Compliance Scoring Methodology
Every distributor in the ColdChainCheck directory receives a compliance score from 0 to 100. The score aggregates six independent data signals — state licensing coverage, NABP accreditation, FDA registration, DSCSA reporting, DEA registration, and regulatory action history — into a single weighted number that gives you a fast, consistent read on a distributor's compliance posture.
How the Score Is Calculated
The compliance score is the sum of six weighted components, each scored independently against verified source data. The maximum achievable score is 100 points, though the current maximum is 90 because DEA registration data is not yet available for all entities.
Score breakdown at a glance
Scoring Components
State Licenses
Points are awarded based on how many states the distributor holds active licenses in, and how clean their license record is.
- 1.5 points per state with an active license (up to 10 states = 15 points max)
- +10 bonus if 100% of all licenses are currently active
- +5 bonus if more than 80% of licenses are active
- −5 penalty if any license is suspended or revoked
NABP Accreditation
NABP VAWD (Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors) and DSCSA Accreditation Program status, as reported by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- Accredited: 25 points
- Pending: 10 points
- Expired: 5 points
- Revoked / Not accredited: 0 points
FDA Registration
Drug Establishment Registration status in the FDA Electronic Drug Registration and Listing System (eDRLS). Distributors are required to register with FDA under 21 CFR Part 207.
- Registered with no warning letters: 20 points
- Registered with active warning letters: 10 points
- Not registered or registration inactive: 0 points
DSCSA Reporting
Whether the distributor has reported to the FDA as a wholesale drug distributor or third-party logistics (3PL) provider under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), 21 U.S.C. § 360eee-2.
- Reported to FDA: 10 points
- Not reported: 0 points
DEA Registration
Drug Enforcement Administration registration status for distributors handling controlled substances.
- Active registration: 10 points
- Expired registration: 3 points
- No registration or inactive: 0 points
Note: DEA registration data is currently unavailable — all entities score 0 on this component until data sourcing is complete. The maximum achievable score today is 90.
Regulatory Actions
Rewards a clean regulatory record. All distributors start with 10 points; negative signals reduce the score based on verified enforcement history.
- Clean record (no warning letters, no recalls): 10 points
- −3 points per FDA warning letter
- −2 points per product recall
- Minimum score: 0 (cannot go below zero)
Interpreting Scores
Use these bands as a starting point for evaluating a distributor's compliance standing. Always review the individual component breakdown and verify critical data points directly with the relevant regulatory authority before making sourcing decisions.
Excellent
Active licenses across multiple states, NABP accredited, FDA registered, clean regulatory record.
Good
Strong compliance posture with minor gaps — a pending accreditation, expired license, or isolated regulatory event.
Fair
Adequate compliance but notable gaps in accreditation, limited state coverage, or moderate regulatory history.
Needs Review
Significant compliance gaps: limited licenses, no accreditation, unresolved regulatory actions. Verify directly with the distributor.
Data Sources
Compliance data is sourced from official government and accreditation databases. ColdChainCheck does not generate or infer compliance status — all signals are sourced directly from the authoritative record.
State Boards of Pharmacy
Wholesale distributor license status sourced from all 50 state pharmacy boards, cross-referenced against the FDA Wholesale Drug Distributor and Third-Party Logistics Provider report.
NABP Board DirectoryNABP VAWD Program
Accreditation status for the NABP Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors program, verified directly against the NABP accredited-facility registry.
NABP VAWD ProgramFDA eDRLS
Drug Establishment Registration data from the FDA Electronic Drug Registration and Listing System (eDRLS) at accessdata.fda.gov.
FDA eDRLS SearchFDA openFDA Enforcement API
Product recall and enforcement action data sourced from the FDA openFDA enforcement dataset, updated regularly as FDA publishes new enforcement reports.
openFDA Enforcement APIDEA Registration Database
Drug Enforcement Administration registrant data for distributors handling Schedule II–V controlled substances. Data sourcing is in progress.
DEA Diversion ControlUpdate Frequency
Data is refreshed regularly from official government sources. State license records, FDA registration data, and enforcement actions are updated on a rolling basis as source data becomes available. NABP accreditation status is cross-referenced against the NABP registry periodically. Because regulatory status can change between our update cycles, always confirm current standing directly with the relevant agency for time-sensitive compliance decisions.