Upsher-Smith Receives Prestigious DIANA Award for Third Year in a Row

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. announced today that it was honored with the prestigious Distribution Industry Award for Notable Achievements in Healthcare (DIANA) presented by the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA).  The award was for the "Best Branded Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturer with Sales to Healthcare Distributors of Less Than $300 Million."  The HDMA presented the award at a celebration recognizing leading pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturers for their leadership and innovation at its 2011 Business & Leadership Conference in Phoenix, AZ on June 6.

"Upsher-Smith is extremely pleased once again to receive an esteemed DIANA award, and to be recognized as a leader and innovator in the healthcare industry," said Scott Hussey, Vice President of Sales, Upsher-Smith Laboratories. "This is the third year in a row that the company has received a DIANA award.  Upsher-Smith has won awards or merit finalist positions in all categories, underscoring our commitment to bringing valuable healthcare products to consumers."

Since 1959, HDMA's DIANA has been the industry's most recognized symbol of excellence.  The awards honor pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturer members who set the standard of excellence in new product introductions and promotions and build stronger business practices with HDMA healthcare distributor members.  Winners are selected by HDMA distributor members, who are asked to nominate their top five manufacturer partners in each of six categories. DIANA winners serve as models for leadership in the healthcare marketplace.

Last year, Upsher-Smith received two DIANAs in the "Best Overall Manufacturer" awards category.  For the second time since 2008, the Company won the award for "Best Branded Pharmaceutical Company with Sales to Healthcare Distributors of Less Than $300 Million," and also was a First Merit Finalist for "Best Consumer Product Company with Sales to Healthcare Distributors of Over $10 Million."

About Upsher-Smith

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc., founded in 1919, is a rapidly growing, privately held pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and markets prescription and over-the-counter products. The company's product portfolio focuses on the areas of women's health, dermatology, cardiology, and CNS diseases. Upsher-Smith strives to recognize the unmet healthcare needs of its customers and prides itself on providing safe, effective, and economical therapies to the ever-changing healthcare environment.  For additional information, visit 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.

SOURCE Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.