What is a primary wholesaler?

• A. A distributor that ships directly to patients
• B. A retail store that sells medications to the public
• C. Wholesalers that have a wide array of prescription and OTC products
• D. A manufacturer that supplies hospitals

Answer: (C)

A primary wholesaler is a large distributor that stocks a broad catalog of prescription medications and over-the-counter products and supplies them to pharmacies and other healthcare outlets. This setup makes them the main source of inventory for many pharmacies, offering wide product availability and consolidated purchasing from multiple manufacturers. They handle ordering, shipping, and often terms like credit or volume discounts, which keeps pharmacy shelves stocked efficiently.

This fits because the description emphasizes a wide array of prescription and OTC products supplied through a wholesale channel. A distributor that ships directly to patients describes patient-facing fulfillment rather than wholesale distribution. A retail store selling to the public is the end point of sales, not the wholesale supplier. A manufacturer supplies products but does not function as the distributor to pharmacies.