Steady Hands: AmerisourceBergen’s Peyton Howell
This article discusses perspectives on drug distribution by AmerisourceBergen without explicit focus on temperature control; however, cold chain is within its scope, and as the second largest integrated drug distributor in the US, it is worth a read.
Drug distribution today is more than just the passive physical act of moving product from factory to pharmacy—in fact, it’s now one of the most “customer centric” functions in the business of health, playing a substantive role at virtually every step in the long continuum of patient care. Structural changes in the supply chain, technology advances and rising payer and patient desires for better value for money are creating new opportunities to serve customers in ways beyond what has traditionally been expected from a distribution partner.
To underscore this transformation,Pharm Exec recently sat down with Peyton Howell, President for Global Sourcing and Manufacturer Relations and a key member of the executive management team for AmerisourceBergen (AB), the nation’s second largest integrated drug distributor. Howell highlights how the company is navigating through some unexpected headwinds on generic pricing; building a more focused organization centered on services that create patient value; taking on a more prominent role in industry-wide policy and reputation issues; and investing significant sums to maintain its pole position on strategic partnerships.
Regarding the latter, Howell details important new investments underway to gird AB’s groundbreaking 2013 pact with Walgreens Alliance Boots, which in May was extended for another three years beyond the original 10-year transaction frame—locking in the deal through 2026 and positioning AB to strengthen its base in generics beyond segment leader McKesson while bolstering its No. 1 spot in the high margin specialty business.
And her best piece of advice for Pharm Exec’s big Pharma readers? Get in touch and stay in touch—and much earlier in the product launch phase.
Source: PharmExec
