics and operations experts, our members have led a broad range of industry-wide working groups and forums to support cooperation and coordination across the supply chain, enhance patient safety and continue exploration of 21st Century security technologies.”

The Import Safety Summit will feature a series of moderated discussions on food safety, healthcare safety, standards-setting initiatives and consumer products safety. HDMA will co-sponsor this important event with American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Consumer Health Products Association (CHPA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), National Fisheries Institute (NFI), National Restaurant Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and Toy Industry Association (TIA).

To view the full agenda and summary of the event, please click here: http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=e4bb898f-5e1f-4647-88cb-3ad41ffcfdb6

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.