Some AstraZeneca products to become exclusively available direct to pharmacy from 01 November.
Sigma Healthcare has just released an ASX trading update, advising that its profit guidance for 2018 and 2019 is unchanged despite a move by AstraZeneca to commence direct distribution to pharmacy.
The AstraZeneca products identified as being part of the exclusive direct distribution move represent about 1% of Sigma’s total sales, the company said.
“Sigma is actively reviewing a number of options to offset the earnings impact of this change, including pharmacy trading terms,” the Sigma statement advises.
The company also said the National Pharmaceutical Services Association along with the Pharmacy Guild are in consultation with the government “to ensure a sustainable medicines supply chain which includes mandatory availability of PBS products via CSO wholesalers”.
More details in tomorrow’s issue of Pharmacy Daily.