GSK
Pharmaceutical company GSK has announced that it will move from its current direct-to-pharmacy model to using wholesalers to distribute its products.
From 1 November 2018, pharmacy wholesalers Phoenix UK, AAH and Alliance Healthcare will distribute GSK’s prescription medicines to community pharmacies, hospitals and dispensing doctors across the country.
“We are changing the way we distribute our pharmaceutical medicines and vaccines in the UK to help reduce complexity for our pharmacy, hospital and dispensing doctor customers,” said a spokesperson for GSK.
“The simplified distribution model means that customers will, from 1 November [2018], buy direct from specific wholesalers as well as being able to use GSK’s vaccine portfolio online ordering platform as normal.”
Jeremy Meader, managing director of pharmacy support business Numark, described the move as “historic” and “incredibly positive for community pharmacy”.
He added that GSK’s move will help pharmacies “deliver consistency in service and increase patient loyalty whilst helping them to more effectively and efficiently fulfil their role on the front line of healthcare”.
