EXCLUSIVE

Wholesalers are planning to meet with the new pharmacy minister to increase his awareness of the supply chain, C+D has learned.

British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (BAPW) chief executive Martin Sawer said the organisation will “very shortly” invite Alistair Burt MP to visit a distribution centre as part its attempts to engage with the Conservative government.

During the visit, the BAPW will “flag up” forthcoming European anti-counterfeiting legislation, and stress the importance of not distributing medicines “in a short-term way”, Mr Sawer told C+D yesterday (September 3).

“Commissioning groups in certain areas might want to make deals...to get cheaper prices for medicines. We depend on the national system to work so that patients and the NHS get medicines at the same price wherever they are,” he said.

The BAPW is meeting with Mr Burt’s civil servants “quite soon”, and will also request a meeting with medicines minister George Freeman – who retained his position in May’s cabinet reshuffle – “when the time is right”, Mr Sawer said.

The government’s supply chain forum had met again since May’s election, Mr Sawer added. A C+D investigation in April revealed that the forum discussed buffer stocks, simplifying PMR codes and keeping pharmacists informed of shortages during its recent meetings, and Mr Sawer said the group was continuing to discuss these issues.

“It’s all about communication between partners in the supply chain and understanding where we’re all coming from,” he said.

What supply issues should Alistair Burt address in his first year in office?

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