The pharmaceutical distribution industry saves the U.S. healthcare system anywhere from $22-$53 billion each year! The savings come from investments in logistical solutions.

Improvements to the supply chain and technological advancements also drive these savings.

Healthcare distribution isn’t solely driven by delivery. At its heart, it’s about delivering the right medicines to the right doctors and patients at the right time.

The complex supply chain of pharmaceutical wholesalers is vital to the healthcare system. Distributors help healthcare facilities and pharmacies by keeping their shelves stocked around the clock.

Wholesalers ensure that manufacturers don’t waste time, money, and staff resources on distribution. And they’re not just distributors—they are experts in information management, new technology, and security. They’re improving the supply chain to save our healthcare system precious time and money.

So, who are the pharmaceutical wholesalers leading the innovative industry? Let’s look at 10 of the best.

1. UnitedHealth Group

The UnitedHealth Group Incorporated headquarters are in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It is a for-profit managed healthcare company. The company offers insurance services and health care products.

And it does health insurance well, as it’s America’s largest health insurer. By the end of this year, revenues will top $240 billion.

UnitedHealth Group’s success is due to its Optum unit. This unit provides health services, performs data analytics, and manages pharmacy benefits.

The company believes in investing in technology and innovation, investing more than $3.5 billion each year. It also processes an average of 1.1 trillion transactions.

2. McKesson

McKesson delivers one-third of medications in North America each day. The company is the oldest in the nation, and they now operate in over 16 countries.

In 2017, McKesson gained Rexall Health and several other companies. This activity promoted growth, along with drug utilization rates.

3. CVS Health

CVS operates an efficient supply chain and leading in pharmacy innovation. In fact, they’re the largest pharmacy innovation company in the nation.

In 2018, CVS changed its Supply Chain Performance program to further optimize the supply chain. This addressed a new performance-based program created to reward employees providing best-in-class service.

In November 2018, CVS Health acquired Aetna for $69 billion after approval from the U.S. Justice Department. This merger created a healthcare giant capable of making $240 billion annually.

4. AmerisourceBergen

Bergen Brunswig and AmeriSource merged in 2001, creating AmerisourceBergen.
The company’s goals focus on biosimilars and their ability to reduce costs across healthcare. Biosimilars are medicines created to be like an FDA-approved biological product.

AmerisourceBergen understands that there are hurdles to this. They perform research to offer solutions to increase access to these emerging therapies.

In 2017, the company enjoyed solid sales of expensive cancer drugs. It also formed stronger business ties with some of its most significant customers.

5. Cardinal Health

Cardinal Health is working to combat the U.S. opioid crisis by keeping our pharmaceutical supply chain secure.

The company is also passionate about diversity in its supplier base. Cardinal Health promises to promote businesses (large and small) owned by people who identify as women, ethnic minorities, lesbian, gay, LGBTQ, bisexual and veterans.

6. Prodigy Health

Prodigy Health is driving innovative technology alternatives in the hospital supply chain.

The company connects hospitals to high-quality products. This is through their Prodigy Same Day Nationwide Delivery and Prodigy On Demand Consignment Services. With Prodigy Vision, customers and vendors can access a real-time data portal.

It even offers a solution to work with Prodigy Vision to restock inventory automatically. This feature reduces labor costs and assures customers that the inventory they need is always on hand.

With this portal, customers can access inventory and manage par levels. Customers can also place and track orders, and access billing and payment history in real-time.

7. The PHOENIX Group

Based in Mannheim, Germany, The PHOENIX Group is one of the biggest healthcare providers in Europe. The company delivers prescription and over-the-counter medicines every day.

Its service brand “All-in-One” grants direct access to patients from manufacturers. This unified approach allows manufacturers to focus on developing and commercializing their products.

8. Walgreens Boots Alliance

Providing drug store services, the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. operates in several segments. These segments include Retail Pharmacy USA, Retail Pharmacy International, and Pharmaceutical Wholesale.

Walgreens Boots Alliance sells the Walgreens and Duane Reade brands under the Retail Pharmacy USA segment. This segment focuses on pharmacy-led health besides beauty products.

Walgreens Pharmaceutical Wholesale supplies healthcare products and medicines to all health centers. It also caters to hospitals, pharmacies, and doctors.

9. Firstline Pharma

Firstline Pharma is a pharmaceutical supplier that imports and exports a plethora of health products. The company supplies globally. It has customers in far-reaching markets, such as the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

The company vows to improve patient access to life-saving medicines. Firstline Pharma wants to develop enduring partnerships with suppliers and patients. And offer great customer service according to industry best practices.

Firstline Pharma is a registered General Pharmaceutical Council (GPHC) member. It is also a member of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).

10. CR Pharmaceutical

CR Pharmaceutical is an integrated enterprise group, created because of a rule set by the SASAC in 2007.

The company is on its way to becoming the leader in the Chinese pharma industry.

It ranks second in overall strength in the country’s pharmaceutical industry.

CR Pharmaceutical boasts strong innovation capabilities. It has two national research centers catered to Chinese patent and gelatine medicine. The company is a global leader in R&D technology.

Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Provide Peace of Mind

The biggest pharmacies and hospitals trust these distributors to deliver our medicines safely and on time.

As pharmaceutical distribution trends change, big pharmaceutical wholesalers will have to develop new, innovative solutions to continue providing a link between their products, pharmacies, doctors, and the patients who need them.

Did you find this interesting? Check out our business, education, and career sections for more!