HDMA Releases New Contract Administration and Bar Code Guidelines

10/10/2001

The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) has released two new publications as part of its fall 2001 product offering. Both publications provide essential information for those involved in standards and technology within the healthcare product distribution industry.

HDMA's Streamlining the Contract Administration Process is a brand-new, one-of-a-kind reference that identifies all of the pieces of the contract administration process, from bid solicitation to bid awards. This comprehensive publication also provides guidelines for handling contract changes, retroactive contracts, dual membership, chargebacks and recommended timelines. It includes industry best practices, benchmarking information and a process flow map.

Newly revised, the 2001 Bar Code Guidelines outlines how distributors and suppliers can take advantage of automatic-identification technology, saving time and money. The publication's focus is on distributors, manufacturers and retailers with detailed instructions and illustrations on proper barcode placement on bottles, cartons, intermediate packaging and shipping cases (with exceptions). In addition, the 2001 Bar Code Guidelines present HDMA's official position on the National Drug Code (NDC) and barcoding applications in drug distribution.

"These guidelines play a key role in supporting HDMA's strategic goals to improve the contract administration process and ensure the safe and efficient distribution of healthcare products. HDMA members worked collaboratively with business partners representing the entire spectrum of the healthcare supply system to incorporate information within these guidelines that would enhance efficiencies across the supply system," said Lisa Clowers, HDMA's vice president of standards and technology.

MEDICA.de; Source: Healthcare Distribution Management Association

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