HDMA RECOGNIZES LEADING PHARMACEUTICAL AND CONSUMER PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS AT THE 50th ANNUAL DIANA RECEPTION

ARLINGTON, Va.– October 16, 2009 – The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) honored excellence in pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturing with the presentation of 10 Distribution Industry Awards for Notable Achievements in Healthcare (DIANA). Winners were announced at the Association’s 2009 Annual Leadership Forum in Orlando, Florida.

Every year, HDMA awards the DIANA to manufacturers that excel in their new product introductions and product promotions. The DIANA also recognizes companies that have developed innovative, results-oriented business practices that have strengthened partnerships with the Association’s primary healthcare distributor members and benefit the entire healthcare supply chain. Manufacturers submitted entries for Best New Product Introduction and/or Product Promotion Awards. Winners in the Best Overall Manufacturer Categories were nominated by HDMA distributor members.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the DIANA, which debuted at the 1959 annual meeting of the National Wholesale Druggists’ Association (NWDA). The award was proposed by NWDA Secretary Harry Kimbriel, who believed an “industrial ‘Oscar’ award should be presented to the associate member companies with especially outstanding packages and selling sheets.” Since the first DIANAs were presented, many manufacturers have been honored for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the healthcare supply chain.

The 2009 DIANA winners were chosen by a panel of judges composed of HDMA distributor members. The nominees were judged on criteria that measure key aspects of successful performance in the healthcare supply chain, including category sales growth, promotional programs, market performance, technology adoption and operational excellence.

“We congratulate the 2009 DIANA winners, who join an exclusive circle of companies that have been recognized by the distributor community for their leadership and ingenuity,” said HDMA President and CEO John M. Gray.  “HDMA manufacturer members continue to offer innovative solutions each year, strengthen relationships with supply chain partners and ensure the safe delivery of lifesaving medications to patients across the country.”

50th Anniversary DIANA Winners:

Best New Consumer Product Introduction and/or Product Promotion Award

Over-the-Counter Products: Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, for Claritin® Liqui-Gels®

Best New Pharmaceutical Product Introduction and/or Product Promotion Awards

Branded Pharmaceutical Products: Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., for Kapidex™ and Uloric®

Generic Pharmaceutical Products: Paddock Laboratories, Inc., for Kionex® Suspension

Rx Support Systems, Supplies and Service Products: Rexam PLC, for Rexam Recycle Oval

Best Overall Manufacturer Awards:

Consumer Products Manufacturer with Sales to HDMA Distributors of Less Than $10 Million:
Winner: Broadway Industries
First Merit Finalist: Cara Incorporated
Second Merit Finalist: National Vitamin Company, Inc.

Consumer Products Manufacturer with Sales to HDMA Distributors of More Than $10 Million:
Winner: Schering-Plough HealthCare Products
First Merit Finalist: Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.
Second Merit Finalist: 3M Consumer Health Care

Generic Products Manufacturer with Sales to Healthcare Distributors of Less Than $100 Million:
Winner: Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc.
First Merit Finalist: Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
Second Merit Finalist: Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Generic Products Manufacturer with Sales to Healthcare Distributors of More Than
$100 Million:
Winner: Watson Laboratories, Inc., a subsidiary of Watson Pharma Inc.
First Merit Finalists: Sandoz and TEVA Pharmaceuticals USA
Second Merit Finalist: Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Branded Pharmaceutical Products Manufacturer With Sales to HDMA Distributors of Less Than
$300 Million:
Winner: Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
First Merit Finalist: Kerr Prescription Packaging, a subsidiary of Berry Plastics Corp.
Second Merit Finalist: Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care

Branded Pharmaceutical Products Manufacturer With Sales to HDMA Distributors of More Than
$300 Million:
Winner: Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
First Merit Finalist: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Second Merit Finalists: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

About HDMA
HDMA is the national association representing primary healthcare distributors, the vital link in the healthcare system. Each business day, HDMA member companies ensure that more than nine million prescription medicines and healthcare products are safely delivered to more than 165,000 pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, clinics and others nationwide. HDMA and its members work daily to provide value and contain costs, saving the nation’s healthcare system an estimated $32 billion per year.