If you want to break into the pharmaceutical fulfillment industry, sometimes called pharma fulfillment, you'll find some great bench marks to help you chart the right course to success. As the pharmaceuticals business continues to explode, its multiple customers continue to require deliveries on their demanding schedules.

Customers of drug manufacturers include pharmacies, hospitals, pharmaceutical wholesalers supporting the health care industry and individual consumers, so package sizes range anywhere from pallets all the way down to individual packages. In addition to the pharmaceutical fulfillments of storage, packaging and shipping of drugs for sale, you should take a look at the product literature and product sample angles of pharmaceutical fulfillment, too. As you consider your options, keep the following in mind:

1. Perform thorough due diligence on the regulatory compliance issues for pharmaceutical fulfillment like security, storing and shipping controlled substances.

2. Evaluate your resources, business plan and strategic goals to ensure you can successfully take on pharmaceutical fulfillment.

3. Feel comfortable that the technology you employ in your business will make you competitive with other pharmaceuticals fulfillment companies.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase the software that can best help you with pharmaceutical fulfillment

To keep up with the rigorous demands of pharmaceutical fulfillment, you need the right software to manage and control the streamlined processes involved in fulfillment at your warehouse or distribution center.

I recommend: You should contact Core e-business solutions and ask about their CoreWarehouse management software to improve your pharmaceutical fulfillment services. Pharmaceutical fulfillment at your company might also benefit from contacting Cadre Technologies to discuss the software solution they can offer you that could turn your business into a thriving pharmaceutical fulfillment center.

Research existing pharmaceutical fulfillment houses

Regarding fulfillment, pharmaceutical fulfillment companies currently in business can steer you towards or away from fulfillment services you might want to pursue. Looking at other companies can also alert you to general storage facility requirements, technology and transportation delivery systems you'll need.

I recommend: Consider incorporating some of the mail order facilitation, packaging, warehousing and reporting services PrePak Systems provides. Learn more about the product fulfillment services Kuehne + Nagel offers its customers, including temperature/humidity control for storage, lot-level traceability, recall and quarantine services and high-security areas.

Learn more about the marketing side of pharmaceutical fulfillment

If you only want to take on the warehousing/shipping side of the pharmaceuticals fulfillment industry, consider ways to team up with someone on the marketing end of the industry. If that doesn't seem feasible, you might consider incorporating some aspect of pharmaceutical product literature and sample fulfillment into your own business.

I recommend: Download the pharmaceutical brochure at Budco to identify potential ways to partner with this company that provides marketing and direct-to-consumer programs for pharmaceutical companies and the agencies they do business with. You might also consider the ways you could benefit from a company like Aero Fulfillment Services that specializes in delivery of product samples and literature.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Think strategically about the placement of your warehouses and distribution centers for pharmaceuticals fulfillment to minimize your shipping costs and maximize your flexibility and ability to accomplish just-in-time deliveries.