Warm reaction to GSK's new agency deal
GlaxoSmithKline's new trading programme for community
pharmacists, +Plus, has met with measured approval from pharmacy organisations.
John D'Arcy, chief executive of the National Pharmaceutical
Association, says that the scheme appears to show that GSK has listened
to and taken into consideration the views of over 7,000 pharmacists.
"We welcome GSK's support for community pharmacy
and for medicines management. The new scheme does seem to be an improvement
on the old one. We are pleased that the company will continue to work
with wholesalers as this will avoid any upset of the market," Mr D'Arcy
said.
Sandy Young, chairman of Phoenix Medical Supplies,
who was closely involved with negotiations with GSK, also welcomed GSK's
support for medicines management and said that, overall, the scheme appeared
better than the previous one. However, he believed that some parts of
it might be difficult to adminster centrally. He would be surprised if
any other companies went down the same route.
How +Plus will work
The scheme takes effect from 1 January 2002.
A discount structure is aimed at reducing intracompany
trading. Discount ranges are £500–£1,499 per month (7 per cent),
£1,500–£2,999 (9 per cent), £3,000– £14,000 (11 per cent) and over
£14,000 (5 per cent).
Products are ordered from distributors at NHS
list prices. Discounts are sent from GSK to pharmacies before payment
is required.
A new call centre will handle enquiries about
products and faulty goods (0800 085 6058).
Out-of-date stock can be replaced with either
the same product or other GSK products.
GSK is to increase its support for medicines management
services.
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