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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Hickey
Phone: 703-243-9262

Arlington, VA (December 19, 2002) - Leading experts, group purchasing executives and senior level pharmaceutical representatives will gather at the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association's (HIGPA) 2003 National Pharmacy Forum, scheduled for February 3-5 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Half Moon Bay, California, to discuss critical issues facing pharmaceutical related businesses in the health care supply chain.

Topics to be discussed include the pharmaceutical and group purchasing industry's codes of conduct, a federal policy update, the industry's response to drug shortages, industry consolidation, future trends, and an examination of the Best Price Law. Additionally, attendees will be given an opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion on either the latest trends in product packaging or the impact of recent business litigation cases on the pharmaceutical industry. Among the many speakers lined-up for this year's Forum include several prominent legal counsels, including HIGPA's outside anti-trust advisor, Michael McCaughan editor-in-chief of The Pink Sheet and several senior executives from the nation's leading group purchasing organizations.

"A renowned faculty, early registrants and session topics all indicate that the 2003 National Pharmacy Forum will be an important event for buyers, sellers and distributors of pharmaceuticals interested in learning more about where the industry is headed over the next several years," said HIGPA President and CEO Robert Betz, Ph.D.

HIGPA's 2003 National Pharmacy Forum's sponsors include: Silver Sponsors Pharmacia and Gensiasicor and Bronze Sponsors AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and Aventis Pharmaceuticals. Other companies sponsoring this year's event include Eli Lilly and Merck & Co., Inc.

HIGPA is a chartered trade association of approximately 165 health care purchasing and supply chain organizations. HIGPA's Industry Members include purchasing groups, associations, and health care provider alliances. HIGPA's Trading Partner members include many of the world's leading health care 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 over $30 billion each year by purchasing products through group contracts.

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

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