HDMA Applauds Congressmen Buyer (R-IN) and Matheson (D-UT) For Introducing Uniform Federal Pedigree Requirements to Further Enhance Patient Safety, Supply Chai...( Nation's Primary Healthcare Distr...),Health

Nation's Primary Healthcare Distributors Committed to Ongoing Work With Supply Chain Partners, Government and Law Enforcement on Track-and-Trace Initiatives to Combat Counterfeiting

ARLINGTON, Va., April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA), the national association representing primary healthcare distributors, applauds U.S. Representatives Steve Buyer (R-IN) and Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) for introducing the Safeguarding America's Pharmaceuticals Act of 2008 (HR 5839), comprehensive bipartisan legislation that would establish uniform, federal requirements for the tracking and tracing of prescription medicines from the manufacturer, to the distributor, to the pharmacy. Part of an overall strategy to help combat criminal counterfeiting, the legislation will strengthen current federal laws and regulations and further secure the nation's prescription medicine supply.

"We thank Congressmen Buyer and Matheson for their commitment and leadership on this complex issue, and we will continue to work with them on this critically important legislation. We believe this bill provides a strong, nationwide framework to further enhance patient safety, and creates the uniformity needed to systematically deploy compatible track-and-trace technologies across the national supply chain," said HDMA President and CEO John M. Gray. "HDMA and our primary healthcare distributor members have zero tolerance for criminal counterfeiting, diversion, adulteration and misbranding of prescription medicines. For many years, HDMA has advocated for uniform federal pedigree requirements that enhance the safety of the nation's prescription medicine supply."

If enacted, HR 5839 would establish rigorous new pedigree requirements that will apply uniformly across all 50 states. States would continue their important role in licensing and enforcement. The bill would require pedigrees on all prescription medicines sold in the Uni
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