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SELF-WAREHOUSING:

Self-warehousing occurs when retail or institutional dis-

pensers take on the task of distribution themselves. Instead of relying upon an

outside distributors, the retailers or health care institutions buy direct from the

manufacturers; store the drugs in one or more of its own warehouse and then

delivers the drugs to its retail stores and hospitals as needed. This method places

pressure on the wholesalers since more HMOs and medical centers are increas-

ingly use this approach, which enable thus also to dispense directly to patients

via the mail (Internet).