CINCINNATI, Ohio – NAPPSA, a pharmacy buying group advancing the growing buying power of the Nigerian-owned independent retailers, today announced a new three-year prime vendor agreement with H. D. Smith, a leading national pharmaceutical wholesaler.

“This agreement, together with the programs and services available to our members through H. D. Smith, represents a significant accomplishment in the growth and identity of our organization,” said Emmanuel Ezirim, owner of Central Point Pharmacy in Columbus, Ohio.  “In addition, the new prime vendor agreement will reduce the purchasing cost of our brand and generic pharmaceutical products, enabling us to compete with the large chains on a more level playing field.”

"The decision to select a ‘Primary Vendor’ does not come lightly and demands close inspection of services, programs and reputation,” said Dale Smith, chairman and chief executive officer, H. D. Smith.  "H. D. Smith strives continually to anticipate and meet the needs of independent retail pharmacies with a range of business solutions enabling retailers to adapt to the ever-changing marketplace.  We seek to enhance NAPPSA members’ success."

Under the terms of the prime vendor agreement, H. D. Smith will become the primary supplier of pharmaceutical products for NAPPSA pharmacies, totaling more than 100 across the United States, beginning immediately, through June 30, 2013. “We are excited and proud of this accomplishment, and hope it is only the beginning of more to come. Since success breeds success, we anticipate more Nigerian-owned pharmacies to join or partner with NAPPSA,” said Nnodum Iheme, president, NAPPSA. 

About NAPPSA
Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas, Inc. (NAPPSA) is an umbrella organization of Nigerian pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, allied scientists and the academia in the Americas, engaged in research, development, manufacture, regulation, distribution and delivery of food, drugs, devices and related services. Among other objectives, NAPPSA fosters cooperative efforts among relevant educational, research, industrial, commercial and governmental entities; propagates critical information in the medical, biological, pharmaceutical and related healthcare-technology fields, for the optimization of health outcomes.  

About H. D. Smith
Headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, H. D. Smith is the largest privately held national full-line, full-service wholesaler that provides a complete line of pharmaceuticals, OTCs, HBAs, home healthcare products, durable medical equipment, seasonal merchandise and a wide array of marketing programs to retail pharmacies, regional chains and health systems.  The company has distribution facilities in California, Florida, Kentucky, Illinois, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Texas that service major markets throughout the United States.  Additional information about H. D. Smith can be found at hdsmith.com.

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Contact:
Allison Worrell
H. D. Smith
Communications Coordinator
217-753-1688