Thursday, 7 August 2014

Significant Functions Of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers

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.

There are two main types of wholesalers namely full-time and short-time. Full-line distributors are more significant in regard to the link that they provide. They major in distributing wide range and depth of their product. They purchase medicine from manufactures, store them, prepare orders for the retailers and deliver them. Short-line wholesalers only offer products in a specific line. The distributors play six significant functions.

They bridge distance between manufactures and retailers. This is because they link manufactures and the points where medicines are to be dispensed. They store medicine in warehouses. These warehouses will ensure proximity of the drugs to their consumers. This also ensures that there is consistent supply as per the requirements of the demand.

Ensuring that products offered meets the quality. This is achieved as distributors try to comply with the requirements set by the law to safeguard quality. Some drugs will require be keeping and storing in specified temperatures. Control is enhanced through such distribution practices. The major significance of this is no preventing any move to encourage entry of counterfeit drugs. This is significant in current times when there is production of many counterfeit drugs.

Better control of quality. Distributors operate on distribution practices that assure quality products. Many distributors standardize their facilities to provide specific quality for example temperatures. The developed countries have very few counterfeit drugs as they are able to set regulations that will achieve this. The patience is deemed to be the most important topic.

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.

Finally, wholesalers provide a balance will control the amount supplied using indirect distribution. This will promote efficiency and will bring in more revenue. This balance can only be achieved through storage. This sees to it that what is in the market is what is needed in regard to the forces of demand.




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