The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7474 p437
20 October 2007

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Supply

UniChem out of stock

From Mr G. W. Dobson, MRPharmS

On Friday 21 September, UniChem in Livingston was yet again out of stock of Cardura XL 8mg. Fed up with this regular occurrence, I telephoned Pfizer Customer Care and asked for their help.

I was informed that that UniChem in Livingston would be receiving more stock on Monday 24 September and that I “may receive the stock on Monday if UniChem check-in the order in time”. I told Pfizer that “may” is not good enough in the case of medicines — patients need medicines, there is no “may”.

Pfizer then informed me that it had some emergency stock available, which I could obtain by sending a faxed order. A courier delivers the goods and Pfizer does not charge pharmacies for this service — nice — although competence in ensuring adequate stock levels in the first place would be infinitely preferable. It is worth noting that Pfizer refused to organise delivery for Saturday.

My order for 10 packets of Cardura XL 8mg arrived on Monday at around 5.15pm which is poor, but enabled my patients to receive their medicine in time.

Gavin Dobson
Kinross, Fife

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