NPA Welcomes Timely Reminder On Supply Chain Obligations

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 13 Nov 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Following a series of constructive discussions, representatives of manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies and other stakeholders have released guidance on Medicines Shortages and Supply Chain Obligations.

The pharmaceutical supply chain has historically delivered drugs efficiently and with flexibility, ensuring that patients receive their medicines in a timely manner. In recent years, this situation has changed as a result of a variety of factors.

John Turk, NPA Chief Executive comments:

"Our members have made us very aware of the product shortages that pharmacies are facing currently. Medicines shortages are adversely affecting pharmacy workflow and sometimes making it difficult for pharmacists to deliver the responsive medicines supply service that patients have become accustomed to.

The NPA has worked with the DH, MHRA, the ABPI and other pharmacy bodies on this guidance and welcomes the timely reminder to manufacturers, wholesalers, NHS Trusts, registered pharmacies and dispensing doctors of their legal and ethical obligations in relation to the supply and trading of medicines.

The NPA is working collaboratively with the whole of the medicines supply chain to ensure the current problems are resolved, so that pharmacists are in the position to give patients the reliable service they expect."

And adds:

"Whilst giving urgent attention to the current matter of shortages, we shouldn't ignore the structural developments in the supply chain, such as Direct to Pharmacy schemes, which are storing up problems for the medium-long term. We won't let this distract the NPA, but we certainly can't ignore it"

Source
National Pharmacy Association

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