Coverage across the whole of UK – from Land’s End to John O’Groats, from the Channel Islands to the Giants Causeway

Press Releases & News

« back

“Don’t Upset the Supply Chain Applecart………..”, says Martin Sawer

One issue that wasn’t widely reported in last week’s otherwise excellent coverage of the annual British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers’ conference (C & D 18 June), is the real current concern expressed by UK full-line wholesalers over pharmaceutical product supplies. We have also heard worries on this issue expressed by others, including the Department of Health and PASA.

According to BAPW members, many of whom have worked in the industry most of their working lives, the number of “Manufacturers Cannot Supply” listings this year is totally unprecedented. Wholesalers are becoming very frustrated at this problem, are often wrongly accused, and strive to remedy a situation that is not of their making. Full-line wholesalers are better-equipped than others to withstand and adapt to sudden imbalances between supply and demand, which can suddenly occur. Because of our close relationships with suppliers, pharmacies and prescribers, BAPW members have historically been able to work around interruptions to supplies to ensure that patients receive critical medicines.

But how much longer can this fragile state of affairs exist? We saw the concern over diamorphine shortages at the turn of the year, which sensitive product could be next?

There have been several jolts to the supply chain over the last six months of course, including the PPRS settlement, the generics agreement and unilateral manufacturers’ actions. Maybe, after so many supply chain adjustments (some self-inflicted), the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is now trying to cope with unforeseen product demand changes. How can it be that manufacturers are running short of product? Could it be that there is too much change.

With the pharmaceutical sector making manufacturing decisions based on global priorities, no wonder UK supplies can suffer. The Department of Health rightly will put patients first, second and third, and if there are too many supply flashpoints, should we be surprised if the customer begins to exert more control over the efficient, flexible and responsive supply chain we have worked with for many years? I don’t think any of the participants in the supply chain would welcome this.

Martin Sawer is Executive Director of the British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (BAPW). The BAPW represents full- line pharmaceutical distributors who between them provide 90% of the nation’s medicines, covering all of the UK’s population.