By pharmacists, for pharmacies
Secondary pharmaceutical wholesaler for independent pharmacies
Empire Rx Distributors is a pharmacist-owned, NABP-accredited wholesale drug distributor in Staten Island, New York, supplying generic and brand Rx, OTC medications and diabetic supplies to independent, retail and long-term-care pharmacies in 37 states and territories. We are built for one job: to be the secondary supplier that beats your primary on the items that matter — with the expiration date on every listing, DSCSA data with every tote, and free shipping on every order.
Wholesale only. We sell to licensed pharmacies and healthcare providers; we do not sell to the public.
What a secondary wholesaler should give you
Your primary wholesaler is your supply backbone. A secondary has to earn every order on price, transparency and trust. Here is what that looks like at Empire Rx.
Pharmacist-owned
Two pharmacists built Empire Rx to be the secondary supplier they wished they had as customers. The people setting prices and answering the phone have run a pharmacy.
NABP Drug Distributor Accredited
Independently audited licensure, facility, policies and record-keeping — the accreditation formerly known as VAWD. Our certificate is on the site and verifiable in NABP's public database.
Dating shown before you buy
Every listing shows the lot's expiration date before it goes in the cart. Short-dated product is labeled and discounted; expired product is physically blocked from sale.
DSCSA transaction data with every shipment
T3 data accompanies every order, and every product comes from manufacturers or authorized distributors of record — never pharmacy buy-backs or grey-market sources.
Free shipping, no contracts
Free shipping on every order, no volume commitment, no minimum in New York. Order when we beat your primary; don't when we don't.
Your history and invoices in one portal
Purchase history, invoices, statements and reorder lists live in your account — exportable for your own cost-of-goods review.
How independent pharmacies use Empire Rx
- 1
Pull your top 50 generics by spend
Your pharmacy system's purchase report does this in a minute. These are the items where a few dollars per bottle compounds across hundreds of fills.
- 2
Compare them against our live pricing
Sign in, search by name or NDC, and see price, stock and dating side by side with your primary's invoice.
- 3
Move only the clear wins
Shift the items where we beat your primary by a margin worth the extra tote. Leave the rest alone — and stay inside your generic compliance number.
- 4
Re-check monthly
Generic pricing moves. A monthly 20-minute review keeps the savings compounding without chasing pennies on slow movers.
Not sure what your generic compliance number is? Read how to calculate your secondary budget and how smart pharmacies use both wholesalers.
What we stock
High-velocity generics first — the cardiovascular, diabetes, mental-health and antibiotic staples every pharmacy fills daily — plus brand Rx, OTC medications and diabetic testing supplies. We do not distribute controlled substances. Our public product directory lists everything we carry by name, strength, pack size, manufacturer and NDC; pricing, stock and dating appear once you sign in with a verified pharmacy account.
Licensed in 37 states and territories
ERXD LLC holds an active wholesale drug distributor license or registration in each state we ship to. Pick your state for transit times, minimums and licensing details.
Frequently asked questions
What is a secondary pharmaceutical wholesaler?
A secondary wholesaler is a licensed drug distributor an independent pharmacy buys from alongside its primary (prime vendor) wholesaler — typically to get a better price on specific generics, to fill shortages, or to buy short-dated product at a discount. A legitimate secondary holds the same state wholesale licenses and ships the same DSCSA transaction data as a primary.
Does buying from a secondary wholesaler violate my prime vendor agreement?
Most prime vendor agreements require a percentage of generic purchasing (a generic compliance ratio), not all of it. Purchases within the gap between that requirement and 100% are normally permitted. Read your own agreement or ask your rep for your compliance number before you shift volume.
Is Empire Rx a licensed wholesaler?
Yes. ERXD LLC (dba Empire Rx Distributors) is licensed as a wholesale drug distributor in New York and in 37 states and territories, and is NABP Drug Distributor Accredited. We verify every customer's pharmacy license and DEA registration before the first order, and we do not sell to the public.
What does Empire Rx stock?
Generic and brand prescription products, OTC medications and diabetic supplies for retail, independent and long-term-care pharmacies. Our public product directory lists what we carry by name, strength, pack size, manufacturer and NDC; pricing, stock and expiration dating are shown to verified pharmacy accounts after sign-in.
What are the minimums and shipping costs?
Shipping is free on every order. New York pharmacies have no order minimum; other states have modest minimums listed on each state page. Orders placed by 4pm ET ship from our Staten Island, NY warehouse the same business day.
Do you ship controlled substances?
No. Empire Rx does not distribute controlled substances. Our catalog is non-controlled Rx, OTC and supplies only.
How do I open an account?
Complete the online credit application — pharmacy license, DEA registration, a photo ID for the owner, and a personal guaranty are required — and most pharmacies are approved and ordering within one business day.
Guides for pharmacy buyers
Add a secondary supplier that earns every order.
Five-minute application. Most pharmacies are approved and ordering the same or next business day.