Guild blasts direct supply arrangements

PHARMACY Guild president George Tambassis has urged pharmacists to contact AstraZeneca and Amgen to express concerns about their direct distribution moves (W Thu), with the Guild having “serious concerns” about the shifts in distribution.

“The Guild is working closely with the Federal Government on this extremely worrying chain of events,” he told Guild members in an update on Fri.

“I believe it is very important that the companies that have decided to make these decisions for their own commercial benefit hear about our concerns as pharmacy owners in a more unified and louder way.

“I want to be perfectly clear on this point: these companies are shifting to exclusive direct supply for their own commercial benefit.

“Any pharmacy programs they may choose to promote as part of the change are ancillary to that primary purpose,” Tambassis said.

The Guild is of the firm view that any PBS listed medicine must be available via full line CSO wholesalers, he added, with key issues including the cashflow impact of carrying larger stocks, delivery lag times, increased workloads dealing with multiple suppliers, and no certainty that CSO delivery standards will be adhered to.

“This matter is very important to the Guild, and we will advocate strongly to seek the sensible outcome that must be reached for the sake of our patients and national medicines policy,” he said.