26 February 2008
New report highlights emergence of direct-to-pharmacy medicines supply in Europe
URCH Publishing Launches Market Study on Pharmaceutical Distribution in Europe
Today, URCH Publishing Ltd launches a major market study covering the distribution of medicines in Europe. Pharmaceutical Distribution in Europe: The Emergence of Direct-to-Pharmacy Supply provides in-depth information and analysis on the structure of the European medicines' supply chain.
The 102 page market report discusses how the traditional model of pharmaceutical supply chain is under threat as, major pharmaceutical manufacturers in the UK attempt to change the way they distribute their products.
"The adoption of a Direct-to-pharmacy (DTP) model by some of the industry's most powerful players in the UK signifies a new trend that could spread across Europe," said Dr Faiz Kermani, the report's author. "After initial doubts, it is clear that the European supply chain is destined for change. So far, pharmaceutical manufacturers have managed to drive the changes to suit their interests, with opposition to their moves having had little effect," added Dr Kermani. In light of this, forecasts the report, the near-term prospects for pharmacists appear bleak whilst a new breed of super-distributors linked up with select wholesalers may emerge.
Highlights of the report include:
- Unbiased synopsis of the UK's Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) report into the medicines' supply chain
- Overview of the European pharmaceutical supply chain and the stakeholders involved in medicines distribution
- Insight into the aggressive Pan-European expansion strategies of some wholesalers
- Summary of regulations governing pharmaceutical wholesaling and pharmacy
The report is logically divided into four chapters:
- The Nature of the European Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
- Challenges for medicine wholesalers in Europe
- Manufacturers start to control the distribution of pharmaceuticals
- Pharmacy and the Future of Medicines Distribution
Pharmaceutical Distribution in Europe: The Emergence of Direct-to-Pharmacy Supply is available from URCH Publishing.
