Global Specialty Drug Distribution Industry Growth and Trends Forecast to 2032

Definition

Specialty distributor handle distribution to smaller specialty pharmacies and retail pharmacies. It is common for each specialty pharmaceutical product to have its own go-to-market strategy. Because of the unique specialty drug product specifications, therapy regimens, drug product handling, storage and transportation requirements, pricing, reimbursement and other factors, drug distribution channels and methodologies are impacted and must be considered prior to product launch. Specialty drugs do not necessarily flow directly downstream to the patient via the dispensing pharmacist. Pharmacy benefit-controlled specialty drugs can be more tightly controlled in real time, improving the payers’ ability to track utilization. Specialty drugs are produced by specialty pharmaceutical manufacturers then sent to specialty distributors or large specialty pharmacies. From there, they may be distributed directly to patients or be sent to retail pharmacies. Specialty drugs play an increasingly important role in the treatment of chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), etc.