The Society: PSNC examines impact of generics proposals

The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7161 p217-221
18 August 2001

PSNC examines impact of generics proposals

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, in association with the National Pharmaceutical Association, has asked a firm of economics consultants to study the effects that the Department of Health’s proposals for changing the market for generic medicines might have on community pharmacies (PJ, 28 July).

In a statement issued on 14 August, Sue Sharpe, the PSNC’s chief executive, said: “This is a crucially important issue for community pharmacists. We need to make sure that proposals for change to the existing arrangements are thoroughly analysed for their effect.

“The generics supply chain is sensitive and complex. We need to satisfy ourselves that, if the system is to change, community pharmacists are able to continue supplying patients with the medication they need at the time they need it, and that they are incentivised to obtain the best possible price for the National Health Service and are reimbursed appropriately.”

The economics consultants will be making a report to the PSNC and the NPA in September. From this, further work will be commissioned and a detailed response will be submitted to the Department before the deadline of 22 October. The PSNC has had meetings with the NPA and the Company Chemists Association to discuss its response.

Mrs Sharpe added that the PSNC would be supporting the Department’s proposal to extend the current maximum prices scheme for generics for a further year, pending more substantial changes.

Primary care trusts The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee says that the Department of Health’s proposals for developing primary care trusts, outlined in the consultation document “Shifting the balance of power within the NHS — securing delivery”, could have major implications for local pharmaceutical committees and the way in which pharmaceutical services are contracted and funded [see article here]. The PSNC is preparing a response to this paper.