Lloydspharmacy parent company Celesio UK has vowed to continue to collaborate with manufacturers as it announces another exclusive wholesaling deal.

From October, Celesio UK's wholesaler AAH Pharmaceuticals will become the exclusive distributor for manufacturer MSD from October 1, it announced on Monday (August 11). It is the fourth deal of its kind Celesio UK has made since October last year.

The arrangement would provide "new opportunities" for pharmacies and was part of Celesio UK's ongoing plan to partner with other organisations, said managing director Cormac Tobin. 

"As the market develops and needs change, Celesio UK will continue to work in collaboration with manufacturers and dispensing companies to provide innovative supply chain solutions which meet their needs and complement Celesio UK's support for hospitals, pharmacists, doctors and patients," said Mr Tobin

The deal with MSD, which produces the contraceptive Cerazette, diabetes treatment Januvia and antihistamine Neoclarityn, follows Celesio UK's exclusive deals with manufacturers Archimedes Pharma, Ipsen and Ferring Pharmaceuticals.

In February, Mr Tobin told C+D that these deals were one of the ways pharmaceutical companies were "adapting" to the market.

In March, PSNC warned that AAH's deal with Archimedes, which followed similar distribution arrangements by other manufacturers, would "further reduce competition in the wholesaler market". 

	Do exclusive distribution deals open new doors for pharmacists?