Drug Store Distributors

According to research carried out by Mayo Clinic and Olmstead Medical Center, nearly 70% of Americans are on one prescription drug, and more than half take two. With this, it can be realized that the pharmaceutical industry is a multibillion dollar industry. With new drugs being discovered and new patents applied for, it would seem that the last of the world’s ailment is being given the curative effect but there are still countless ailments that have claimed many lives but cures haven’t been found for them. However, in the interim, drugs like antiretroviral medicines that don’t cure but hold off the disease have to be repeatedly produced. The production of these medicines has helped preserve countless lives and more would be preserved.

A distributor is a link in the supply chain. This person serves as the middleman between the manufacturer of the product and the retailers. Though, many retailers, especially big brands, relate directly with the manufacturers, a lot of stores still work with the distributors in getting needed products to their stores.

Many retailers, however, avoid distributors and other middlemen. This is with the fact that more product handling before the product reaches the consumer, more expensive the product becomes. Big brands are looking at offering unbeatable prices to their customers. With the number of middlemen, this is hardly possible.

Notwithstanding, distributors are highly needed. In the world of pharmacy, distributors in this line are trained to ensure that prescription medications are delivered safely and efficiently to thousands of healthcare practitioners and pharmacies nationwide. As much as retailers may try to get deliveries straight from manufacturers, health care practitioners rely mostly on distributors.

Just like other distributors in the supply chain of many consumer products, the distributor has to be in constant contact with manufacturers and retailers. They have to consider the price at which they are distributing so that the retailer does not stock up forcefully and regret as consumers are mostly wary of prices.

Drug store distributors can be contacted via catalogues and other sales item. They are mostly into trade associations in many states. They ensure to keep in contact with both manufacturers and retailers and they are the go-between the two essential players in the supply chain.

Medications require safe handling. Their transportation and storage must be suited to individual specifications given by the manufacturer. Some medications may require room temperature and must be kept as such while some others may require cold storage. The situation is the same for food items. Not all food items can be stored the same way. This is why distributors in this line are properly trained to understand the peculiarities of the products they have in their warehouses.

Fortunately, most distribution companies foresee the need for these essentials and they prepare for them. Because of the need to distribute beyond national boundaries, there are carriers on air and water that feature state-of-the-art storage facilities that can be used in the event of special products.