Pfizer Direct major threat
June 23, 2011
PEAK wholesaler group the
National Pharmaceutical
Services Association (NPSA) has
warned of the likely collapse of
the current CSO system
guaranteeing delivery of drugs
across the country if other
manufacturers adopt a similar
model to the controversial
Pfizer Direct distribution to
pharmacy.
Yesterday Dr Ian Harper from
Deloitte Access Economics
released a report showing that
if GSK, AstraZeneca and Sanofi-
Aventis go down the same
route the cost of delivering the
remaining medicines covered
by the CSO would rise by 37%.
This snowballing effect
means that “the option of
abandoning the CSO will
become increasingly attractive
to traditional wholesalers as
they seek to maintain viability,
further compromising patient
access to the full range of PBS
medicines”.
Harper and the NPSA are
advocating that the government
should force Pfizer to also offer
its medicines to the three full
line CSO wholesalers - even if it
persists in its direct
distribution model.
Dr Harper said that the
government was effectively
“wasting taxpayer’s money” if it
doesn’t ensure that availability
through full line wholesalers is
mandated for PBS listed drugs.
At the launch yesterday of the
Economic Analysis of Exclusive
Distribution of PBS Medicines
report, Harper also detailed the
situation in the UK, France,
Germany and South Africa
where there had been
significant problems with the
availability of medicines
following the adoption of direct
distribution.
“Overseas experience
illustrates how exclusive
distribution can change the
dynamics of the pharmaceutical
distribution supply chain,
shifting the focus from
pharmacy to manufacturers,
and hence from a system
orientated toward patient need
to one driven by commercial
imperatives,” the report warns.
NPSA is urging “policy
intervention” to uphold the
objectives of Australia’s
National Medicines Policy.
A number of pharmacists
passionate about the impact of
the changes on their patients
spoke out at yesterday’s launch
- details in tomorrow’s PD.
MEANWHILE NPSA, which
includes Symbion and Sigma, is
set to shortly expand with the
addition of state-based
wholesalers CHS and National
Pharmacies, giving a stronger
voice to the group.
And although API isn’t a
member, President Patrick
Davies told PD that in the case
of Pfizer Direct NPSA is
representing the interests of
the full wholesaling sector.
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