When a wholesaler purchases directly from the manufacturer, what designation does the wholesaler have?

• A. A registered distributor of record.
• B. A nonresident distributor.
• C. Authorized distributor of record.
• D. A licensed wholesaler.

Answer: (C)

When a wholesaler buys directly from the manufacturer, that wholesaler is designated as an Authorized Distributor of Record. This label shows the manufacturer has explicitly approved and designated them as the official source to purchase, hold, and distribute the product, creating a verifiable chain of custody. It signals that the distributor has met the manufacturer’s criteria and will maintain the necessary records for traceability and authenticity, which is crucial for compliance and safety in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The other terms don’t capture this specific manufacturer-approval and record-keeping relationship.