ARLINGTON, Va. — The Healthcare Distribution Alliance recognized AbbVie US; AmerisourceBergen Corporation; Genentech, a Member of the Roche Group; McKesson Corporation and Pfizer, Inc., with the 2019 Distribution Management Award (DMA) for the MediLedger Project, a blockchain-enabled traceability initiative. The companies were honored today at the HDA Distribution Management Conference and Expo in Palm Desert, Calif.
HDA presents this annual award to member companies that spearhead collaborative projects to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of the supply chain. Honorees must demonstrate measurable gains in productivity and cost reductions in addition to implementing innovative technologies, processes or programs.

With the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)-mandated deadline to verify serialized pharmaceutical returns set to go into effect in November 2019, the companies collaborated to develop a viable technology solution.
The MediLedger Project, hosted by Chronicled, is a verification system that provides a synchronized and secure method to manage an “industry phonebook” of Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), enabling trading partners to know where to execute a systemic verification request. The system employs blockchain technology to eliminate the need for individual wholesalers to manage large volumes of product lists and manufacturer addresses, complying with DSCSA regulations while reducing errors and providing savings to the entire supply chain.
Perry Fri, HDA executive vice president of Industry Relations, Membership and Education; and COO, HDA Research Foundation said, “The 2019 DMA winners saw a problem, came together, strategized and worked together to find a solution for the benefit of all. The Alliance is proud to honor these organizations, who sought to benefit the patients they ultimately serve through industry collaboration and innovation.”

Additionally, Cubixx Solutions a part of AmerisourceBergen, was recognized as a DMA merit finalist for its Cubixx CT – At-Home Clinical Trial Inventory Management Solution. Given the rising trend of at-home clinical trial participation and the desire to improve the patient experience, this temperature-controlled inventory management system allows patients or nurses to administer study medications at home while maintaining the integrity of the trial. The Cubixx CT monitors inventory and temperature conditions in real time, providing trial coordinators and sponsors complete data oversight at every location and for every product. It also prompts patients if they missed a dose and alerts the trial coordinators when a patient needs a refill, enhancing trial compliance and eliminating costs due to shipping and medicine replacements. Currently, the device is the only portable refrigeration system with RFID-technology and stand-alone cellular communication in the clinical trial space.

Previous DMA recipients have included Smith Drug Company for the implementation of a cloud-based predictive inventory management system and Cardinal Health for their Ergonomic Upright Refrigerated Unit.

Additional details on this award can be found on the HDA website.