UPS Hails Landmark Drug Distribution Safety and Licensing Legislation

WASHINGTON, Nov 19, 2013 /3BL Media/ -- UPS applauds Congress for passing legislation to enhance the safety of the nation's healthcare supply chain and drug distribution network. The bill, which President Obama is expected to sign, establishes the first-ever national standards and requirements for pharmaceutical distribution providers.

"The Drug Quality and Security Act is a giant step forward for the safety of America's drug distribution network and our supply chains," said Scott Davis, UPS chairman and CEO. "The creation of uniform federal standards will reduce regulatory complexity, while the addition of track-and-trace measures will add transparency and accountability.

"This legislation protects consumers from the threat of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and I want to thank members of Congress for working toward a comprehensive, bipartisan solution. This is proof that we can still accomplish great things in Washington. Our nation's supply chain is stronger and safer than ever before thanks to the work of Senators Michael Bennet and Richard Burr and Representatives Bob Latta and Jim Matheson."

In addition to the bill's sponsors, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Ranking Member Henry Waxman(D-CA), and former Energy & Commerce Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) also played a leading role in championing the legislation.

As a member of the Pharmaceutical Distribution Security Alliance (PDSA), a coalition of more than 25 stakeholders spanning the pharmaceutical supply chain, UPS pushed for high national standards to enhance safety and leverage technology that can adapt to the pace of modern delivery networks.

"Working with our customers and drug supply chain stakeholders, UPS is proud to be a part of this historic effort," Davis said. "Together, we've raised the bar for safety in every state."

UPS is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions for the transportation of packages and freight, including innovative delivery options for the global consumer market; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at UPS.com and its corporate blog can be found at blog.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.