EDI for pharmaceutical & medical device distribution

DSCSA compliance shouldn't mean held shipments

Pharmaceutical and medical device distributors face a compliance bar most suppliers don't: package-level serialization, electronic Transaction Information, Transaction History, and Transaction Statement (T3) data, and wholesaler-specific EDI specs that can put a shipment on hold the moment something doesn't match.

BOLD VAN handles EDI compliance, DSCSA-ready ASN data, and exception resolution so your team isn't manually chasing missing serials or a shipment stuck at a distribution center.

  • Fixed per-trading-partner pricing — recall and peak volume never spike your EDI bill.
  • We handle onboarding, mapping, and compliance testing with each wholesaler.
  • US-based EDI experts who understand DSCSA and cold chain documentation.
Trusted by brands selling to
McKessonCardinal HealthCencoraHenry ScheinOwens & Minor
Pharmaceutical distribution warehouse
25+
years of EDI expertise, serving brands and suppliers across every major retail channel
2–3wks
avg. time from kickoff to first compliant shipment with a new wholesaler
40–60%
VAN cost reduction vs. per-message pricing for mid-market distributors
Why pharmaceutical and medical device distributors choose BOLD VAN

EDI built for DSCSA traceability, not just transactions

DSCSA-ready ASNs with full T3 data

Electronic Transaction Information, Transaction History, and Transaction Statement data mapped alongside your 856 — not bolted on after the fact.

One partner for every wholesaler's spec

McKesson, Cardinal Health, Cencora, and specialty distributors each run their own EDI and EPCIS requirements. We manage all of them under one agreement.

Exceptions resolved before shipments get held

Mismatched transaction data, missing serials, or verification downtime handled proactively, so product doesn't sit rejected at a dock.

Fast onboarding for new distribution accounts

New wholesaler and distributor connections tested and compliant in 2–3 weeks, so a new account doesn't sit waiting to go live.

Three ways to work with us

Choose the right EDI setup for your business

Whether you have an internal EDI team or need everything handled end-to-end, we have a setup that fits.

Transmission only — VAN connectivity for pharmaceutical and medical device distributors
Most affordable

We manage AS2/SFTP connectivity and VAN routing to your wholesaler trading partners. You handle internal file management while paying a flat per-partner rate instead of per-message fees.

Best for: distributors with internal EDI mapping who need reliable, cost-effective data exchange with multiple wholesalers.

Transmission + transformation — full EDI integration
Most popular

We map EDI documents and DSCSA T3 data into and out of your ERP, WMS, or 3PL — and maintain those maps as McKesson, Cardinal Health, or any other wholesaler changes their specs. No internal mapping software required.

Best for: distributors that want DSCSA and wholesaler EDI fully off their plate, including ongoing maintenance as compliance requirements evolve.

Web EDI portal
No IT required

View POs, acknowledge orders, build shipments, and generate ASNs and invoices — all from one browser-based interface, with no EDI software to install.

Best for: smaller distributors that need to meet wholesaler requirements quickly without a dedicated EDI system.

Get a free EDI and DSCSA readiness review

A 15-minute call where we look at your current provider costs, chargeback history, and DSCSA T3 readiness — then show you what a move to BOLD VAN would look like. No obligation.

Get your free review →
Why brands switch to BOLD VAN

Your VAN shouldn't be the reason a shipment gets held

1

DSCSA changes get caught before a shipment gets held

Wholesalers update their EDI and EPCIS requirements as DSCSA enforcement evolves. We monitor those changes and update your maps proactively, not after a shipment is rejected.

2

Fixed pricing that doesn't spike during recall or peak volume

Per-message VAN pricing turns a recall or a demand spike into your biggest EDI bill. Our flat per-trading-partner rate means volume never changes what you pay.

3

New wholesaler connections go live in 2–3 weeks

We handle setup, connectivity, mapping, and compliance testing directly with each wholesaler's EDI team. Your ops team doesn't manage onboarding.

4

One agreement for your entire distribution network

McKesson, Cardinal Health, Cencora, and specialty distributors each have their own compliance ecosystem. We manage all of them under a single BOLD VAN agreement at one predictable monthly cost.

5

US-based support that understands DSCSA complexity

No offshore ticket queues. Our EDI team understands T3 data, exception handling, and cold chain documentation, and can resolve issues before they affect your scorecard.

