Upsher-Smith Is Honored with Prestigious Industry Award for Excellence and Innovation

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., June 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. announced today that it is the recipient of Distribution Industry Awards for Notable Achievements in Healthcare (DIANA) given by the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA). The Company was presented with two DIANAs, one in the 'Branded Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturer' category. Within this category, Upsher-Smith was the winner for the third year in a row of the 'Best Overall Branded Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturer with Sales to Healthcare Distributors of Less Than $300 Million.' The Company also was awarded a DIANA for 'Best Consumer Product Manufacturer with Sales to Healthcare Distributors of More Than $10 Million' within the 'Consumer Product Manufacturer' category. This is the second time that Upsher-Smith has been honored among the finalists in this category. The HDMA recognized leading pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturers with the presentation of 10 DIANA Awards at HDMA's 2012 Business and Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas on June 11.

"Upsher-Smith strives to consistently deliver excellent service to our customers," said Scott Hussey, VP of Sales, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. "Receiving this honor for three consecutive years is valuable affirmation from the distributors of our commitment to consistently meet or exceed their manufacturer expectations. These awards speak volumes to us because of the importance we place on customer relationships."

For more than 50 years, the DIANA awards have been presented to healthcare and consumer product manufacturers that set the standard for excellence in new product introductions and promotions. DIANA winners are chosen by HDMA distributor members who judge companies based on several criteria including: knowledgeable salespeople, high-level customer service, demonstrated flexibility and creativity in marketing, and incorporation of new technologies to ensure product safety and security. Upsher-Smith joins an elite group of past recipients who serve as models for leadership and innovation in the healthcare marketplace.

"Upsher-Smith would like to thank the HDMA members for selecting us for these DIANA awards because they acknowledge our unwavering commitment to excellence in all that we deliver to our supply chain partners," said Tom Burke, COO, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. "These awards are further testimony to the advancement we are making to achieving our vision to grow our pharmaceutical and non-prescription product businesses. We have immensely talented and dedicated employees and this is further validation of their consistent efforts to serve the needs of our distributors."

In addition to these awards, in 2008 Upsher-Smith earned another award for 'Best Overall Branded Pharmaceutical Products Manufacturer With Sales to HDMA Distributors Less Than $300 Million.' In 2007, the company earned a DIANA Merit Finalist position for the 'Best Overall Generic Pharmaceutical Products Manufacturer with less than $100 Million in Sales to Healthcare Distributors,' and in 2004, Upsher-Smith received the DIANA award for 'Pharmaceutical Support Systems, Supplies and Services Best New Product Introduction and/or Product Promotion.'

About Upsher-Smith

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, U.S.-based company devoted to improving health and advancing wellness since 1919. Upsher-Smith demonstrates its commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of its customers by developing, producing and marketing consumer and prescription products. In addition to its strong heritage in generics, Upsher-Smith's branded businesses focus on women's health, dermatology and CNS therapeutic areas. For additional information, visit http://www.upsher-smith.com.

About HDMA

HDMA is the national association representing primary healthcare distributors, the vital link in the healthcare system. Each business day, HDMA member companies ensure that more than nine million prescription medicines and healthcare products are delivered safely and efficiently to 164,000 pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and others nationwide. HDMA and its members work daily to provide value and contain costs, saving the nation's healthcare system an estimated $32 billion per year. For more information, visit www.HealthcareDistribution.org.

SOURCE Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.