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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David McDonough
Phone: 703-243-9262

HIGPA's 2002 National Pharmacy Forum to be Held Feb. 20-22;
Leading Industry Experts Scheduled to Discuss & Debate Critical Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 21, 2002) - The Health Industry Group Purchasing Association's (HIGPA) 2002 National Pharmacy Forum will be held Feb. 20-22 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. This annual gathering of pharmaceutical industry leaders will feature lively debate and discussion about a variety of issues facing pharmaceutical purchasers, supplier and distributors.

"The 2002 National Pharmacy Forum features a renowned faculty of experts from the pharmaceutical purchasing, supply and distribution sectors, as well as academic and health policy leaders," said Robert Betz, Ph.D., HIGPA president & CEO. "If past Pharmacy Forum's are any indication of future success, the 2002 meeting will be a critical meeting, enabling a candid and open discussion of the challenges and opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry in the coming year."

Topics will include sessions on: federal health policy; future drivers in pharmaceutical purchasing; shortages and stockpiling; pharmaceutical innovations; medical errors; mergers and acquisitions; the value of new drugs; and general trends in pharmaceutical purchasing. Speakers range from Michael McCaughan, editor-in-chief of the Pink Sheet; to Doug Long, vice president at IMS Health; to Rand Ballard, president, GPO businesses at MedAssets Inc.; to Frank Lichtenberg, Ph.D., professor of business at Columbia University.

HIGPA's 2002 National Pharmacy Forum's sponsors include: GlaxoSmithKline, Silver Sponsor; AstraZeneca, Bronze Sponsor; Merck, Bronze Sponsor; Wyeth-Ayerst Healthcare Systems, Bronze Sponsor; Pharmacia, Opening Session Sponsor; and, Lilly, Chairman's Reception Sponsor.

HIGPA is a chartered trade association of approximately 170 health care purchasing and supply chain organizations that serve approximately three out of every four U.S. acute care hospitals, as well as most of the long term care, home care and medical group practice markets. HIGPA's Trading Partner members include many of the world's leading health care product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and related suppliers. HIGPA's Industry Members include purchasing groups, associations, multi-hospital systems, and health care provider alliances. According to a recent study conducted by a former principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, hospitals save patients approximately $20 billion each year by purchasing products through group contracts.

To learn more about HIGPA, visit www.higpa.org or call 703-243-9262.

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