Commends Congressmen Buyer (R-IN) and Jim Matheson (D-UT) for their commitment to improving the healthcare supply chain.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA), the trade association representing medical products distributors since 1902, applauds Congressmen Steve Buyer (R-IN) and Jim Matheson (D-UT) for introducing the bipartisan H.R. 5839, the Safeguarding America's Pharmaceuticals Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Additional original co-sponsors of the bill include Congressmen Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Gene Green (D-TX).



Matthew J. Rowan, President and Chief Executive Officer of HIDA, issued the following statement on the introduction of H.R. 5839:



"HIDA is a strong supporter of this important legislation because it creates a single, national pedigree standard and ensures that distributors can reasonably comply with federal pedigree regulations. Licensed distributors provide immense value by efficiently delivering critical products to a range of diverse providers -- H.R. 5839 recognizes the importance of securing and maintaining this essential supply chain.



"HIDA member distributors are committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of the prescription products supply chain. H.R. 5839 will achieve the goals of supply chain safety and efficiency and ensures that providers will receive the critical medical products they need to serve their patients.



"HIDA has worked with key members of the House and Senate on this important issue for the last 18 months. We will continue to work with our contacts in the House, Senate, FDA, HHS, and other stakeholder groups to ensure the essential goals of this legislation are met."



The Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) is the premier international trade association representing medical products distributors. HIDA members primarily serve the nation's hospital, long term care, and physician/alternate care markets. For more information, contact HIDA at (703) 549-4432 or visit www.HIDA.org.



SOURCE HEALTH INDUSTRY DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION