Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License (WDL) Application Guide

Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License (WDL) Application Guide

From venue preparation to formal licensing, One-stop drug compliance solution

Hong Kong Wholesale Drug License (WDL) is issued byPharmacy and Poisons (Wholesale Licensing) Committee of the Hong Kong Pharmacy and Poisons BoardApproval in accordance with the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) and regulations, The Drug Office of the Department of Health is responsible for application and inspection matters. Handling antibiotics or dangerous drugs may also require an antibiotics license or a wholesaler supplying dangerous drugs license respectively.

Hong Kong Huitong can help organize the entities, responsible persons, premises, store, Business scope and SOP information; Product registration, pharmacist, Additional license, examine, Processing time and results must be confirmed by product and case.

Release time: Application preparation reference
Hong Kong Huitong service teamApply for support
Document preparation and project coordination
work focus: business needs, Document consistency and matters to be confirmed
Service direction: Business description, Sorting out application materials and ongoing compliance matters
Service Description: Organize disclosure regulatory requirements based on proposed business operations, Material list and project nodes. Involving legal opinions, During audit or professional assurance, The corresponding professionals and service scope should be confirmed separately.; Competent agencies and banks make independent review decisions.
Familiar with the regulatory application process
Professional compliance team
Standardized compliance process
Multi-jurisdictional services

1. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License (medicine brand)core legal access conditions

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Business premises restrictions

The business premises of the applicant company must be located in a commercial building or industrial building. Located underground(G/F), Within retail premises, Premises operating within a secretarial or accounting firm, Generally will not be considered. Sharing premises with another wholesaler requires submission of sufficient written explanation and approval by the committee.

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Core staffing

A responsible person must be appointed who has passed the “fit and proper” review and interview, Possess sufficient knowledge of pharmaceutical trade. If you intend to deal in psychotropic substances or Part I dangerous drugs, It is mandatory to hire a Hong Kong registered pharmacist to be solely responsible for related transactions.

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Warehousing Facility Compliance

Need to set enough, Lockable storage facilities with appropriate temperature and humidity; If only stored in other places, Reasons must be provided, Warehouse information and daily maintenance monitoring arrangements, Approved by committee on a case-by-case basis. Designated lockable containers are required for handling Part 1 dangerous drugs; Verification and monitoring of cold chain facilities in accordance with application checklist and code of practice.

Warehouse shelves and carton goods
Warehouse shelves and inventory goods.

2. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License (medicine brand)Details of statutory fees

License/Permit Category statutory fees(Hong Kong dollar) Remark
Drug wholesaler license (WDL) 625Yuan Pay after approval
Antibiotic license 450Yuan Pay when submitting application, No refund
Wholesale dealer license to supply dangerous drugs 860Yuan Pay after approval

3. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License (medicine brand)application process

Preparatory stage

Obtain valid business registration and select commercial or industrial premises; Prepare the person in charge, business scope, storage facilities, Temperature and humidity management and traceability SOP. Registered pharmacists are only appointed in applicable situations such as handling psychotropic drugs or Part I dangerous drugs..

Submit application

Through the Department of Health Drug Office electronic system(PRS 2.0)Or submit the complete application form in person, document, Plans and SOPs.

Site inspection

Pharmacist inspector of the Department of Health inspects the warehouse on site, Check hardware facilities, Temperature and humidity monitoring, quarantine area, and conduct interviews with the person in charge.

committee review

Pharmacy and Poisons (Wholesale Licensing) Board based on inspection, Interview with person in charge, Relevant drug conviction or disciplinary records and other licensing criteria determine WDL application; Applications related to antibiotics and dangerous drugs are processed by the Director of Health.

Pay and license

After being approved for WDL or wholesale supply of dangerous drugs license, pay HK$625 or HK$860 according to the notice; The antibiotic license application fee of HK$450 is payable upon submission and is non-refundable. Licenses and permits can come with conditions.

Hong Kong Victoria Harbor and urban architecture
Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor and commercial buildings on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

4. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License (medicine brand)List of application materials

Statutory application form: Form A (Application for Wholesaler License)

Company registration certificate(CI)and business registration certificate(BR)

Latest Annual Return(NAR1)or incorporation form(NNC1)

Identity documents of all directors/partners and declaration of no criminal record

Declaration of qualifications and proof of work experience of the proposed person in charge

(If applicable) Registration certificate and employment contract of registered pharmacist

Warehouse lease agreement or proof of ownership, and high-precision floor plan signed and stamped

Temperature and humidity measuring instrument calibration certificate, Cold chain verification report (if applicable)

Covers receipt and delivery, temperature control, Full set of standard operating procedures for recalls and other procedures(SOP)

5. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License (medicine brand)Compliance red lines and risk reminders

⚠️ WDL authorizes the wholesale business of poisons and/or pharmaceutical products. Specific objects that can be supplied, retail restrictions, prescription, Poison classification and additional licenses subject to confirmation by product and transaction; WDL itself is not a substitute for retail qualifications such as authorized sellers of poisons..

⚠️Repackaging, Labeling, Whether assembly or other processing constitutes manufacturing, According to product, Process and Chapter 138 Definition Confirmation; If it constitutes manufacturing, Manufacturer's license must be separately assessed, GMP and product registration changes, It cannot be predicted.

⚠️ Official guide accepts commercial premises or industrial buildings; underground, Retail premises are generally not considered, Premises within secretarial or accounting services companies will not be considered. Shared or off-site storage requires a written explanation, and reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Committee.

⚠️ Each transaction of Part 1 poisons or pharmaceutical products must generally be recorded in a specified format within 72 hours, Relevant account books and documents are usually kept for two years; Advanced therapeutic products and other systems may have longer or different terms, Should be implemented category by category in accordance with the Code of Practice.

⚠️ If dealing with psychotropic drugs or first dangerous drugs, Registered pharmacists are required to handle all relevant transactions. Is it required to work full-time?, Can the site and personnel serve concurrently?, Should be based on business hours, License conditions, Responsible person arrangement and committee request confirmation.

6. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License|Typical Application Preparation Scenario

Typical application preparation scenarios

Drug storage and temperature control data preparation scenario

Applicants should prepare for pharmacist appointment based on product category, Warehousing and temperature control records, Operating procedures and Department of Health inspection information; If dangerous drugs or antibiotics are involved, Additional documents need to be prepared in accordance with applicable regulations.

This is a general data preparation scenario, Does not represent specific customers, Approval cycle or application results; The actual requirements are subject to review by the Drug Office of the Department of Health.

7. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License (medicine brand): Service support matters

Business and application information

Organize the categories of drugs to be operated, Supply chain and application subject information, Check wholesale business scope and required documents.

Storage and quality document preparation

Help organize storage conditions, transportation, Temperature records and quality management documents; Professional pharmaceutical judgment and statutory duties should be undertaken by qualified persons.

Application and ongoing compliance coordination

Coordinate document preparation, Replacements and record keeping matters; On-site inspection, Personnel recognition and licensing decisions are made independently by the competent authority.

8. Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Wholesaler License (medicine brand)Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

9. Relevant regulations, Regulatory information and further reading

Official materials Verification purpose
WDL/Antibiotics/Dangerous Drug License Application Guide (May 2025 Edition) legal entity, premises, responsible persons, examine, 625/450/860 HKD fee and conditional two-month commitment
Drug Office Current Forms and Checklists Check the current and future effective versions when applying
Code of Practice for WDL Licensees store, supply, records, Recalls and ongoing compliance
Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) Legal Basis and Product/Business Definitions