Parallel trade is depriving UK patients of medicines, says ABPI
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has warned that parallel exporters are depriving UK patients of medicines.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has warned that parallel exporters are depriving UK patients of medicines.
Although the association says medicines are generally delivered on time, and as expected, many have to be delivered under emergency arrangements put in place by manufacturers.
While there were 6,134 emergency deliveries on a range of products from three major UK-based drugmakers between January and May in 2008, this rocketed to 77,020 in 2009.
Figures released by the British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (BAPW) have also indicated difficulties in obtaining supplies of certain medicines.
Independent analysis of a list of 24 drugs by IMS shows that there is actually more than enough supply to satisfy demand in the UK.
According to the figures, Novartis is providing 65% more Myfortic (mycophenolic acid) and Roche 24% more Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) than is believed to be required for UK use, but both are highlighted as being in short supply.
The ABPI says this paradox has nothing to do with the method of supply, as shortages are affecting both wholesalers and those who sell direct to pharmacies.
"The root cause is that medicines are cheaper in the UK than elsewhere in Europe, a situation that is currently being made even worse by the weak pound," says the ABPI.
This pricing discrepancy and the exchange rate have created a financial incentive for wholesalers, pharmacies or dispensing doctors to order extra medicines and sell them overseas at a profit.
Research by IMS has revealed that 11% of the UK's 12,600 pharmacies and a small number of dispensing doctors are effectively diverting from the UK medicines that are meant for British patients in a trade worth £30m a month.
"The reality is that medicines produced for patients in the UK are being removed from the UK supply chain, and this is now having an impact upon the ability of pharmacists to provide patients with the medicines they need," says the ABPI.
