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

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Upsher-Smith announced today that they are the recipients of two Distribution Industry Awards for Notable Achievements in Healthcare (DIANA) given by the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA). The Company was presented with two DIANAs in the 'Best Overall Manufacturer' Awards category.  Within this category, Upsher-Smith was the winner for the second time since 2008 of the 'Best Branded Pharmaceutical Company with Sales to Healthcare Distributors of less than $300 Million.'  The Company was also named a First Merit Finalist for the 'Best Consumer Product Company with Sales to Healthcare Distributors of over $10 Million.' The HDMA recognized leading pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturers with the presentation of 10 DIANA Awards at HDMA's 2010 Inaugural Business and Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida on June 7.

"We are really pleased to be among a prestigious lineup of industry leaders who were rewarded for their innovation and partnerships with their customers," said Scott Hussey, VP of Sales, Upsher-Smith Laboratories.  "With these new honors, Upsher-Smith has won DIANA Awards or Merit Finalist positions in all categories signifying the value we hold with our customers."

Since 1959, 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 active 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 HDMA members for nominating and selecting us for these awards as they further validate our longstanding commitment to excellence and demonstrate the strategic progress we are making to grow our branded pharmaceutical business in central nervous system (CNS) diseases," said Mark Evenstad, President, Upsher-Smith Laboratories. "These advances and achievements would not be possible without the dedication of our employees to whom we attribute our success."

In 2007, Upsher-Smith 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 pursuing improved drug therapies to improve people's lives. The evolution of the company is driven by the ever-changing needs of patients, physicians, pharmacists, and healthcare organizations. Their strategic vision is to become a leader in providing therapies that empower people suffering from central nervous system (CNS) diseases to lead healthy, productive lives. Upsher-Smith is focusing within CNS on therapeutic areas with significant unmet needs including epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Their perspective is not "more products," but the right products that make people's lives better. At every level of the business, they are driven to be the best. Visit: http://www.upsher-smith.com.

About HDMA

The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) is the national association representing primary, full-service healthcare distributors. Each day, the member companies of HDMA are responsible for ensuring that more than eight million prescription medicines and healthcare products are safely delivered to 145,000 pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, clinics, government and other providers in all 50 states. This essential public health function is provided with tremendous efficiency, saving the nation's healthcare system nearly $34 billion each year. HDMA and its members are a vital link in the healthcare system, working daily to provide value, remove costs and develop innovative solutions to deliver care safely and effectively.

SOURCE Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.