PSNC says run down stock of branded medicines
Community pharmacists have been advised to run down stocks of branded medicines in case price cuts are imposed in the near future.
The warning has been issued by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating
Committee because the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme, which constrains
drug prices within parameters agreed between the Government and the Association
of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, expires on 30 September.
When the current PPRS was agreed in 1999, prices were cut by 4.5 per
cent and community pharmacists in England and Wales suffered losses on
stock that they had bought before the cut was implemented (PJ, 2 October
1999, p513). Pharmacies in Scotland were given a month’s grace
before the price cuts were imposed.
A PSNC statement says: “Pharmacy contractors need to be aware that
an announcement is imminent and, subject to the overriding issue of service
to their patients, try to minimise their NHS stock of proprietaries immediately
prior to any price reduction.”
An ABPI spokesman said that negotiations with the Government were ongoing.
The existing scheme will roll forward until any new scheme is announced. |
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