Source of Our Growth

Distribution Functions That Optimize
the Supply Chain as a Whole

The MEDIPAL Group has built a system that efficiently and reliably delivers the required products at the required time, in just the required amount, by connecting manufacturers in the pharmaceuticals, health,
and beauty fields with medical institutions, dispensing pharmacies, and retailers all over the country, through its independently developed state-of-the-art distribution centers.

Features of ALCs

Shortened inspection time

Saving customers
time

We provide support for streamlining of customers’ operations through distribution functions that leverage high delivery accuracy supported by shortened inspection times by scanning delivery container barcodes (individual scans*) among other procedures, and operational support systems linked to ALCs such as PRESUS®* and McHIL®*.

Delivery ratio

Over 99%

In order to properly manage over 20,000 widely varied products, we independently developed a demand forecasting system based on actual shipments, which has enabled us to achieve a delivery ratio of over 99% with almost no stock-outs.

Ultra-low temperature distribution

Below −150°C

We have developed a storage and delivery system that can handle various temperature ranges, including ultra-low temperatures, to accommodate products such as regenerative medicines that require handling at temperatures below –150°C. We are building a distribution platform with different temperature ranges that can deliver anywhere in Japan.

*Inspection by individual scans：A method shortening product inspection time by switching from the conventional method of reading packing slips to scanning information for individual products from barcodes on the delivery boxes.
*PRESUS® (Pharmacy Real-time Support System)：An all-in-one system that functions together with ALCs to conduct automatic ordering and inventory management based on demand forecasts. This system supports the various operations of dispensing pharmacies.
*McHIL® (Mediceo Hospital Innovative Logistics)：A system that applies ALC functions and know-how to logistics in hospitals. Supports improvement of efficiency in hospital logistics operations.

Features of RDCs

Delivery accuracy

99.999%

The use of JAN and ITF codes for scanning and weight inspection results in minimal mistakes during delivery to stores. Also, we have introduced a high-precision system capable of handling EDI in distribution. This ensures speedy and waste-free logistics by eliminating delivery mistakes.

Enhanced productivity

2 times

The introduction of SPAID has doubled productivity without increasing the number of workers. Introducing robotic solutions for dangerous or labor-intensive work has both strengthened our distribution functions and created distribution centers that are more comfortable for employees.

Number of patents

19(As of March 31, 2021)

We are pursuing distribution technologies to achieve high productivity and low cost. In order to create a new distribution system that utilizes cutting-edge AI technology and robotics, we are progressing with in-house technology development, and have received patents for 19 devices and systems.

New Businesses That Meet Needs and
Create Markets

Drawing on the unique logistics functions of our ALCs and the expertise of our ARs (assist representatives) and other human resources, we create and cultivate new businesses that meet the needs of medical institutions and pharmaceutical companies.

Positioning and Competitive Advantage of New Businesses

The MEDIPAL Group’s new businesses are built on existing business infrastructure. Taking full advantage of our strengths such as a nationwide distribution platform and the expertise of our human resources, we create markets based on meeting the needs of pharmaceutical companies, medical institutions, and doctors and other medical professionals. We focus on new business activities in the areas of PFM® (project finance & marketing), which launched in 2011, the provision of proper information by ARs, PMS (post-marketing surveillance), digital businesses that integrate face-to-face relationships with digital communication, and overseas businesses.
The competitive superiority of our new businesses lies in our ability to identify projects with potential at an early stage then put in place a business model capable of not only achieving commercial success, but also social value. We are able to do this using our keen business insight and ability to execute.

Appropriate information provision by ARs

ARs promote the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals by providing the right information to medical institutions. In addition, they use their advanced specialized knowledge to secure contracts for information collection and provision from major pharmaceutical companies and other operators. ARs are also involved in distribution that requires expertise and specialization, such as for orphan drugs and regenerative medicines.

PFM® Project finance & marketing

PFM® is a business in which MEDIPAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION invests in the development of new drugs of pharmaceutical companies in order to receive returns on investment after these drugs go to market (project finance), and sell and distribute them to medical institutions preferentially (marketing).

PMS Post-marketing surveillance

PMS consists of early post-marketing phase vigilance and post-marketing surveillance conducted after the sale of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in order to ensure their quality, efficacy, and safety. The MEDIPAL Group handles a full range of contracted PMS operations from protocol design to report preparation.

Digital businesses

Having developed strong partnerships with ICT companies that possess leading technologies, we are moving forward with DX (digital transformation) of patient-centered healthcare and information provision to medical institutions.

