UK supermarket cancer drug discount
May 24, 2010
BRITISH supermarket chain Asda
has launched an unusual
pharmaceutical marketing blitz,
promising to sell expensive cancer
drugs at “not for profit” prices.
The store said it would stock
medicines that are not always
available on the UK’s National
Health Service because they are
deemed to be too expensive - and
sell them at or close to cost price.
For example, lung cancer drug
Iressa (gefitinib) will be available at
ASDA for £2167 for a 30-tablet
pack - compared to more than
£3251 at Boots and other major
pharmacy chains.
Asda issued a call to other
pharmacy outlets to reduce their
mark-ups and lower the price of all
cancer drugs.
“The crippling cost of paying
privately for cancer treatment has
forced many people to spend their
savings or even remortgage their
house to pay for these drugs,” said
Asda pharmacist, John Evans.
“We are the first retailer to
recognise this injustice and to do
something about it, and we are
calling on other retailers to follow
our lead,” he said.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 24 May 10To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 24 May 10
