NPA to hold event to determine future supply chain strategy

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is to hold an event in order to try and form a consensus on the medium and long-term future of the UK’s medicines supply chain.

A Medicines Supply Chain Visioning Event will take place on June 30th 2010 in Edinburgh and will feature expert analysis and discussions between NPA members, as well as possible input from manufacturers and wholesalers.

The meeting is being called in order to respond to major changes to the sector in recent years, as well as to discuss viable alternatives to the unpopular Direct to Pharmacy model.

Ian Facer, chairman of the NPA, said the meeting will help community pharmacies to have a say in the future shape of the supply chain.

He added: “Having a clear vision of how the supply chain should operate will put us in a stronger position to achieve the structure that works best for pharmacies and patients.”

Earlier this month, Mr Facer wrote a letter to all members of the House of Commons in order to remind them of the increasingly important role that pharmacies play in UK healthcare provision.