The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7424 p507
28 October 2006

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OFT considers Pfizer deal

Pfizer's exclusive distribution deal with UniChem may be investigated by the Office of Fair Trading. A spokesman for the OFT told The Journal that the office has received a number of complaints about the manufacturer’s decision to distribute its prescription products directly to customers through UniChem from March next year. He said: “We are considering whether Pfizer’s action raises competition concerns and if this is something which the OFT should investigate further.”

On top of its call to pharmacists to “save pharmacy” with an online campaign (www.savepharmacy.co.uk), AAH Pharmaceuticals has this week confirmed that it will be submitting a complaint to the OFT within the next fortnight.

The British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers has taken advice and is considering a legal challenge to the deal.

Martin Sawer, executive director, BAPW, commented: “Our concern regarding the new Pfizer distribution arrangements is over the implications for the NHS and its patients. The overriding issue must be one of public interest — the taxpayer and NHS patients will be paying for these new arrangements, in financial and service terms. We therefore believe the proposed arrangements warrant public scrutiny.”

Health minister Andy Burnham said in a Parliamentary written answer that the new arrangements would be monitored.