THE Remote and Isolated Pharmacist Association Australia (RIPAA) has called for equitable distribution terms in the new Pharmaceutical Wholesaler Agreement currently being negotiated.
The RIPAA says the new deal must contain equitable terms for remote pharmacies to stop "outlaw wholesalers from diverting funds into commercial trading terms for their preferred customers".
The association said the federal govt must crack down on how taxpayer funds are being used to ensure greater transparency for the benefit of isolated communities.
"It is the worst-kept secret in the industry that wholesalers have for decades used CSO funds to underwrite selective preferential discounts to their pharmacy franchises which are overwhelmingly located in MM1-3," the association said.
The RIPAA said the proposed merger of Sigma by Chemist Warehouse is a clear example of how a major chain may use its bargaining power to obtain preferential distribution terms.
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