From Mr R. J. Lee, MRPharmS
SIR,—I am incensed at the unbelievably chaotic shortages and extortionate prices of generics. In spite of excuses from generic manufacturers there appears to be little anticipation of the demand with the introduction of patient packs. I am unable to obtain essential generics such as metformin, warfarin, aspirin dispersible 75mg and thyroxine to name a few. I am having to send my patients to Moss Chemists (part of Unichem), Lloyds (part of AAH) and Boots, which do not appear to have a problem with generic stocks. The whole situation is aggravated by manufacturers preferring to supply in vast amounts to wholesalers and claiming to be out of stock to smaller direct accounts.
Wholesalers (and not just shortliners) are charging well above the Category D list prices of the manufacturers. For example, I was charged £10 for 1,000 aspirin 75mg dispersible manufactured by Cox whose Category D list price to the National Health Service is £4.75. One year ago they were costing only £1.09. Someone somewhere is ripping off the NHS and making fortunes. Pharmacists are unwittingly assisting them by having to pay these ridiculous prices in order to maintain a continuity of supply to patients.
I have spoken to Mr Gordon Geddes at the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. He says he is in discussion with the Department of Health and assures me that if we endorse the price and the supplier we will be reimbursed in full. But this is not good enough.
As a pharmacist and a taxpayer I feel this scandal needs to be exposed in full by our professional bodies before we become accused of being willing accomplices.
Rodney Lee
Leeds