The role of distributors in healthcare

More than healthcare logistics

The work that distributors do daily to support and protect the pharmaceutical supply chain only becomes more crucial during times of extreme circumstance–like the spread of COVID-19–and we are prepared to navigate these unique challenges.

Maintaining the Drug Supply Chain During the COVID-19 Pandemic, PM360

How AmerisourceBergen adjusted operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Becker's Hospital Review

Keeping the Supply Chain Strong, Chain Drug Review

$33-53 billion annual savings

Pharmaceutical distributors save the healthcare industry $33-53 billion per year in healthcare costs.

Advancing connections across healthcare

distributors connect more than

1,300

manufacturers

to

180,000+

dispensing partners

92%

of pharmaceutical sales move through distributors

Read more in the latest industry report from HDA

As a pharmaceutical distributor, we efficiently supply hundreds of thousands of sites of care with life-saving medications every day–impacting the health and wellness of millions of people. Our role in healthcare creates value beyond distribution alone.

Enable Financial Stability

Distributors pay manufacturers up front for products and take on financial ownership and significant risk of collecting payment from provider customers. This allows manufacturers to invest in innovation and other core functions. We also help providers cover the cost of products between dispensing and reimbursement as they manage tight cash flow in an environment where reimbursement is constantly in flux.

Facilitate Business Intelligence

We provide essential, aggregated data on products and share insights from helping manufacturers bring hundreds of live-saving therapies to market annually. Community providers nationwide rely on us for insights to help them navigate change, optimize business performance, implement the latest technology, amplify their value in the community, and most importantly, find more time to focus on what matters most–their patients.

Protect the Supply Chain

Distributors protect the healthcare supply chain against fraudulent activities that could harm patients. We implement the latest industry-wide solutions and technology to provide vigilant validation. We invest in advanced technology for our distribution centers, providing each location with state-of-the-art equipment to keep our products secure and our associates safe.

The value of pharmaceutical care and the healthcare supply chain

Bob Mauch, Executive Vice President and Group President of AmerisourceBergen, shares insight into how distributors work to bring efficiencies and savings to the healthcare system.

AmerisourceBergen

How Do Allocations Work for the Pharma Supply Chain?

Heather Zenk, RPh, PharmD

AmerisourceBergen

The ability to get pharmaceuticals to the right place at the right time is predicated on the distributor taking on financial risk, which ultimately benefits manufacturers, healthcare providers, and patients in meaningful ways.

Robert mauch, executive vice president and group president, amerisourcebergen

What would happen in a world without distributors?

See the rise in cost and complexity

Five Trends on the Horizon in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Key players in the health care ecosystem include the manufacturers, providers and patients. But who connects them all? Distributors.

An active voice for pharmaceutical care

At AmerisourceBergen, we actively meet with legislators on The Hill every day to discuss the issues that matter most to the pharmaceutical industry. Learn how AmerisourceBergen is taking a leading role in advocating for the future of healthcare.