Pharmaceutical distribution: an essential distribution chain
Little known by the general public, pharmaceutical wholesale distributors play an essential intermediary role between pharmaceutical laboratories and pharmacists. Without companies like us, pharmacists would have to order drugs and health products from more than 500 suppliers. This would be very difficult to manage.
Pharmaceutical wholesalers give pharmacists the opportunity to order all their products (branded drugs, generic drugs, medical devices, general pharmacy products, etc.) through a single intermediary.
In France, the pharmaceutical distribution industry is subject to strict regulations. Prices are regulated by public authorities according to the French Public Health Code. The entire business is governed by a guide to good distribution practices. This means that many constraints are imposed on those who are part of this industry.
While being authorized to purchase drugs, hold stocks, and sell and distribute products, distributors are also subject to various duties governed by regulations when it comes to serving the public.
Our two main activities: pharmaceutical distribution and services to pharmacists
With nearly 100 years of experience, today, OCP is far more than a simple pharmaceutical distributor.
Every day, OCP distributes 2 million boxes of drugs and healthcare products to its 14,000 pharmacies and 2,000 hospital pharmacy customers throughout France.
From managing stocks to meeting delivery deadlines, our job is to supply pharmacies by providing them with simple and rapid 24-hour supply solutions under optimal safety and quality conditions. Our expertise enables meticulous, rigorous, and serious order preparation to deliver the health products needed by each patient, while ensuring equal access to medical treatment throughout the national region.
OCP is in constant contact with pharmacists and offers innovative solutions to meet the needs of our pharmacy customers, helping them in the face of ever-increasing competition.
OCP provides dispensing pharmacists with numerous services and financing options to support them during the life-span of their dispensary, whether they’re setting up for the first time, developing a project or carrying out refurbishment work…
Thanks to the Link digital platform, the experience of managing a pharmacy on a daily basis is greatly enhanced (simplified purchasing and performance monitoring, easier patient monitoring, making the most of managing the pharmacy team, etc.). OCP Training also offers certified professional training courses led by experts.
The safety and availability of treatments is our top priority
In view of an increase in drug shortages over recent years and the impact this has on pharmacies and patient compliance, in 2017, OCP revolutionized the pharmacy supply chain.
We developed a new model for pharmaceutical logistics. This is simpler, faster, and more efficient, thanks to our stock centralization and synchronization platform (PCS). This ensures better product availability on a daily basis throughout France.
With rigorous logistical procedures in place (traceability, cold chain compliance, delivery conditions, etc.), OCP plays a key role in ensuring a flowing medication supply chain and the eradication of counterfeits.
A special partnership with networks of independent pharmacists
Today, being part of a network of pharmacies is a real asset for the member pharmacies. Expertise, advice, personalized support services, products at reduced prices, management and communication tools, digital solutions … all help to promote growth and exchanging knowledge and skills. Ultimately, this strengthens the spirit of solidarity when faced with competition.
As the leading wholesale distributor for the independent pharmacy networks, Pharmactiv, Pharmacie Reference and Reseau Sante, OCP helps to synergize numerous processes to allow each network to grow and strive for excellence, while bearing in mind that these networks are independent.
Thanks to OCP’s DépoTrade purchasing center, every day, we collaborate with laboratories to optimize purchases and strengthen the competitive edge of our 3,000 client pharmacies.
As the leading distributor in France and a subsidiary of the international McKesson group, one of the world leaders in the sector, OCP harnesses the skills and expertise of its employees to ensure better health for everyone on a daily basis.
