Many sourcing delays begin with an ambiguous request rather than a lack of products. A few disciplined checks can make a healthcare product enquiry easier to review and reduce avoidable back-and-forth.
Mistake 1: identifying a product by ingredient alone
An ingredient name can appear across different forms, strengths and packs. Send the full catalogue name and URL. Preserve terms such as gastro-resistant, effervescent or oral suspension when they appear in the presentation name.
The ibuprofen tablets BP 600 mg entry is a specific record. A request for “ibuprofen” leaves the presentation unresolved and may produce a response that does not match your intention.
Mistake 2: sending a quantity without a unit
A number can refer to individual units, saleable packs, bottles or shipping cartons. State the basis of your request and mark it as provisional if the commercial pack has not been confirmed. Check that the supplier uses the same basis before comparing proposals.
Mistake 3: treating catalogue images as a complete specification
A pack image can help identify a presentation and some visible facts, but it may not expose the full composition, current specification or all packaging levels. Ask for the missing information. Do not fill gaps from another brand’s product or a visually similar pack.
Mistake 4: assuming a claim or market capability is confirmed
Ask for evidence when a decision depends on a registration, certification, operational role or marketing claim. Verify the scope for the exact product and intended activity. A broad international business statement does not establish approval to supply every presentation into every country.
Mistake 5: changing the shortlist without version control
Keep a dated working list and explain revisions to products, quantities or packaging requests. Use stable enquiry line references so responses stay attached to the right items. Retain open questions until the responsible reviewer closes them.
| Before sending | Check |
|---|---|
| Product identity | Exact name, form, strength and URL are present |
| Quantity | Each number has a defined commercial unit |
| Evidence | Missing facts are questions, not assumptions |
| Version | The recipient can identify the current shortlist |
Review the Dr. ICO Inquiry List against these checks before sending your request. For a broader process, read what to prepare before a distribution enquiry.
