Pharmacy Daily | NPSA hails ACCC tick

THE National Pharmaceutical Services Association (NPSA) has welcomed an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) decision which allows wholesalers to continue to cooperate during the pandemic.

The Final Determination by the ACCC was issued yesterday, confirming a previous interim ruling in Mar and now allowing NPSA member wholesalers to continue to cooperate until 30 Sep 2021.

NPSA members include Symbion, Sigma, Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) and National Pharmacies, with the authorisation also covering other CSO distributors including Barrett Distributors and Clifford Hallam Healthcare.

The Commission said authorising the cooperation was likely to result in a range of public benefits, including facilitating and promoting a sustainable and strong supply chain, particularly in relation to life-saving medicines and pharmacy products in short supply.

It will also amplify the effectiveness of Government and other bodies' responses to COVID-19, and promote continued equitable access to products.

However in relation to concerns about detriments due to competitors sharing information and working together, the ACCC has imposed conditions requiring the NPSA to provide fortnightly reports, describing any meetings, discussions, developments and decisions in relation to the collaboration as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

The reports will be published on the ACCC's public register.

NPSA Chairman, Richard Vincent from API, said the determination was welcome, coming at a critical time as the health sector plans for the logistical roll-out of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.

"We are pleased to be able to continue working together and supporting government at this difficult time," Vincent said, noting that NPSA had formed a highly productive working group to help ensure community access to medicines.