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| Warner-Lambert is to offer space planning advice to small independent groups |
Warner-Lambert Consumer Healthcare Ltd, which from November 1 includes all
of Pfizer’s consumer health care business, is planning a new award which
will be open to third and fourth year students at schools of pharmacy to raise
awareness of the pharmacist’s role in the use of non-
prescription medicines.
Mr David O’Sullivan (marketing director, Warner-Lambert) told The Journal
on October 30 that the details of the judging and prizes were still to be worked
out with each school of pharmacy, but the awards would aim to stimulate discussion
and projects in four areas: improving communication with patients; increasing
pharmacy involvement in primary care developments; demonstrating the economic
benefits of self-medication; and encouraging pharmacy intervention in specific
disease areas. Further details were expected to be announced by the end of the
year.
The company is a significant producer of non-prescription medicines. The combined
Warner-Lambert and Pfizer range of non-prescription medicines now includes 92
separate lines under 22 brands, including market-leaders such as Anusol, Benylin
and Calpol. Mr O’Sullivan said that the company was increasing its advertising
spend for the winter period and was planning to launch a further two pharmacy-only
brands in the first quarter of 2001.
Mr Rob Yateman (sales director, Warner-Lambert) said that the customer services
teams for the company would be brought together at Warner-Lambert’s offices
at Eastleigh, Hampshire. Customers who ordered stock directly from either of
the two companies before would now only have to complete one order.
The company’s customer development managers would be able offer independent
pharmacy customers individualised category management plans using Pro Space
Plus, a new space management system. Mr Yateman said that this service would
be targeted at the smaller independent groups.
Warner-Lambert plans to establish a pharmacy advisory panel to give it feedback
on its product development and marketing initiatives. Mr Yateman said that the
company envisaged having around 10 pharmacists on the panel, meeting four times
a year. It was seeking pharmacists who would give honest opinions.