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BAPW calls for review of supply chain
The British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (BAPW) is today calling on the Department of Health to review the supply of pharmaceutical products to pharmacies, hospitals and dispensing doctors in the NHS.
The supply chain, consisting of pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, doctors and hospitals has successfully supplied up to 2 billion individual medicines per year for the UK's NHS patients since the creation of the National Health Service.
The BAPW believes that the flexible, responsive round-the-clock ordering and delivery service, which UK patients and prescribers rely on, is under serious threat because of the plans of pharmaceutical companies to control the distribution and pricing of their own products. These pharmaceutical manufacturers are imposing new and, in every case, different systems on a tried, tested and agreed model of distribution, which has delivered value-for-money for the taxpayer.
Commenting today, BAPW's Executive Director, Martin Sawer said:
“We are seeing damaging piecemeal changes to a safe and efficient system, made only because of commercial pressures on individual manufacturing companies. Mixed models are emerging and the administrative burdens, new IT systems and new distribution systems required can only be a cost on the supply chain. BAPW believes the new proposals warrant a total review of the way that drugs get to the patient from pharmaceutical manufacturers. If regulators and government do not act soon, BAPW believes there could be a huge increased burden on pharmacy, a reduction of competition amongst wholesalers and an increase in cost to the NHS. The BAPW believes now is the time to consider the consequences of these fundamental alterations to ensure that the full clinical implication, burden and cost, are fully understood. These changes are imminent and could be irreversible, so we believe immediate action is required.”
BAPW is concerned about the impact on patients. The supply chain is the invisible backbone of the NHS. The rules that the UK has come to rely on for its supply of pharmaceuticals are quietly being eroded. The BAPW is calling on all partners in this unique supply chain to agree what is the best type of service to ensure that all pharmaceuticals will always get to the patients who need them, anywhere, at any time, historically a core requirement of the NHS. We believe the Department of Health, regulators, manufacturers, wholesalers, dispensers and prescribers should discuss the best model for achieving this.
Mr Sawer added:
“If this means more regulation, then so be it. Certainty in business is better than the uncertainty which is apparent in the supply chain today. This is a call for a review of the UK model of the supply of pharmaceutical products to patients in the NHS.”
For information contact
Martin Sawer, Executive Director,BAPW
020 7031 0590 and msawer@bapw.net
