Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council Press Statement On AstraZeneca Distribution Proposal

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 30 Apr 2007 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council (SPGC) is disappointed at the recent announcement by AstraZeneca to distribute its medicines in the UK, from late summer 2007, through an agency scheme which will involve only two agency partners, AAH and Alliance Boots.

Martin Green SPGC Chairman said "SPGC is extremely disappointed at the timing of AstraZeneca's announcement following on so closely from the notice of intent by the Office of Fair Trading to conduct a market review of medicine distribution in the UK. We feel, it would have been better if AstraZeneca had waited until the OFT had completed their review before taking these steps. It's also unclear at this stage what the full implications of this proposal will mean for community pharmacists and their patients. There is also continuing concern around the lack of competition and choice, product supply, increased administration and the whole area of discounts".

Alex MacKinnon, Head of Corporate Affairs for SPGC said "Whilst SPGC recognises that AstraZeneca has not followed Pfizer and gone down the route of a single channel distribution model, we are concerned that this proposal by AstraZeneca could further undermine the capability of the supply chain to deliver for Scotland's patients. We believe this proposal could also lead to further unnecessary upheaval for community pharmacy contractors.

"We question how a proposal which excludes the UK's other main full-line wholesaler, Phoenix, can be in the best interest of community pharmacists and their patients. We have concerns about how this will impact on the future of regional wholesalers. And, we are concerned where added value and quality of service will potentially sit within this new distribution dynamic".

SPGC will be seeking further meetings with AstraZeneca on this matter.

Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council

• Additional
• References
• Citations