The Future of Pharmaceutical Distribution in Europe - The impact of DTP on manufacturers and wholesalers

Author: Dr Faiz Kermani
Publication date: July 2010
Number of pages: 88

Pricing:

-  Print edition (single user): £1,945
- .PDF (single user): £1,895
- .PDF (companywide user): £9,985

Report Summary

Reducing the number of wholesalers helps to reduce internal costs for manufacturers, and by dealing only with a few wholesalers may create more manageable business relationships. The European pharmaceutical distribution system is set to change dramatically over the next few years. The adoption of direct-to-pharmacy (DTP) in the UK and its emergence in Poland sets a potential precedent for other European markets.

To date, pharmaceutical manufacturers have managed to drive the changes to suit their interests.  However, the establishment of new relationships with select wholesalers will lead to a new type of distributor, which will expand their portfolio of business interests across Europe. With the underlying structure of the supply chain about to change wholesalers are keen to remain competitive in the market.

The Future of Pharmaceutical Distribution in Europe - The impact of DTP on manufacturers and wholesalers is a market report that comprehensively reviews the business of medicines distribution in Europe. This 88 page report is an update of the 2008 report “Pharmaceutical Distribution in Europe”.

The report is logically divided into four chapters:
 
Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive history and overview of the key issues related to the pharmaceutical supply chain in Europe, including European law, EU institutions and the retail pharmacy industry.

Chapter 2 fully reviews the role of pharmaceutical wholesale companies with profiles of Alliance Boots, Celesio AG, Mediq and The Phoenix Group. Distribution in the major markets is examined and the role of technology in wholesaling is reviewed.

Chapter 3 discusses how pharmaceutical manufacturers organise the distribution of their products. The emergence in the UK of direct-to-pharmacy distribution is analysed, as is reaction to the Office of Fair Trading’s report. The impact of Pfizer’s DTP scheme is assessed and moves by the other big players like AstraZeneca and Novartis are discussed.

Chapter 4 looks at the pressures that the European supply chain sector is under. Particular attention is paid to the growing problem of counterfeit medicines and the moves by the authorities and manufacturers to control this illegal trade.

The report provides a comprehensive insight into the realities of distributing medicines in Europe. Questions answered include:

- What has been the impact of direct-to-pharmacy distribution in the UK?
- Will government austerity measures impact the pharmaceutical distribution sector?
- Are there significant legal obstacles to be overcome when moving to a DTP distribution model?
- Do pharmacists have a future beyond the administration of dispensing?
- Are counterfeit medicines the next big major issues that the industry has to deal with?
- Is parallel trade still such a threat to manufacturer’s profits?
- How wholesalers will have to change to remain competitive?

Key features of the report include:

- Over 10 case studies including these companies, Alliance Boots, AstraZeneca, Celesio, PharmacyChecker.com and Sanofi-Aventis.
- Unbiased synopsis of the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) report into the UK’s pharmaceutical 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.
- Overview moves by manufacturers and authorities to reduce the problem of counterfeit medicines and the challenge of creating a Europe-wide response.

The report will help readers:

- Understand the impact of IT on managing distribution in Europe.
- Analyse changing impulses in supply chain demand.
- Gain insights into the consolidation process amongst wholesalers.
- Evaluate the impact of the European Union on business strategy.

With 13 Tables and 27 Figures this report is essential reading for anyone working in the pharmaceuticals supply chain including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and pharmacists.

Organisations mentioned in this report include:

Alliance Boots, Alliance Healthcare, Amedis UE AG, Association of Pharmacies of Attica (APA), Associazione Distributori Farmaceutici, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Chambre Syndicale de la Répartition Pharmaceutique (CSRP), Der Bundesverband des pharmazeutischen Großhandels (PHAGRO), EFPIA,. Europa Apotheek, Europharm, Farmacol, Federación Nacional de Asociaciones de Mayoristas Distribuidores de Especialidades Farmacéuticas y Productos Parafarmacéuticas (FEDIFAR), Galexis, GlaxoSmithKline, Groupement International de la Répartition Pharmaceutique (GIRP), Independent Pharmacy Federation (IPF), International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council (IPEC), Laboratorio Flandria NV, Les Entreprises du Médicament (LEEM), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Mediq, Napp Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, OFT, Panpharma, Pfizer, Phoenix Group, Polska Grupa Farmaceutyczna, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Tamro, The British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (BAPW), Torfarm, Unione Farmaceutica, Voigt AG, World Health Organization (WHO).

Use this report to:

- Identify key areas that will change in the pharmaceutical market structure over the next five years.
- Support internal planning and decision-making with an external perspective founded on detailed analysis and transparent market forecasts.
- Understand how the market and regulatory environment could change.