Posted by Michael Wonder on 06 Dec 2017
Direct supply risks
6 December 2017 - The proliferation of exclusive direct supply arrangements has the potential to put at risk the core principle of timely and equitable access to medicines that underpins Australia’s world-class PBS system.
In recent months, AstraZeneca and Amgen have joined Pfizer and other manufacturers in deciding to bypass the CSO wholesalers in supplying their medicines to community pharmacies.
While these arrangements enable manufacturers to reduce their own supply costs for individual medicines, they can have serious flow-on implications for pharmacies and patients.
