Pfizer/UniChem distribution agreement goes ahead despite opposition
Pfizer's exclusive distribution agreement with UniChem went ahead at the start of this week.
This was despite a last ditch attempt by eight of UniChem’s wholesaler
competitors to win a temporary High Court injunction against the scheme “pending
an effective hearing”. The eight wholesalers say that the exclusive
distribution arrangement restricts competition. They also question UniChem’s
ability to deliver to all community pharmacies.
Pfizer welcomed the failure to achieve an injunction, saying that it
was confident that its new distribution arrangements fully comply with
all applicable EU and UK laws.
UniChem reported that over 90 per cent of pharmacies had signed up to
receive Pfizer products from the company when the scheme started on 5
March 2007.
Marketing director Mark Stephenson said: “It is important to recognise
that there is still a significant amount of Pfizer stock currently available
in the market through other sources. … We are confident that demand
will rise in the coming days and weeks as stock from other sources runs
down and we are fully prepared to deal with an increase in volume.”
A Pfizer spokeswoman said that 92 per cent of pharmacies had signed up.
After the failed hearing, Steve Dunn, managing director of AAH Pharmaceuticals,
said: “Pharmacy has made clear its concerns about the possible
consequences for patients, pharmacies and the NHS from this arrangement.” He
added that a decision about what to do next would be made after the judge
gave the full reasoning for his decision this week.
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