GSK discount announcement branded as unacceptable to pharmacies in Scotland
GlaxoSmithKline’s move to revise
its discount terms for community pharmacies (PJ, 19 February, p197) has been branded as unacceptable arrogance in Scotland.
Frank Owens, chairman of the Scottish
Pharmaceutical General Council,
said: “This initiative will only heighten anxieties around funding
at a time when we are actively seeking to instil confidence in the future.” He
added that the announcement would not be welcomed in Scotland.
“If GSK is genuinely committed to supporting community pharmacy,
then I would have thought that it would have sat down with community
pharmacy
representatives beforehand to find out what support we might want, rather
than simply present us with a fait accompli,” Mr Owens said.
“At best, it demonstrates insensitivity to the needs of community
pharmacy. At worst, it shows an unacceptable arrogance on the part of
GSK. Furthermore,
it reveals a complete ignorance of what we are seeking to deliver by
way of the new Scottish community pharmacy contract.”
Mr Owens added that he has contacted the Scottish Executive Health Department
to discuss how best to handle the matter.
Further criticism “The British
Generic Manufacturers Association is very
unhappy with GSK’s decision to narrow its discount terms,” Paul Dukes,
secretary of the association, said. He added that there was a risk that other
companies would similarly cross-subsidise their pricing. “The BGMA is
concerned that this unfair competition could undermine the considerable savings
that generics
provide to the NHS drugs
bill.”
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