PHARMACIES affiliated with Sigma Healthcare are being encouraged to take commercial action in response to AstraZeneca's (AZ) move to direct distribution of some of its products (PD 31 Oct 17), with Amcal and Guardian members informed of changes to discounts and generous incentives to convert sales from AZ molecules to their generic equivalents.
A letter was sent from Sigma to pharmacies just before Christmas, detailing issues around the AZ initiative which will "fragment distribution, complicate the supply chain for pharmacy, and undermine a system that delivers universal access to all medicines".
Sigma is targeting a "narrow but effective" range of twelve molecules, which will have discounts removed from the AZ products and added to the generic equivalent items.
"The generic providers have committed to generous incentives to assist," the company said, with additional benefits provided for increased conversion between January and March 2018.
"This united response will send a clear message to AZ and others considering the move," the letter, signed by Sigma Healthcare general manager of wholesale sales, Vin Gualtieri, advises.
AstraZeneca products targeted under the Sigma plan include Arimidex, Cosudex, Atacand, Nexium, Imdur, Toiprol, Seroquel, Crestor and Zomig.
Gualtieri also urged pharmacists to elevate the issue by contacting Health Minister Greg Hunt, registering concerns with the Guild and contacting their local MP.
"We can choose to take decisive action now to effect change, or we can accept the status quo and risk more PBS products being distributed exclusively by alternative suppliers, which will inevitably lead to a new norm of complicated minimum orders, delivery fees, less timely access, and further erosion of discounts," the letter concludes.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 02 Jan 18
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