Pharmaceutical Trade Regulation

The Pharmaceutical Trade Regulation controls companies and institutions that distribute medicinal products as wholesalers. Distribution practices must comply with EU guidelines for medicines, and each company needs a quality assurance system that maintains operational activities. The focus is on ensuring that medicines are only purchased by authorized companies and only supplied to designated facilities. When trading medicines, it must also be ensured that quality is maintained during transport and storage. In addition, the risk of mix-ups must always be ruled out, so that it is possible to trace the preparation.

The Pharmaceuticals Ordinance also stipulates that each facility must authorize a qualified person to monitor and be responsible for compliance with the guidelines. Companies that purchase pharmaceuticals must check upon receipt that the goods are undamaged and exactly match the order. In addition, the supplier must be checked for authorization. Establishments authorized to receive pharmaceuticals include dentists, veterinarians, pharmacies and health care facilities. Furthermore, police, Federal Armed Forces, certain government institutions, and university or college research facilities are authorized as well. Wholesalers and suppliers must document the receipt, dispensing and, if necessary, decanting. If the suspicion of drug counterfeiting arises, authorities and marketing authorization holders must be informed immediately.