HIDA Executive Conference Amplifies The Power Of Distribution During COVID-19

Healthcare industry leaders shared insights, experiences on meeting pandemic challenges

Alexandria, VA, April 8, 2021 - HIDA’s Executive Conference brought together leaders from across the country to forecast and reflect on the heightened importance of medical products distribution during COVID-19.

5 key takeaways from the Health Industry Distributors Association’s March 29-31 Executive Conference:

1. Distributors delivered core and new values. Distributors’ scope of responsibility expanded to a new level by protecting teammates and families while keeping life-saving products flowing to care providers. Panelists noted that in mid-March 2020 New York City and other metro areas were shut down while other parts of the country hadn’t reported even one case of COVID. By working closely with governments and all links in the supply chain, distributors got critical pandemic-fighting products to the points where it was needed most.
2. Distributors reinforced their role as trusted healthcare partners. Medical products distributors responded to the pandemic by reliably delivering record levels of FDA-approved critical medical supplies to healthcare providers. In 2020 HIDA members distributed 51 billion units of PPE including 1,200% more N95 respirators than in 2019, noted HIDA President & CEO Matthew J. Rowan in a panel discussion with other healthcare industry executives.
3. Diversified sourcing strengthens the global supply chain. Ambassador Deborah Birx, M.D., the former White House coronavirus coordinator, said the U.S. will benefit from manufacturing medical supplies such as PPE and becoming an exporter of these critical products moving forward. Countries that worked collaboratively were able to obtain critical COVID-fighting products much more effectively than countries that put up barriers, noted CEOs discussing COVID’s lasting impact on healthcare markets.
4. Federal, industry partnership defined pandemic response. By working together, the government and commercial distributors can understand the planned health response for a variety of scenarios and what’s going to be required to save lives. Together, by reviewing processes and reflecting on lessons learned during COVID distributors, manufacturers and the federal government will continue to support supply chain resiliency, senior Strategic National Stockpile officials told attendees.
5. Zoom is here to stay. The remote interactions between physicians and sales representatives that had to occur during the pandemic are now becoming a preferred method of interacting, according to data shared by experts. Telehealth visits between care providers and patients also are expected to remain popular.

More than 600 executives from healthcare distributors, manufacturers, GPOs, technology firms, and provider organizations attended the virtual event.

About HIDA
The Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) represents the country’s medical product distributors – the nation’s essential link between manufacturers and patient caregivers. HIDA members offer critical services increasing the efficiency of U.S. healthcare providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, laboratories, home care, and physician practices. For more information, visit HIDA.org.