Open AccessValue-added service provision through ICT by drug wholesalers in Japan
Author(s) -
Tsutomu Nakamura
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
netcom
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2431-210X
pISSN - 0987-6014
DOI - 10.4000/netcom.535
Subject(s) - business , information and communications technology , distribution (mathematics) , service (business) , pharmacy , marketing , value (mathematics) , computer science , medicine , world wide web , mathematics , mathematical analysis , family medicine , machine learning
This report examines the ways in which drug wholesalers have played a role in healthcare distribution in Japan. Such merchants have reorganized their operations and provided new value-added services for customers through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). In addition to performing intermediate distribution, they have also intensified logistics functions for pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies. Because drug wholesalers need to meet the local needs of specific regions when introducing ICT, the technology is not implemented in all areas. The results of this survey on drug wholesalers highlight the balance between the potential for expanding geographic reach and practicing local specialization