ARLINGTON, Va. — The Health Care Distribution Management Association (HDMA) recognized pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturers with awards at its 2013 Business and Leadership Conference.
At the event, held June 2 to 5 in Orlando, Fla., HDMA presented its Distribution Industry Awards for Notable Achievements in Healthcare (DIANA awards) and, for the first time, the HDMA Manufacturer Partner of the Year Awards.
In addition, HDMA’s Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research and Genentech Inc. honored Robert Belknap, executive director of trade sales and operations at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., with the 2013 Nexus Award for Lifetime Achievement.
The DIANA awards recognize pharmaceutical manufacturers and consumer goods manufacturers for developing innovative new products and promotions for the health care distribution industry. Companies also are honored for fostering strong trading partner relationships with HDMA’s primary distributor members. The HDMA Manufacturer Partner of the Year Awards recognize manufacturers for their active participation in the association.
This year’s Manufacturer Partner of the Year Winners are Teva Pharmaceuticals USA (sales to health care distributors of more than $50 million) and Amneal Pharmaceuticals (sales to health care distributors of less than $50 million).
The 2013 DIANA winners, in best product/promotion and overall manufacturer categories, are the following:
• Best New Product Introduction or Product Promotion Awards
Branded Pharmaceuticals: Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc. for Tudorza Pressair Inhaler
Generic Pharmaceuticals: Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. for Cidofovir Injection
Rx Support Systems, Supplies and Service Products: Broadway Industries for Health Awareness Pharmacy Bags
OTC and Home Health Care Products: Merck Consumer Care for Dr. Scholl’s Active Series Replacement Insoles
• Best Overall Manufacturer Awards Winners
Consumer Product Manufacturer (sales to health care distributors of less than $10 million): Broadway Industries
Consumer Product Manufacturer (sales to health care distributors of more than $10 million): BD Medical – Diabetes Care
Generic Pharmaceuticals Manufacturer (sales to health care distributors of less than $100 million): Alvogen Inc.
Generic Pharmaceuticals Manufacturer (sales to health care distributors of more than $100 million): Amneal Pharmaceuticals
Branded Pharmaceuticals Manufacturer (sales to health care distributors of less than $300 million): Upsher-Smith Laboratories Inc.
Branded Pharmaceuticals Manufacturer (sales to health care distributors of more than $300 million): Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals
"We are pleased to present these awards this year to honor our manufacturing trading partners, who go above and beyond to launch innovative products, foster strong relationships with HDMA distributor members and generously donate their time and efforts to our Association," stated HDMA president and chief executive officer John Gray. "We congratulate them on their achievements."
The Nexus Award is the distribution industry’s highest achievement, recognizing exceptional character and accomplishments as well as leadership in HDMA, the industry and the community. With over 30 years of experience in the consumer goods, pharmaceutical and specialty pharmacy industries, Boehringer Ingelheim’s Belknap has participated in more than 20 pharmaceutical product launches — including Protonix, Pradaxa and Enbrel — and has led numerous pharmacy marketing efforts in all classes of trade, HDMA said, adding that he also is known for building consensus among key supply chain stakeholders.
"An active supporter of the distribution industry, Bob is the embodiment of the Nexus Award, both in his contributions to this industry and his community," Gray commented. "We congratulate him on this notable achievement."
In his current role at Boehringer Ingelheim, Belknap is a recognized expert in the area of fee-for-service contracts and pharmacy marketing, including medication therapy management, patient adherence and compliance. He also is an active supporter of HDMA and the Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, participating in the association’s Industry Relations Council — most notably, serving as chairman of the center in 2009 and 2010. He continues to serve on the board today.
"The center owes a great deal to Bob’s strong leadership," stated Karen Ribler, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research. "The financial success achieved during his years as chairman, and his unwavering support for projects such as the HDMA Factbook and the annual CEO Roundtable fundraiser, provided a foundation that strengthened the center’s brand in the years to follow."
