Pharmaceutical Products--W'salers & Mfrs

The pharmaceutical product manufacturing industry is comprised of companies that manufacture a variety of medicinal and pharmaceutical products. After manufacture, these items are either distributed by the manufacturer itself or via wholesalers to pharmacies, hospitals and other suitable retail outlets.

Products include prescription only (scheduled) drugs; over the counter, herbal and other medicines; medicinal chemicals such as antibacterial washes; hygiene and health care products such as nappies, sanitary pads, tampons and vitamins; medical gases and ether; veterinary products; vaccines; and generic or branded domestic and international pharma-products for use in such fields as biotechnology and other medical research and development. The majority of pharmaceutical manufacturers are responsible for only the end stages of the manufacturing process including dispensing and packaging, the fill and finish stages, and distribution.

Pharmaceutical wholesalers procure, distribute and sell these ranges of pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry products supplied by the upstream manufacturers. Pharmaceutical wholesalers provide an interface between local and international pharmaceutical manufacturers and the pharmacies and hospitals, and others to which they distribute products. Although the major pharmaceutical product wholesalers are ‘full-line’ wholesalers, there are a number of other ‘short-line’ wholesalers who supply particular market segments. Packaging, manufacture and distribution of pharmaceutical products are strictly regulated in Australia by entities such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which regulates the extent to which therapeutic pharmaceutical products or components may be supplied or sold.