What is an example of a virtual distributor in pharmaceutical distribution?

What is an example of a virtual distributor in pharmaceutical distribution?

• A. A pharmacy orders a case directly from the wholesaler.
• B. A pharmacy orders a case from the distributor.
• C. A pharmacy orders a case from the wholesaler, who orders it from the manufacturer.
• D. A pharmacy orders a case from the manufacturer.

Answer: (C)

A virtual distributor operates without keeping its own inventory and instead fulfills orders by arranging shipment from the manufacturer to the pharmacy. In this setup, the pharmacy places an order with the distributor, and the distributor sources that product from the manufacturer to complete the order. That flow—pharmacy to distributor to manufacturer—demonstrates the virtual-distributor model, where the intermediary connects the pharmacy directly with the manufacturer rather than stocking products themselves. The other scenarios describe traditional stockholding or direct-from-manufacturer arrangements, which do not illustrate a virtual-distributor setup.

A virtual distributor operates without keeping its own inventory and instead fulfills orders by arranging shipment from the manufacturer to the pharmacy. In this setup, the pharmacy places an order with the distributor, and the distributor sources that product from the manufacturer to complete the order. That flow—pharmacy to distributor to manufacturer—demonstrates the virtual-distributor model, where the intermediary connects the pharmacy directly with the manufacturer rather than stocking products themselves. The other scenarios describe traditional stockholding or direct-from-manufacturer arrangements, which do not illustrate a virtual-distributor setup.