John Gray hangs up his spurs as head of HDA

As president and CEO of the Healthcare Distribution Alliance since 2004 (known as the Healthcare Distribution Management Assn. since 2016), John Gray oversaw the conversion of the association to a primary-distributor-only group in the mid-2000s, led industry involvement in the passage of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) in 2013, and participated in changes at the federal and state levels on drug supply-chain processes.

“Over the past 15 years, John provided steady leadership in a sea of change," said Greg Drew, RPh, chairman of the HDA Board of Directors and president of Value Drug Co. "The HDA Executive Committee and Board of Directors congratulate him on his many accomplishments, and we wish John the best in his future endeavors.”

DSCSA remains the signal achievement of Gray’s tenure; the law is having significant effects now and for the foreseeable future on drug distribution. In 2013, before the law’s passage, Gray told Pharmaceutical Commerce that “When I came on board at HDMA and for the next few years, we held discussions with pharma CEOs on track and trace, and just couldn’t get their attention. Back then, manufacturers thought they had little to worry about regarding their supply chains.” The globalization of drug supply and delivery, and the processes for how drugs are purchased and paid for in the US, have changed that perspective.

HDA has also stepped up its educational activities, both for the industry and for college students, under Gray’s leadership, with the HDA Research Foundation expanding its publications and seminars. The association has just started a new public-awareness campaign, HealthcareDelivered.org.

Gray’s retirement was announced at the association’s annual Business and Leadership Conference (Orlando, FL; June 2-5). An executive search will commence in the near future.