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Latta Receives RX Safety and Healthcare Leadership Award

Washington, DC, September 19, 2013 | Laura Strange (202-225-6405)

Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) received the Healthcare Distribution Management Association’s (HDMA) Rx Safety and Leadership Award (Rx Award) for his leadership and commitment to advancing policies that enhance patient safety and security of the pharmaceutical  distribution supply chain nationwide. 

Congressmen Latta, along with Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT), are the sponsors of H.R. 1919, the Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act, a bipartisan bill to strengthen and secure the nation’s pharmaceutical distribution supply chain.

“The pharmaceutical supply chain is a central link in our health care system and it is essential that we work to get the various sectors of it uniformly joined in a safe, secure and efficient manner,” said Latta. “I am honored to receive this award on behalf of HDMA and look forward to working towards policies that keep the distribution supply chain secure and protect our nation’s patients from counterfeit and adulterated drugs.”

“The HDMA Rx Award reflects our industry’s sincere appreciation for Rep. Latta’s commitment to ensuring that the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain is safe and secure for all Americans,” said HDMA President and CEO John M. Gray. “Rep. Latta has been a true partner with HDMA and our pharmaceutical distributor members and, without his efforts, we would not be on the cusp of creating this important federal traceability solution.”          

H.R. 1919 establishes a national standard of tracing requirements for manufacturers, wholesale distributors, pharmacies and repackagers based on changes in ownership. Further, it requires the affiliates of the supply chain, including third-party logistics providers to undertake verification and notification activities regarding suspect or illegitimate products. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1919, the Safeguarding America's Pharmaceuticals Act of 2013, on June 3, 2013.

Along with Congressman Latta, additional winners from this year include Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT). HDMA is the national association representing primary healthcare distributors, the vital link in the healthcare system.

 

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