Subhajit Basu

Director

India's specialty drug distribution market is projected to reach around $5,997.7 million by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.93 percent. But what makes one efficient specialty drug distributor in India? Is it maintaining a robust supply chain or navigating the country’s regulatory framework? Until a decade ago, the landscape that was dominated largely by multinational companies had seen a huge shift due to the government pushing the Make in India initiative and revising procurement policies.

As a result, the focus has moved toward Indian manufacturers and for distributors, this means working closely with both global and Indian players, navigating new certifications, and staying agile in a space where innovation meets regulation.

Tradeco Pharmaceuticals, established in 2015 as a sister concern of M/s Tradeco, continues to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical products to government hospitals across West Bengal. Operating from its base at Kolkata, the company specializes in supplying essential medicines for conditions such as Diabetes, Hemophilia, Thalassemia, Anesthesia, and Cancer.

These are sourced from leading multinational corporations and prominent Indian manufacturers, ensuring stringent quality standards. “We are certainly optimistic about the Make in India initiative, which is fostering the local production of highquality medicines once dominated by global manufacturers. This shift not only improves affordability but also ensures better availability of critical treatments”, adds Subhajit Basu, Director, Tradeco Pharmaceuticals.

From Grassroots to Government

What differentiates Tradeco Pharmaceuticals from its competitors is its unmatched customer service and operational excellence. The company consistently ensures the supply of the full quantity of goods as per order, adheres strictly to delivery timelines, and even fulfills the supply of medicines and medical articles outside tender agreements within the stipulated time.

This level of dependability and responsiveness has positioned Tradeco Pharmaceuticals as a trusted and unparalleled pharmaceutical distributor, playing an outstanding role in supporting public healthcare institutions.

“We follow a holistic model that allows us to be involved from the very beginning of a drug’s journey, starting with identifying unmet patient needs. We also play an advisory role by guiding government institutions on the clinical relevance of emerging treatments and helping incorporate innovative molecules into public procurement systems”, informs Subhajit.

Innovation, Infrastructure, & Integrity

Tradeco Pharmaceuticals continues to redefine pharmaceutical distribution through a comprehensive approach rooted in operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and patientcentric innovation. Anchored in the eastern region of India, the company supports public healthcare systems by supplying high-quality medicines, including anti-diabetic, haemophilic, and anti-cancer drugs, at affordable prices.

Tradeco Pharmaceuticals' stronghold in therapeutic segments like Diabetology, Nephrology, and Oncology is reinforced by its distribution of flagship products such as Pre-Filled Insulin Pens, Gliptins, SGLT-2 inhibitors, Recombinant Hemophilic Factors (VII, VIII, IX), and advanced therapies like MAB and Targeted Cell Therapy, all sourced from WHO-GMP-certified manufacturers.

To ensure timely and safe delivery, the company has built a robust logistics infrastructure, including refrigerated storage and cold chain vans for temperature-sensitive medicines. With a commitment to zero treatment disruption, it guarantees delivery across West Bengal within 48–72 hours.

The company’s digitized supply chain enables real-time order tracking, delivery confirmation, and transparent invoicing. A dedicated data team also monitors pricing and availability trends, aiding strategic tender participation and maintaining one-month buffer stocks for uninterrupted supply during fluctuations.

Tradeco Pharmaceuticals places a premium on regulatory compliance, upheld through regular audits, ISO certifications, and comprehensive staff training. Its distribution model strictly adheres to government-approved channels, minimizing risks of counterfeit medicines infiltrating the supply chain.

Quality is further ensured through partnerships with reputed pharma giants and stringent NABL-certified testing. Beyond logistics and compliance, Tradeco Pharmaceuticals is actively engaged in patient education.

It supports interactions among physicians, diabetic educators, and patients to ensure informed usage of therapies. Collaborations with manufacturers also promote awareness of proper administration, particularly for complex treatments. In line with sustainability goals, the company discourages the reuse of disposables and complies with biomedical waste regulations, while progressively exploring eco-friendly packaging options.

The Way Ahead

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the fragility and vulnerability of the Indian healthcare system. During this critical period, Tradeco Pharmaceuticals played a vital role, ensuring the uninterrupted supply of Remdesivir to the West Bengal government and contributing ?5 lakhs to the state’s COVID relief fund.

In recognition of its outstanding efforts, the company received prestigious honors such as the MSN 5000 award and was featured among the Top 10 Most Promising Distributors in India by Asia Business Outlook - 2023.

Looking forward, Tradeco Pharmaceuticals aims to significantly expand its footprint beyond West Bengal to other Eastern states such as Odisha, Assam, Sikkim, and Jharkhand, with a long-term vision of pan-India operations. A key part of this strategy includes collaborating with state governments under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to introduce modern medical equipment and therapies at affordable rates in public hospitals.

With a strategic focus on critical healthcare segments like Nephrology, Oncology, and Diabetology, the company is working closely with WHO-GMP-certified manufacturers to ensure quality and compliance. It continues to participate in government tenders, offering competitive pricing and timely delivery of specialty medicines including Anti- Diabetic, Hemophilia, and Anti-Cancer drugs.

Although global expansion poses challenges, particularly regarding product quality from certain foreign markets,Tradeco Pharmaceuticals is aligning with R&D-driven companies that enable adherence to international standards.

“As cuttingedge therapies and digital health technologies transform the pharmaceutical landscape, we plan to strengthen our collaboration with manufacturers and public institutions to fast-track the adoption of innovative treatments in India.

We are also committed to modernizing our supply chain by exploring AI, blockchain, and predictive analytics to improve logistics, ensure product authenticity, and enhance delivery efficiency”, concludes Subhajit.