Supply chain

Greater pharmacist involvement can improve medicines supply chain, report says

Pharmacists should be more involved in all stages of the medicines supply process to improve drugs’ availability and quality, the International Pharmaceutical Federation has said.…

More than 20 pharmacists facing fitness to practise investigations over POM black market

Some 23 pharmacists are facing fitness to practise investigations over the illegal diversion of prescription-only medicines from the NHS medicines supply chain on to the online black market.…

Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD): how it will work

The Falsified Medicines Directive will be rolled out in Europe from February 2019 to address the threat of fake medicines and will impact the entire supply chain…

Five pharmacists suspended as MHRA ups investigations into NHS drugs appearing on black market

Organised criminal gangs are diverting drugs from the NHS supply chain and selling them on the black market in an illegal racket estimated to be worth up to £200m…

European Medicines Agency surveys pharmaceutical companies on preparedness for Brexit

The EMA wants to identify issues that could disrupt medicines supply and impact on human and animal health when the UK exits the EU…

Health bodies warn of Brexit risk to drug supplies

The body representing much of the UK healthcare and medical establishment has warned that supplies of medicines to patients could be disrupted when the UK leaves the EU.…

More generic prescribing could save £18m, NHS Business Services Authority says

Nearly £18m could be saved from the NHS drugs budget if more medicines from a published list were prescribed generically, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) has said.…

Puerto Rico hurricane damage could lead to drug shortages

The damage wreaked by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in September 2017 could have serious repercussions for patients who rely on medicines and healthcare products manufactured there.…

PSNC in ‘urgent talks’ with government over medicine shortages

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has announced that it is in “urgent discussions” with the Department of Health about the problems and risks involved in pharmacies not being able to obtain vital medicines for patients.…

Online pharmacy advised to seek legal advice over use of drones

The General Pharmaceutical Council has urged an online pharmacy to seek legal advice over its plans to use drones to deliver medication to customers.…