New AstraZeneca distribution model to roll out from February 2019.
AstraZeneca has just announced a change to its distribution arrangements, saying the new model “won’t cherry-pick and there will be no exclusive distribution”.
Effective immediately pharmacists will be able to order all AstraZeneca medicines via DHL, and from 01 February 2019 pharmacists will also be able to order the full AstraZeneca range either through DHL or their preferred wholesaler.
The company said it had listened to feedback from the industry, with Country President Liz Chatwin saying the new model “will be competitive and will ensure pharmacists have contingencies for supply”.
“As our environment is evolving, we need to change the way we make our medicines available,” Chatwin said. “Community pharmacy and wholesalers asked us for choice and access to all of our medicines. We are confident that our new model will provide this – it will be competitive and deliver for patients.”
Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, George Tambassis, welcomed the change, thanking AstraZeneca for addressing one of the Guild’s key concerns regarding exclusive direct arrangements. “Our members will now have choice…to ensure patients have access to these important medicines from multiple sources,” he said.
AstraZeneca is partnering with Arrow Pharmaceuticals during the transition to support pharmacists, and will also work with wholesalers to ensure they are able to access the full range, including the 14 AstraZeneca medicines which were previously only made available via DHL.
More information in tomorrow’s issue of Pharmacy Daily.