Supply of POMs: the Competition Commission starts to look for answers

British Competition Commission looks into supply of medicines available on prescription

source: Veterinary Record vol 150 No 18, May 4 2002
starts p 558, 3 pages long

The British Competition Commission is investigating the supply of vet medicines that are available on on prescrption (POMs). A public hearing in London on April 26 2002 has looked at prices charged by manufacturers, vets, dispensing of drugs by pharmacists, and the system of regulations. National Office of Animal Health's Phil Sketchly, favours a single European system for the authorisation of medicines. Views from pharmaceutical wholesalers, pharamacists and vets were heard on the existing and potential role of pharmacists in supplying POMs. Reasons for POMs being cheaper in many European countries outside the UK were also discussed.
GN,PI