Overseas businesses

We are steadily securing a foothold for overseas expansion. Since our investment in a Chinese pharmaceutical wholesaler in 2009, we have accumulated overseas business experience, know-how and cultivated human resources.

Human Resources with Advanced
Specialized Capabilities

Amid the great change in social needs in a super-aging society, we support
sustainable growth by fostering human resources with not only a strong
ethical sense, but also wide-ranging specialized knowledge.

Human Resources with Specialized Knowledge

(Number of personnel)

Qualification Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2019		 Fiscal year Ended
March 31, 2020		 Fiscal year Ended
March 31, 2021
MR qualification*1 2,298 2,391 2,581
DMR＊qualification*1 344 344*2 375
Pharmacists (including supervising pharmacists)*3 522 513 503
Veterinarians*3 6 7 8
Hazardous material security officers*3 42 38 39
  • *1 Cumulative total of qualified personnel
  • *2 The qualifying examination for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 was not held.
  • *3 As of March 31
  • *DMR (Diagnostics Medical information Representatives)：Person in charge of diagnostics medical information.

Positioning of ARs

The Prescription Pharmaceutical Wholesale Business has been implementing its own education program since 2009 to support employees who take the MR (Medical Representative) qualification exam. An AR combines the agility of an MS with the expertise of an MR. In addition to carrying out extensive and high-level sales activities, ARs also promote business as creators of new value.

Support for AR training to contribute to the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals

The AR Training Department where I work provides integrated education from initial training as an AR to subsequent skill and knowledge enhancement training. To support MSs (marketing specialists) who want to become ARs by passing the MR qualification examination, I arrange lecturers and create training materials. I help break down complicated terminology into more accessible language using my specialized knowledge as a pharmacist. I work every day to improve my ability to help them steadily acquire the basic knowledge required to pass the exam. This includes deepening their understanding of specialized terminology, pharmaceuticals, and different diseases.
Going forward, I want to continue to help develop as many ARs as I can because their work not only supports pharmaceutical distribution but also contributes to medical treatment by promoting the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals.

Naomi Yoshida
AR Planning and Management Group,
AR Training Department, MEDICEO CORPORATION

Creating Frameworks by Establishing
Business Partnerships

Through collaboration with companies in various fields, medical institutions, and local governments, we are building business models not bound by existing frameworks.

Providing Groundbreaking Services Unique to MEDIPAL

To continue to respond to increasingly diverse social needs, we are collaborating with companies in various fields, as well as medical institutions and local governments, to create new and unprecedented business models. In addition to the MEDIPAL Group’s network of pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions, we leverage our special capabilities, such as our nationwide distribution network and technology for pharmaceutical distribution at controlled temperatures, to develop groundbreaking services unique to the Group.
In particular, by providing digital healthcare solutions in the medical and healthcare sectors, we offer numerous services that benefit not only medical institutions but also the health of patients and the general public by integrating face-to-face relationships with digital communication

■ Building a Digital Healthcare Platform: Integrating Face-to-Face Relationships with Digital Communication

Main Initiatives

Company name Initiative
SBI Investment Co., Ltd. Joint establishment of CVC (corporate venture capital) fund called MEDIPAL Innovation Fund in 2021. Leveraging SBI Investment’s accumulated experience in nurturing venture businesses, we will invest in startups where synergies with MEDIPAL’s businesses can be expected.
H.U. Group Holdings, Inc. Strategic business alliance in the medical and healthcare sectors in 2020. Aims to realize ESG/SDG-friendly lowenvironmental burden operations through the sharing of ordering systems, warehouse infrastructure, and other logistics functions. In addition, the initiative aims to promote the utilization of medical and healthcare information and exploration of projects in the field of regenerative medicines.
Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation Business alliance in 2019. Aims to establish an optimal pharmaceutical distribution system covering all processes from launch to delivery to final customers. In addition, the initiative will establish a platform for distribution under strict temperature control using DP-Cool, a refrigerated pharmaceutical transportation service compliant with GDP (good distribution practice ) guidelines.
MTI Ltd. Capital and business alliance in 2016. Various projects including promotion of Luna-Luna Medico service, which puts women in touch with physicians, and child health handbook app “Boshi-mo” operated by MTI. Subsidiary CARADA medica Inc. also promotes the spread of “CARADA online medical consultation” and “CARADA electronic medication history system, Solamichi.”
Medical Data Vision Co., Ltd. Capital and business alliance in 2006. Creation and operation of the medical information portal site “Clinical Cloud by MEDIPAL” in collaboration with the partner’s subsidiary Doctorbook Inc.