HIGPA Holds Pharmacy Forum for Healthcare Purchasing Managers

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Senior healthcare purchasing executives and supply chain professionals will gather with a renowned faculty at the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA)'s 2004 National Pharmacy Forum, scheduled for Feb. 9-11, 2004 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey, Calif., to debate critical issues facing pharmaceutical supply chain businesses that will shape the future of the healthcare system.

The emphasis of this year's forum is on safety issues surrounding the pharmaceutical supply chain. The specific topics that will be discussed include the impact on the supply chain regarding increased financial pressures on providers, a federal health care policy update, and patient safety and worker safety strategies. Additionally, attendees will be given an opportunity to hear timely discussions on importation and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and an update on the business practice ethics of the industry. The speaker line-up includes several prominent scholars, hospital pharmacy executives, and expert legal counsels in the healthcare regulatory field.

"HIGPA is pleased to continue to offer a forum for networking and education among buyers, manufacturers and suppliers of pharmaceuticals in 2004," Robert Betz, PhD, HIGPA president and CEO. "Healthcare executives will find this year's forum extremely beneficial as the industry deals with the increased scrutiny from the press, lawmakers and citizens concerning supply chain safety issues."

HIGPA is a chartered trade association of 175-plus healthcare purchasing and supply chain organizations. HIGPA's industry members include purchasing groups, associations, and healthcare provider alliances, while its trading partner members include many of the world's leading healthcare product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and related suppliers.

According to a recent study conducted by a former principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, hospitals save patients more than $30 billion each year by purchasing products through group contracts.

Source: HIGPA