How to Choose a Pharmaceutical Trading Company: Checkpoints for Selecting a GDP-Compliant Specialist | TASAKI PHAMA

The Importance of Choosing a Pharmaceutical Distributor

Procuring pharmaceuticals is a critical process directly impacting patient health and safety. Selecting a reliable pharmaceutical distributor is essential, especially when requiring unapproved or overseas medications. While finding personal import agents online is easy these days, it may involve risks in quality, safety, and supply stability. Choosing a pharmaceutical distributor compliant with GDP (Good Distribution Practice) is crucial to minimize these risks and ensure medication quality.

For example, innovative drugs approved overseas (e.g., Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab) may be needed in cancer treatment. While these drugs can be highly effective for patients with specific gene mutations, their unassured quality may lead to ineffectiveness or adverse health effects. A reliable pharmaceutical distributor ensures medication quality through thorough temperature control and transportation methods.

Checkpoints for Choosing a Pharmaceutical Distributor

Checking the following points is important to choose a reliable pharmaceutical distributor:

• GDP Compliance: Check for compliance with GDP, the international standard for pharmaceutical storage, transportation, and quality control.
• Types of Pharmaceuticals Handled: Confirm that the distributor handles the needed pharmaceuticals and that the supply routes are clear.
• Quality Control System: Check whether a system is in place to ensure pharmaceutical quality (e.g., temperature control, quality inspection).
• Information Provision System: Check whether the distributor provides the latest information on pharmaceuticals, usage instructions, and side effects.
• Track Record and Reputation: Check past performance and reputation among medical institutions.
• Licensing: Confirm whether the distributor has obtained the necessary licenses for importing and selling pharmaceuticals.

Comprehensively assess these checkpoints to select the best pharmaceutical distributor for your needs.

License Verification

Importing and selling pharmaceuticals requires permission from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. You can check whether permission has been obtained on the pharmaceutical distributor’s website or the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s website. Check that the license number is clearly stated.

Verification of Track Record and Reputation

You can check past performance and reputation on the pharmaceutical distributor’s website or review sites for healthcare professionals. Check whether they have a long track record and are trusted by many medical institutions.

What is GDP (Good Distribution Practice) Compliance?

GDP (Good Distribution Practice) is an international standard for ensuring the proper distribution of pharmaceuticals. GDP compliance guarantees that pharmaceutical quality is consistently maintained from manufacturing to the final consumer. GDP includes detailed regulations regarding pharmaceutical storage, transportation, and quality control. Compliance with these regulations prevents pharmaceutical quality degradation and the mixing of counterfeit drugs.

For example, for pharmaceuticals requiring temperature control (e.g., some vaccines, biopharmaceuticals), a GDP-compliant pharmaceutical distributor takes measures to prevent temperature excursions during transportation, such as installing temperature loggers or using insulated shipping containers. In addition, the quality control department regularly conducts quality inspections to ensure pharmaceutical quality.

GDP is formulated by international organizations such as the EU (European Union) and WHO (World Health Organization) and has been introduced as legal regulation in many countries. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has also formulated the “Good Distribution Practice (GDP) Guidelines for Medicinal Products” and recommends GDP compliance to pharmaceutical distributors.

Assessing the Reliability of Pharmaceutical Distributors

Paying attention to the following points is important to assess the reliability of pharmaceutical distributors:

• Transparency: Check whether the company’s website discloses information such as company overview, business details, and quality control system.
• Communication: Check whether responses to inquiries are prompt and courteous.
• Audit System: Check whether the company undergoes regular audits by third-party organizations.
• Emergency Response: Check whether there are clear measures in place to deal with supply disruptions or quality issues.

Comprehensively assess these points to select a reliable pharmaceutical distributor.

TASAKI PHARMA has established a GDP-compliant quality control system to ensure the proper distribution of pharmaceuticals. We also have extensive experience and a proven track record, earning the trust of many medical institutions. Please feel free to contact us for consultations regarding pharmaceutical procurement.

Summary

Selecting a pharmaceutical distributor is a very important decision to protect the health and safety of patients. Comprehensively assess GDP compliance, quality control system, information provision system, track record, and reputation to select a reliable pharmaceutical distributor. Careful selection is especially important when requiring unapproved or overseas pharmaceuticals. A reliable pharmaceutical distributor guarantees pharmaceutical quality and enables a stable supply. The proper distribution of pharmaceuticals is essential to improve the quality of medical care and enhance patients’ QOL (Quality of Life).