Oriola Oy is the second largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in Finland, with a market share of about 46 per cent*. In addition, Oriola sells and markets a very comprehensive range of consumer health products.
*IMS Health
Pharmaceutical market
In Finland, pharmaceutical distribution takes place with a single-channel model in which pharmaceutical manufacturers focus the distribution of their products on a single pharmaceutical wholesaler. The operation of pharmaceutical wholesalers is strictly regulated and controlled. To meet the requirements, the companies operating in the market have to invest in continuous development and state-of-the-art technology.
Pharmaceutical wholesale services
Oriola’s wholesale operation covers the entire country. The main distribution centre is located in Espoo in Helsinki Metropolitan area and the Northern Finland distribution centre in Oulu. Oriola provides logistics services; pharmaceutical storage, order-picking and distribution to customers.
Value added services
In addition to distribution activities Oriola provides pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies various added value services, such as the distribution of clinical trials medicines and medical samples, storage and distribution services for marketing materials and other logistics solutions. In 2010, a new added value service was introduced: the procurement of unlicensed products. In other words, Oriola imports and distributes to hospitals medicinal products that previously had no marketing authorisation in Finland.
Quality in Oriola
In the processing and distribution of pharmaceuticals, Oriola invests in quality and accuracy. The Five Star Company quality program was launched in spring 2010. The goal is to gain the ISO 9001 quality certification for the Finnish operations during 2011. In the quality program, all the main pharmaceutical wholesale processes and their sub-processes are inspected in detail. Particular attention has been paid to the storage, processing and distribution of temperature-controlled products. In 2010, the main distribution centre in Espoo introduced new cold store facilities to meet the growth and quality requirements of temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals. The operation of the order-picking facilities was also improved.
Consumer Health Products
Besides pharmaceutical distribution and added value services, Oriola Oy sells and markets consumer health products to pharmacies and the groceries. Oriola-KD’s product categories include vitamins, food supplements, pharmacy cosmetics, skincare products, tests, sports drinks and, as the latest launch in 2010, wound care products. The product range boasts the leading health and wellbeing brands in Finland, such as Gefilus, Lysi, Pansuola, Avéne and several other own brands.