H. D. Smith announces Trading Partners of the Year recipients

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Pharmaceutical wholesaler H. D. Smith on Wednesday announced the winners of its annual Trading Partners of the Year award.

The award recognizes pharmaceutical and health products manufacturers that “collaborate actively to grow the industry and advance patient care,” the company said. Selection criteria is based on trade volume, trade policies and overall sales in H. D. Smith’s four product divisions.

This year's winners are:

• 
  Brand and Specialty Pharmaceuticals: Daiichi-Sankyo, Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


• 
  Generic Pharmaceuticals: Alvogen Inc. and Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


• 
  Health, Beauty and Wellness Products: The Emerson Group and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products


• 
  Home Healthcare Products: Scott Specialties and First Quality

“Continually building on the foundation of strong relationships with our industry partners is critical to H. D. Smith's success in the market,” Chris Smith, president and CEO of H. D. Smith, said. “To honor our trading partners, we present them with awards highlighting how important their partnership is to us.”

The awards were presented at the 17th annual H. D. Smith National Sales & Management Conference, which “emphasizes the company's position to partner and innovate within the ever-evolving healthcare industry to ensure the nation’s specialty and retail pharmacies have access to essential products,” the company said.

"Since our founding in 1954, we have been committed to being a strategic ally to our trading partners,” Dale Smith, chairman and CEO of H. D. Smith Holding Company, said. “The process of moving essential healthcare products throughout the supply chain is complex, and critical to our nation's health.”

Smith cited the importance of having a close relationship with trading partners.

“Healthcare innovation, economics and patient needs demand that our company evolve constantly,” he said. “Having a strong relationship with our trading partners makes it possible for us to meet that demand and support patient wellness.”