Sunday, August 3, 2014

Functions Of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers In Brief

By Annabelle Holman


Any supply chain requires the vital role of distributors. For the case of pharmaceutical wholesalers, they are most important transaction partners in pharmaceutical supply chain. This is evident in their provision of the link between pharmacies and manufacturers. This ensure that the supply of drugs continually agree with the forces of demand.

These wholesalers will either act as full-line or even short-line. In the case of full-line, their main business is in the distribution of pharmaceuticals. Full-line distributors provide the most vital link. They purchase medicine and store in their warehouses. They then prepare orders and finally deliver them. They offer a wide range of assorted products, both in terms of range and depth. Short- line wholesalers operate within specific line of products. These wholesalers play six crucial roles.

Bridging distance between the manufacturers and their respective pharmacies. They provide a proper link between manufactures and the dispensing points. They build warehouses to store drugs. This effectively ensures that there is close proximity of the medicines to their various consumers. Again this will ensure that supply will be continuous as compared to forces of demand in the market.

They assure high quality products. It is assured due to the fact that the law requires compliance with strict rules and regulations. For example, certain drugs may require being stored within certain range of temperatures. This ensures that there is better control measures put in place due to controlled distribution practices. These measures are aimed at discouraging entry of counterfeit medicines. It is crucial especially now when counterfeit products are increasingly produced and poses a great danger to humans.

Controlling the entire quality of drugs. Quality assurance is best achieved through better wholesaling practices. There is standardization of facilities such as storage and also transport to provide temperatures that are controlled. When you look at developed countries, you will find relatively better regulations and control measures. This drastically reduces the amount of fake drugs that are introduced into the market. For this supply chain, the patient stands out as the vital and sensitive subject.

Closing the bridge of time when production is taking place and consumption. Drugs are known to vary with other products in terms of supply and production. Consumption will only be in single units although production is in bigger volumes. A balance must be achieved to ensure that what is supplied is the exact amount that is demanded at any point of time. Distributors always try to achieve this through their logistic networks. The middlemen are able to close this bridge as they store medicine and supply when need arises.

Creating added value to services offered. Competition has always been on the rise which calls for middlemen to strategize if they are to keep up with the competition. This prompts wholesalers to design ways in which they will outdo the others. This is mostly achievable by adding value to services that you provide. This means offering integrated services. The services to be created will be providing at both side of the receivers, manufactures and also pharmacies.

Lastly, distributors do balance the quantity supplied through the indirect distribution. This enhances efficiency and hence achievement of economic benefits. This balances demand and supply through storing medicine that are not in demand.




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