The Responsible Person: The Role at the Heart of Medicine Distribution

Every licensed wholesaler in the UK must name a Responsible Person, often shortened to RP. It is one of the most important roles in the medicines supply chain, yet many buyers have never been told who their supplier's RP is.

What the Responsible Person does

The RP is accountable for making sure the wholesaler complies with Good Distribution Practice and the conditions of its licence. In practice that means:

• Approving suppliers and customers before trade begins.

• Overseeing the quality management system and written procedures.

• Making decisions on returned, recalled or suspected falsified stock.

• Ensuring staff are trained and that self-inspections take place.

• Acting as the main contact for the MHRA during inspections.

Why buyers should care

If a product arrives damaged, if you suspect a falsified pack, or if a recall affects your stock, the RP is the person who should make the call. A supplier with a visible, reachable RP is a supplier that takes quality seriously.

Questions worth asking

• Who is your Responsible Person, and how can I contact them about a quality issue?

• How quickly do you notify customers of recalls?

• How do you qualify new customers like my pharmacy or clinic?

The RP role is a safeguard for patients, and a good one is a sign that your wholesaler is built to last. Acorn Pharmaceuticals is happy to introduce its Responsible Person to any new trade customer.