Blog
Transportation – how long can you hold products before a WDA is required?
Since the application of the Falsified Medicines Directive in January, 2013 there is a new requirement that anyone involved in the export or holding of medicinal products intended for export, for wholesale distribution, now require a Wholesale Distribution...
An Insiders View to Pharmacy in the USA
Industry structure Pharmacies and drug stores in the states are engaged in the retailing business of four core product categories: prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, toiletries and cosmetics, with the most important two segments being prescriptions and...
A Snapshot of the Pharmacy Leaders in the USA
Walgreen As of 2013, Walgreens Co. is the largest pharmacy chain with 8,582 locations in the United States, providing multichannel access (drugstore, mail, internet and telephone) to pharmacy and consumer goods, as well as health and wellness services. The company’s...
The Transforming Generic Channel in the Pharmacy Industry
Although pipeline revitalization for generics is expected to continue in the near future due to the ongoing patent cliff, profitability of the pharmacy industry may still be adversely affected by the consolidation among generic manufacturers. (Refer to recent merger...
Patient Safety- NICE guidelines on Managing Drug Allergies
Startling statistics show that as many as 15% of patients have their hospital stays increased due to adverse drug reactions. Serious drug reactions are increasing and some could be avoided by checking with patients if they are allergic to any medication. At...
GPs and Pharmacists must collaborate to provide flu vaccine service
Lets “ Stand together against flu.” I quote from the Sanofi Pasteur advert . I was horrified to read that that GPs in Shropshire and Staffordshire have objected to NHS England local contract team inviting pharmacies to contract to deliver a Pharmacy-led flu...
Construction of a GDP Quality Manual
During the course of our work we often find that there is little understanding of what a quality manual is and what should be in it. Simply, the quality manual forms the basis for your quality system and is the 'what you do', whereas the SOPs are the 'how you do it'....
MHRA GDP Inspectorate – Compliance with revised Good Distribution Practice
On the 12th August, 2014, the MHRA GDP Inspectorate issued an e-mail to all Wholesale Distributors regarding their concerns that they are continuing to record a number of major deficiencies where the revised EU Guidelines on Good Distribution Practice have not been...
Solas agreements will reduce competition
Celescio have a new Solas agreement! They have pledged to work more closely with manufacturers and believe in a collaborative approach…
Pharmacy in the States by Eric, PHD student, USA
Industry structure Pharmacies and drug stores in the states are engaged in the retailing business of four core product categories: prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, toiletries and cosmetics, with the most important two segments being prescriptions and...
Standard Operating Procedures – are yours fit for purpose?
During the course of our work we see many SOPs and often come across procedures that are difficult to read and do not clearly describe the procedure. A long SOP does not necessarily make it a good one! When writing an SOP it is worth thinking about what its purpose is...
Can you afford to take the risk?
Over the past few years we have seen a move towards risk based quality systems with risk being emphasised much more in the new Guidelines for Good Distribution Practices. But what does this mean to you and how do you put it into practice? The thing with risk...