Roche and Novo Nordisk to restrict distribution
pharmafile | January 27, 2009 | News story | Manufacturing and Production |Â Â supply chainÂ
Roche and Novo Nordisk are the latest companies to cut the number of wholesalers allowed to supply their medicines to UK pharmacies.
Both have opted to use only selected distributors to handle their drugs, in order to maintain a transparent and protected supply chain.
Roche is already working with AAH and UniChem, which have begun exclusively distributing the company's prescription-only products to pharmacies, dispensing doctors and hospitals around the country.
Novo Nordisk will follow suit in March, when it too entrusts the distribution of its products to just two wholesalers – UniChem and Phoenix.
Novo Nordisk UK's managing director Viggo Birch said patients were the company's principal focus.
"We are committed to ensuring that people using our products have access to the medicines they need at all times – which had become increasingly challenging in 2008 – and that their medicines are genuine and legitimate.
"We are determined that our improvements will not impact the NHS budget, and are excited that working more closely with our new partners will allow us to develop new initiatives to support diabetes management in community pharmacy settings," he added.
The change to the company's supply chain arrangements was welcomed by patient group Diabetes UK.
It's director of care, information and advocacy services Simon O'Neill said: "Diabetes UK supports any initiative which improves the quality and delivery of insulin to people with diabetes and minimises the risk of counterfeit medicine penetrating the supply chain."
The issue of counterfeit medicines, a perennial problem for pharma, has been high on the agenda since 2007, when three batches of fake medicines were discovered in the UK supply chain in quick succession.
Earlier this year awareness of counterfeits was given a boost when Pfizer launched a cinema advertising campaign to discourage people from buying fake medicines via the internet.
Related Stories:
Pfizer launches anti-counterfeiting cinema advert
Thursday, January 15, 2009
MHRA investigates links in spate of counterfeits
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
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