EDI for pharmaceutical and medical device distribution — end-to-end

Everything DSCSA and wholesaler compliance require. Handled.

From purchase orders and ASNs to DSCSA T3 data — we support every EDI transaction type your wholesaler and distribution partners require, with serialization and lot data carried correctly in every ASN.

EDI documents supported
850Purchase Order
855PO Acknowledgment
856Advance Ship Notice
810Invoice
860PO Change
846Inventory Advice
832Price/Sales Catalog
852Product Activity Data
997Functional Acknowledgment
Connectivity options
AS2SFTP / FTPHTTPSAPIDirect ERP integrationWMS / 3PLFlat files

We connect using any communications protocol, including direct API access — there is never an extra charge for connectivity to any trading partner, regardless of how many accounts you manage.

How we compare

Legacy VAN vs. BOLD VAN for pharmaceutical and medical device EDI

Capability
Legacy VAN / in-house EDI
BOLD VAN
Pricing model
Per-message / kilocharacter + hidden fees
Fixed per-trading-partner pricing
Recall/peak volume cost
Spikes with order and recall volume
Same flat rate year-round
DSCSA T3 data handling
Manual — mismatches surface as held shipments
Validated alongside every ASN
New wholesaler onboarding
6–8+ weeks per partner
Typical 2–3 weeks per partner
Support
Ticket queues, offshore, slow response
US-based, DSCSA-experienced EDI team
Onboarding timeline

From kickoff to compliant shipment in 2–3 weeks

Most distributors go live with a new wholesaler in 14–21 days from the first call. Here's exactly how it works.

Schedule a Demo
1
Week 1

Discovery & scoping

We review your current setup, wholesaler requirements, ERP/WMS environment, and map out the right integration approach for your business.

2
Weeks 1–2

Connectivity & mapping

We build and validate AS2/SFTP connections, configure EDI and EPCIS maps per each wholesaler's document specs, and set up proactive ASN monitoring.

3
Weeks 2–3

Compliance testing

We run compliance testing directly with each wholesaler's EDI team, resolve any document or serialization issues, and confirm all requirements are met before go-live.

Go-live

First compliant shipment

Your first fully compliant PO, ASN, and invoice flows without errors. We stay on to monitor your transactions and update maps as wholesaler specs change.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions from pharmaceutical and medical device distributors

What EDI documents do pharmaceutical wholesalers require?
Most programs require the 850 Purchase Order, 855 PO Acknowledgment, 856 ASN, 810 Invoice, and 997 Functional Acknowledgment, plus 846 Inventory Advice and 852 Product Activity Data for demand planning. We handle all of them and maintain your maps when wholesalers change their specs.
How does BOLD VAN help with DSCSA Transaction Information, History, and Statement (T3) requirements?
We map T3 and EPCIS data alongside your standard EDI transactions so serialization and traceability data reach your wholesaler partners in the format they require, and we monitor for spec changes as DSCSA enforcement evolves.
What happens if a shipment fails DSCSA verification?
We help resolve transaction data mismatches, missing serials, and verification exceptions proactively, so product isn't held, rejected, or destroyed at a distribution center.
How does BOLD VAN pricing work during recalls and peak periods?
You pay a fixed monthly rate based on the number of active trading partners — not per message or kilocharacter. Whether your accounts send 500 POs or 5,000 during a peak or recall period, your cost stays the same. No surcharges, no volume overages.
Can BOLD VAN integrate with our ERP or WMS?
Yes. We integrate with NetSuite, SAP, Dynamics, Oracle, and most major ERP and WMS platforms. We also connect via flat files or API for custom or 3PL setups.
We're already working with another VAN. How does migration work?
We run a parallel pilot with one trading partner first so your current VAN stays live throughout the transition. Most migrations complete in 2–3 weeks with zero disruption to in-flight shipments.
Start your migration

Ready to simplify DSCSA and wholesaler EDI?

Moving your EDI to BOLD VAN is fast, straightforward, and fully supported from day one — with no disruption to your wholesaler partners.

Fast: new wholesaler connections go live in 2–3 weeks
Predictable: fixed pricing — no recall or peak-volume surprises
Supported: US-based team from paperwork to go-live

The EDI VAN trusted by top enterprises around the world for more than 25 years