Mark James calls for PPRS delay
29 October 2008
Mark James, group Managing Director of AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd, today called for a 3 month delay in implementing all parts of the new PPRS.
He said, “I think it has become clear that the Department of Health and ABPI would both benefit from having more time to reach agreement on the detail of the new PPRS and address the concerns which discussions have highlighted.
The recent announcement that December reimbursement rates will be rolled forward into January is welcome news for pharmacists, but it demonstrates that deadlines can be moved when it is sensible to do so.
I can see no pressing need to rush ahead when so much remains unclear and so many concerns unaddressed.
For example, the issues of price uncertainty and stock compensation for wholesalers remain unresolved with no sign when there will be any clarity.
Added to which the Department and ABPI now need to consider if and how the proposed PPRS needs to change due to potential supply shortages arising from PI no longer coming into the UK.
The recent announcement that LoE products will be subject to a separate consultation and implementation gives rise to a whole host of questions which makes a delay sensible.
These are products which have a generic alternative so shortages should be less of an issue, but that only highlights that there are concerns about availability of products whose prices are currently due to change on 1 January.
There are now more than enough reasons to push back the timescales and I hope the Department will do so.
