Nucare members asked to join Numark from October
Numark is keen for Nucare members to become Numark pharmacists |
Plans to integrate Numark and Nucare services under the Numark name were revealed at a press briefing in London last week. Members of Nucare will be asked to sign up to Numark from 1 October 2008.
Discussions about the future of Nucare have taken place since the acquisition
of the group by Phoenix — owner of Numark — in December 2007,
John D’Arcy, interim managing director at Numark, told the
press. He explained that both organisations had similar business objectives
but that there were differences in approach.
Nonetheless, he said: “All
members of Numark and Nucare are independent community pharmacists struggling
in the increasingly competitive world. Now more than ever before they
need behind them a powerful organisation to support them in their commercial
and professional offerings.”
Merging of the organisations under Numark will take place over the coming
months during which time members of each organisation will be consulted
on their views.
“As of now, Nucare members are automatically members of Numark,
with the idea being that from October 2008 we will be seeking to persuade
members
to take membership of the new organisation,” Mr D’Arcy confirmed.
In the meantime, existing Nucare members whose subscriptions are due
to expire before October will continue to receive the integrated services.
Mr D’Arcy acknowledged that many Nucare members were loyal to a
different wholesaler than Phoenix. Under the new arrangement, Numark
members, new and old, will be allowed to deal with any of the three principal
wholesalers. “However,” he said, “a Phoenix account
will be needed as a means of accessing some of the Numark-specific services,
particularly own-label products.”
Mahesh Shah, of Nucare, said: “What we want to do is combine the
best of Nucare and Numark to offer an improved service. The pharmacy
landscape is changing. Making money from purchasing is a law of diminishing
returns — I think people recognise that.
“We distinguish ourselves
from buying groups: we are a marketing and support organisation which
offers not just terms but a lot more beyond that — professional
services for instance — and that’s the direction of travel
for the profession.”
The Milton Keynes office of Nucare is to close, with potential risk of
employees being made redundant, Mr Shah said. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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