MEDIA RELEASE 17 September 2020 Members of the National Pharmaceutical Services Association (NPSA) have welcomed today’s decision by the ACCC allowing continued cooperation to support Australians with access to medicines and pharmacy products during the COVID-19 emergency.
Interim authorisation was initially granted in March this year. Today’s Final Determination by the ACCC allows NPSA members to continue to cooperate in response to COVID-19 until 30 September 2021, with the ACCC accepting there are significant public benefits in facilitating the role of NPSA members in the supply of medicines and maintaining readiness to deal with supply risks due to COVID-19.
NPSA is the peak industry body representing representing medicines wholesalers – Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API), National Pharmacies, Sigma and Symbion who are responsible for the management, warehousing and distribution of medicines and vaccines to community pharmacies and public and private hospitals across Australia.
NPSA Chairman Richard Vincent said, “We thank the ACCC for its determination, which comes at a critical time as the health sector plans for the logistics roll-out of an approved vaccine for COVID-19.
“We are pleased to be able to continue working together and supporting government at this difficult time. Since being granted interim authorisation in March, NPSA has formed a highly productive working group to co-ordinate and help ensure community access to medicines. In addition we have actively participated in the government’s Medicines Shortage Working Party, engaging closely with the TGA and the entire supply chain to help manage medicines shortages as well as providing the ACCC with regular updates on developments.
“The certainty of efficient medicines and vaccines supply and uninterrupted distribution to all corners of Australia is essential and we are proud to be able to fulfil this role.”
Contact: Elizabeth Cuming, Executive Director NPSA [email protected]