HDMA COMMENDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO COMBAT ILLEGAL ONLINE SALES OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES

Arlington, VA – September 24, 2008 – The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) commends the U.S. House of Representatives on the passage of H.R.6353, the “Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Protection Act” to further combat the illegal online sales of prescription medicines.

Similar legislation, also supported by HDMA, was passed in the Senate in April 2008. Both bills mandate that no controlled substance can be purchased via the internet without a valid prescription by a healthcare practitioner who has physically examined the patient at least once.

"HDMA believes the House and Senate bills are critically important measures to help ensure that prescription medicines can only be dispensed by legitimate, licensed pharmacies to patients.” said John M. Gray, HDMA President and CEO. “Prescription medicine abuse is a growing problem, facilitated in part by a pattern of illegal activity on the Internet. HDMA’s member companies strongly support these and other efforts to monitor and enhance the safety and security of the healthcare supply chain.” Gray added.

"Patient safety is our members’ top priority and we support measures to prosecute these rogue Internet criminals to the fullest extent of the law,” said Scott Melville, HDMA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. “Keeping our supply chain safe is a joint industry and government effort. For many years, HDMA has been a strong supporter of supply chain safety and security improvements, and we work each day with manufacturers, pharmacies, legislators, regulators and law enforcement to continuously monitor and enhance security measures in place today," continued Melville.

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.