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Four Benefits of Simplifying Nationwide Pharmaceutical Distribution

Finished goods distribution, whether for medical devices or pharmaceutical products, can present significant administrative challenges. These can include the complexities of coordinating inbound supply, packaging, maintaining regulatory compliance, and getting finished goods where they are needed quickly and safely. Pharmaceutical product distribution, though, involves an extra layer of administration in the form of maintaining the licensing required to distribute within and across state lines.

Reducing the administrative burden can free up capacity in operationally advantageous ways, from reducing the risk of non-compliance to focusing talent on high-growth areas. Millstone’s newest service, Finished Goods Distribution for Pharmaceutical Products, offers four key benefits for pharmaceutical product manufacturers.

Simplify licensing

Applying for and maintaining licensing can be a heavy administrative burden. While only half of states require licensing, obtaining licenses for those 25 can enable a manufacturer to distribute to all 50 states. Yet, timelines can be overlapping, causing confusion. Some licenses are renewed every year, while others are renewed every other year. Each renewal requires filling out a new application, paying the fee, and going through the fingerprinting and background-checking process. In addition, four states require annual reporting of product shipped into the state, which can be very cumbersome to compile; each state requires a different format for submission. Failure to maintain licensing in good standing, however, means a facility could risk non-compliance or supply chain disruption while a license is renewed or reinstated.

By partnering with Millstone, manufacturers reduce the risk of non-compliance while also saving the cost of application fees and renewals. Millstone maintains licensure with all states requiring it, carrying the administrative burden of tracking all licensure renewal timelines and details.

Consolidate suppliers

Medical manufacturers engaged in finished goods distribution for both medical devices and pharmaceutical products can realize cost efficiencies by consolidating suppliers. The administrative demand of coordinating communication and shipping with multiple suppliers can quickly eat into productivity. Streamlining supplier relations can save staff time and cost through smarter resource allocation.

Millstone offers finished goods distribution for medical devices as well as pharmaceutical distribution via a single outsourcing partner.

Reduce risk

Ensuring the safety of the pharmaceutical supply chain is paramount to protect patients. The pharmaceutical supply chain can be vulnerable and ensuring compliance can help to protect patients—and the drug supply—from counterfeit or contaminated drugs. Achieving and maintaining VAWD accreditation is an important step in safeguarding the supply chain, and accreditation is only bestowed after a rigorous review process.

Millstone has achieved VAWD accreditation and manages the administration necessary to maintain licensing nationwide to ensure compliance.

Increase velocity and visibility

Manufacturers that seek to grow quickly benefit from increasing velocity. Often, an increase in velocity is easiest to achieve by meeting demand with supply more effectively. Doing so, though, can require an extended shipping window, which can drive up overhead costs. In addition, greater inventory visibility can ensure better translation of demand through the supply chain—but often the tools required to achieve this can be cost-prohibitive.

With extended shipping windows, expedited shipping, and a location close to a major nationwide distribution hub, Millstone provides the distribution excellence necessary to increase velocity. In addition, Millstone offers options for environmentally controlled storage to manufacturers’ specifications. Real-time inventory tracking and online visibility into order status and internal processing are features of the service.

At Millstone, we get it. We believe quality drives patient success. That’s why we’ve perfected all the capabilities medical device manufacturers need to get to market. Today we offer post-manufacturing and aftermarket services to more than 50 customers, including some of the top 10 orthopedic companies in the world. We are constantly evolving our processes and services to help OEMs achieve sustainable success. We offer clean room packaging, medical device specific warehousing, finished goods distribution, loaner kit management, advanced inspection and reverse logistics services—all with an unparalleled focus on quality.

What could we help you do better? Learn more at https://millstonemedical.com.