The role of the pharmacist is changing. Some can now prescribe as well as dispense medicines and there is now more emphasis on patient consultation through Medicine Use Reviews in pharmacies. Pharmacists have told us that they are interested in hearing how we can play a more valuable role in our dealings with them. They are interested in hearing about the broader services we can offer to support them in meeting the requirements of the new pharmacy contract. The new pharmacy contract represents a big change and we are keen to support
pharmacists to further improve the standard of patient care through the implementation of a range of tailored services.
The supply of medicines to pharmacyPfizer has led the market in changing its supply and distribution methods, to allow us to take full responsibility for our medicines from the point at which they leave our manufacturing centres until they are sold to our customers who dispense them.
As the major supplier of medicines to the NHS, we are very aware of, and increasingly concerned about, the complexity of the supply chain and the implications for our medicines.
So Pfizer delivers directly to pharmacists, via one delivery partner.
This arrangement ensures that:
• We’re able to manage supply and be more responsive to stock-shortage situations so that pharmacists, dispensing doctors and patients are better able to obtain Pfizer medicines
• We’ve reduced the risk of counterfeit medicines by securing the distribution of the supply chain so that pharmacists, dispensing doctors and patients can be confident they will receive genuine Pfizer medicines from Pfizer
• We’ve improved visibility over the supply chain, and are better able to trace and recall Pfizer medicines with complete confidence if and when required.
Click here for a Pfizer web site for pharmacy professionals that outlines how this system works.