AmerisourceBergen Announces Annual Award Winners as ThinkLive 2014 Concludes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – ThinkLive 2014, AmerisourceBergen’s annual manufacturer summit, concluded today after two days of activities. The conference provided more than 500 global pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and diagnostics manufacturers a unique forum to collaborate with AmerisourceBergen executives and hear from experts on key industry trends and issues.

“We believe that partnerships are key to shaping healthcare delivery,” said Peyton Howell, President of Global Sourcing and Manufacturer Relations at AmerisourceBergen. “ThinkLive creates a unique platform where we can work one-on-one with manufacturers to help them maximize the commercial success of their products, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.”

Now more than ever before, manufacturers need to keep pace with new and growing stakeholder expectations in order to capitalize on the dynamic changes happening in healthcare. At ThinkLive, manufacturers were able to select and attend a number of town hall sessions and breakout discussions that provided immersive education, topical discussions and peer-to-peer networking to give actionable insight to help them positively impact healthcare delivery.

General Sessions were held to provide attendees with an update on how AmerisourceBergen is driving innovative partnerships with global manufacturers, providers and pharmacies to improve product access and efficiency throughout the healthcare supply chain. Exclusive presentations and discussions were led by AmerisourceBergen’s thought leaders including Steve Collis, President and CEO; Howell; James Frary, President of AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group; Larry Marsh, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer; Tim Guttman, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Dave Neu, President of AmerisourceBergen Drug Company.

A dinner and awards reception was held on Tuesday, October 7. During the ceremony, AmerisourceBergen recognized several manufacturers for excellence in multiple categories. Categories and winners were as follows: 

• Manufacturer Excellence Award – Consumer: The Proctor & Gamble Company
• Manufacturer Excellence Award – Generics: Zydus
• Manufacturer Excellence Award – Brand: Bayer
• Trade Relations Leadership Award – Brand: Carrie Wetzel, Allergan
• Trade Relations Leadership Award – Generics: Dave Hardin, Amneal
• Trade Relations Leadership Award – Consumer: Chris Gallagher, Nipro
• Best Product Launch Award: Sovaldi, Gilead Sciences
• Excellence in Product Proposition Award: Angela Nitka, AstraZeneca
• Commitment to Patient Care Award: Angela Willis, Amgen

AmerisourceBergen added a new award to this year’s program to recognize a customer that is making a positive impact on healthcare delivery and helping to shape the industry in innovative ways. The Shaping Healthcare Delivery award was given to Burmansl for enhancing access to treatment for Hepatitis C patients through an innovative partnership with AmerisourceBergen.

Burmans, one the largest independent pharmacies, is a member of the Compliant Pharmacy Alliance Cooperative (CPA), a buying cooperative representing independent pharmacies.

“At Burmans, everything we do starts with putting patients first and ensuring they have the best possible outcomes,” said Steve Burman, President & CEO, Burmans. “AmerisourceBergen has been a critical partner in helping us in this effort by extending their flexibility, responsiveness and high-level service. We’re proud to work with them and beyond honored to be their first Shaping Healthcare Delivery award winner.”

Xcenda, the strategic consulting arm of AmerisourceBergen, shared results of the first-ever health economic analysis of coffee consumption in the United States. The research shows that moderate coffee consumption was associated with an increase in life years and a reduction in healthcare costs. The study looked at population-level coffee consumption by reviewing meta-analyses on the association of coffee and chronic diseases and cancers.

In a healthcare landscape that is increasingly focused on cost, quality, and outcomes, health economics and outcomes research have become relevant and critical to manufacturers. Xcenda is a leader in meeting the evidentiary demands of payers to optimize access and maximize health outcomes across global markets. Health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) consultants help pharmaceutical teams understand how Health Technology Assessment (HTA) agencies make coverage decisions and which types of value evidence are most meaningful.

About AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen is one of the largest global pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution services companies, helping both healthcare providers and pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers improve patient access to products and enhance patient care. With services ranging from drug distribution and niche premium logistics to reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting services, AmerisourceBergen delivers innovative programs and solutions across the pharmaceutical supply channel. With over $100 billion in annualized revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs approximately 13,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #28 on the Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to www.amerisourcebergen.com.