Wholesale Drug Distributors in Rhode Island

Wholesale drug distributors operating in or shipping into Rhode Island must obtain a license from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), Division of Drug Control. Both resident distributors with facilities in Rhode Island and non-resident distributors shipping prescription drugs into the state are subject to state licensing requirements under the Rhode Island Drug Distributors Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-31-1 et seq.).

The Rhode Island Department of Health, Division of Drug Control (RIDOH) holds primary regulatory authority over wholesale drug distributor licensing. The Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy also maintains oversight authority for certain pharmacy-related wholesale activities under R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-19.1-1 et seq. (Pharmacy Practice Act).

Licensing requirements are established in:

Contact information for the Division of Drug Control: https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=231

Rhode Island requires licensing for the following entity types:

The following entities are typically exempt from wholesale distributor licensing (verify current exemptions with RIDOH):

FDA registration does not satisfy Rhode Island state licensing requirements. Entities must hold both federal registration and state licensure.

Applicants must submit the following documentation to RIDOH Division of Drug Control:

1. Contact RIDOH Division of Drug Control to request current application forms and instructions, or download from the RIDOH website

2. Complete the application form in its entirety