First Nation Group Announces Launch of Pharmaceuticals Division

First Nation Group, the premier Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Women-Owned Small Business, and HUBZone Small Business medical-surgical distributor to the Federal Government, announced today a new pharmaceutical division, First Nation Pharmaceuticals. Combining First Nation Group’s proven capabilities in healthcare delivery with expertise from key leaders in the pharmaceutical industry, this newly created division will be providing pharmaceuticals to Government and limited commercial markets to deliver the best healthcare solutions to our customers.

First Nation Pharmaceuticals will leverage First Nation Group’s expansive distribution, procurement, and data analytics capabilities to revolutionize the purchasing of generic pharmaceuticals tailored specifically to the needs of government customers. These key advantages will allow First Nation Pharmaceuticals to improve partners’ insights and market share, delivering greater access and better pricing to critically needed products for their customers.

“We’ve paired First Nation Group’s core capabilities and strengths with well-known industry experts to develop the new pharmaceutical division, accelerating our ability to scale production and distribution quickly,” said Cheryl Nilsson, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of First Nation Group. “This new division is an organic growth strategy that gives us the opportunity take a more comprehensive approach in treating the whole patient with multiple therapies and pharmacological treatments.”

First Nation Pharmaceuticals has appointed the most trusted and influential industry leaders to pilot the pharmaceuticals expansion, naming Stephen Flannery as the First Nation Pharmaceuticals President. Flannery brings more than 35 years of tenured healthcare experience to the company and will focus primarily on delivering the most competitively priced options to support U.S. manufacturing along with exceptional customer service and support in navigating the Federal marketplace. Before joining the First Nation Group family, Flannery spent 22 years at Cardinal Health where he led strategy to secure and grow partnership in the federal government market.

“We’re excited to launch our contracting and distribution platform to improve access and pricing on needed quality generic pharmaceuticals for Veterans, our active-duty military members, and their families,” said Stephen Flannery, President of First Nation Pharmaceuticals. “Together, we will work hard to bring value to manufacturing partners by expanding their marketplace with contract opportunity and visibility through First Nation Group’s proprietary analytics, ultimately, redefining pharmaceutical care delivery for good.”

In addition to Flannery’s role as division President, First Nation Pharmaceuticals has also hired John Dischert, Pharm.D., as Director of Business Development and Regulatory Affairs. Dischert, a retired Lieutenant Commander of the United States Navy, will oversee pharmaceutical customer success from implementation through distribution while ensuring First Nation Pharmaceuticals adheres to all pharmaceutical Government procurement and Regulatory controls. Formerly the Chief Pharmacist of Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Medical Supply Chain, Dischert, a healthcare logistics expert, will leverage First Nation Group’s financial and regulatory strength to ensure product availability and safety.

Steve Friedman, R.Ph., President and owner of MJAC Consulting Inc., an independent consulting firm, supports the division’s supplier relations and management efforts. Friedman’s 40 years of experience in pharmaceuticals, working for companies such as H.D. Smith, Pharmacy First, and PDX-NHIN Inc., will allow him to deliver valuable insight and forge connections among key industry stakeholders.

Vincent Valinotti, previously a Contracting Officer with the DLA, who most recently served as the Chief of the Pricing Branch in DLA’s Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor program, joins First Nation Group as the new Contracts Manager. This hybrid role supports the medical-surgical and pharmaceutical business working directly with manufacturers to uncover areas of opportunity within Government procurement, capture contract opportunities, and drive sales performance across the board.

About First Nation Group

First Nation Group is the premier Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Women-Owned Small Business, and HUBZone Small Business distributor of medical-surgical equipment and supplies to the U.S. Federal Government with the First Nation Pharmaceuticals division revolutionizing the procurement and distribution of generic pharmaceuticals.

Since 1992, First Nation Group has been at the forefront of the medical equipment industry delivering superior products, service, and support while giving back generously. Representing leading manufacturers, the 155+ employees take pride in providing TAA compliant, cost-effective solutions of the most well-respected product lines with extensive national distribution and 99% same-day fill rate. Learn more about our purpose-driven business at www.firstnationgroup.com.

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