Ticker Update

Alliance Healthcare comments on recent Health Secretary appreciation for community pharmacy

Alliance Healthcare welcomes the recent* acknowledgement and praise from the current Health Secretary Sajid Javid, applauding the tremendous efforts of community pharmacy over the COVID-19 period.

We would like to echo the sentiment that community pharmacy gets the support it needs to continue the work it is doing in serving the local communities.

We encourage the Health Secretary to engage with the sector regularly to understand its needs and pressures and extend that invitation to Alliance Healthcare – the largest independent pharmaceutical wholesaler in the UK.

We strongly believe that the COVID-19 vaccination programme has been crucial in saving lives and aiding the recovery of our economy. Community pharmacy has stepped up and delivered support to the UK patient once again. We would like to once again praise our fantastic Alphega Pharmacy members that have engaged with the vaccination roll-out and to our pre-wholesale colleagues at Alloga who have been pivotal in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Alliance Healthcare Marks National Customer Service Week

Alliance Healthcare marks National Customer Service Week with a week-long internal engagement event for its 5,500 colleagues.

 Commencing on Monday 04 October and through the week, the UK’s largest independent pharmaceutical wholesaler Alliance Healthcare will hold a number of internal educational activities in parallel to the daily themes set out by the Institute of Customer Service, to raise awareness of customer service and the vital role it plays in successful business practice and the growth of the UK economy.

Every day the team will be exploring a new theme linked to Customer Service and these are:

• Monday – The Changing World of Work

• Tuesday – Service with Respect Day

• Wednesday – Essential Customer Service Skills & Capabilities

• Thursday – Effective Strategy & Focused Leadership

• Friday – Give your customer service heroes the Recognition they deserve

 Throughout the week the Alliance Healthcare Customer Service Team will enjoy a series of games and prizes across its virtual office. In recognition of Monday’s theme, the changing world of work, colleagues will share stories and photos of their time working from home featuring children and pets. On Friday, the theme is ‘Give your customer service heroes the recognition they deserve’ and service agents will guess the manager behind the Superhero photo.

Julian Mount, Managing Director, Alliance Healthcare UK said: “Great customer service should be at the heart of every business and I feel it is something we do exceptionally well at Alliance Healthcare. I recognise that it is not an easy environment for a pharmaceutical wholesale business like Alliance Healthcare to operate in right now; with challenges from COVID absenteeism right through to fuel shortages. Despite this, everyone at Alliance Healthcare is working extremely hard to reassure our customers we are doing everything possible to deliver life-saving medicines for their patients. Our colleague’s commitment is something we are very proud of and I am personally very thankful to them all.”

 In recognition of the value of customer service, Alliance Healthcare is a member of the Institute of Customer Service - an organisation that exists to improve business performance by improving the customer experience.

Vicki Martin, Head of Customer Service, Alliance Healthcare UK said: “We are really pleased to have joined the Institute of Customer Service and National Customer Service Week is our chance to promote the importance of delivering great customer service as well as to take the opportunity to recognise the great work our people do every day, both within Customer Service and around the business.

UPDATE: Ordering Lateral Flow tests – PIP codes - 04 October

Please see below for the various PIP codes you can use to order lateral flow tests. 

If one of the English pip codes appears to be out of stock, please check the other as we have good stock levels and receive daily replenishment. 

Please be advised that for the Flowflex test kits (pip 8033680), the Lot numbers can be found on the outside of the box of 7s.

Please allow 3 working days for receipt of orders placed for this product.

REGION                  PIP CODE                PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

England                   8943037                  DHSC INNOVA COV19 RAPIDTEST (7)

England                   8033680                 DHSC FLOWFLEX COV TEST KITS (7)

Scotland                  8031338                  NHS SCOT COV19 RAPIDTEST (7)

Scotland                  8037673                  NHS SCOT O GENE TEST KITS (7)

Wales                       8943730                 NHS WALES COV19 RAPIDTEST (7)

Continuing to strive for business-as-usual service amidst the current fuel supply challenge and driver shortage

The on-going national fuel supply challenge, along with continued driver shortages, will continue to impact our service offering in some areas of the UK. As a business we are doing everything we can in partnership with our suppliers to offer the best service possible.

We’re implementing contingency plans
We continue to work with all stakeholders on various initiatives to mitigate the problem and implement contingency plans wherever possible.

These plans include:

• On-going use of bunkered fuel on site across the majority of our service centres, with increased delivery arrangements. 

• Additional fuel cards to drivers at this time, which allows the use of more fuel stations across the country.  We are also asking drivers to top up where necessary, if they see a fuel station where this is possible.

• Where we have fuel deliveries directly to site, we have upped the quantities being delivered during this time to mitigate any risk.

• We are in regular contact with suppliers and continue to see adequate stock supply with regular inbound deliveries.

• Should the government implement tactics to further mitigate the fuel supply risks, then our driver as a Priority 2 worker, will have be granted critical access to fuel.

We are truly grateful to our operational colleagues and drivers at this time, for their personal efforts, as we strive for business-as-usual service.

Recruitment drive
While driver shortages continue across the country, we have seen success from our on-going recruitment drive. New drivers are joining regularly and are being trained quickly and efficiently across the network.

We’re working hard to support you
As the UK’s largest independent pharmaceutical wholesaler, we take our responsibility to maintain UK medicine supply very seriously. Our main aim, as ever, is to provide a service to our customers and, in turn, patients across the UK.

We will continue to keep you updated on the situation as it evolves and thank you for your understanding.

Continuing to strive for business-as-usual service as fuel challenges develop and driver shortages continue

The national fuel supply challenge, along with continued driver shortages, will impact our service offering in some areas of the UK this week. To continue to offer the best service possible at this time, we are working with all stakeholders on various initiatives to mitigate the problem as best we can.

We are truly grateful to our operational colleagues and drivers at this time, for their personal efforts, as we strive for business-as-usual service.

Driver shortages continue across the country, but we are seeing great success from our continued recruitment drive. New drivers are joining regularly and are being trained quickly and efficiently across the network.

As the UK’s largest independent pharmaceutical wholesaler, we take our responsibility to maintain UK medicine supply very seriously. Our main aim, as ever, is to provide a service to our customers and, in turn, patients across the UK.

We will continue to keep you updated on the situation as it evolves and thank you for your understanding.

Alphega Pharmacy member wins Pharmacy Champion Award at ROE Awards

Congratulations to Heidi Norton, Healthy Living Champion, from Bidford Pharmacy on winning the Pharmacy Champion Award – sponsored by Alphega Pharmacy at the recent Training Matters Recognition of Excellence (ROE) Awards, London. The Pharmacy Champion award celebrates the achievements of a special team member who has raised awareness of their pharmacy and promoted its services within the local community.

Heidi Norton was commended for her partnership campaign with a local dental practice in raising awareness of the importance of oral hygiene. It was this joined-up approach which helped patients feel cared for and added significant value to the support Heidi and the team could offer its patients. Heidi attended coffee mornings, local libraries, and village fetes, armed with pharmacy information and healthcare leaflets to promote this service. Heidi said: “It works well to tell the community we are here – and here for them.”

Richard Janes, Head of Alphega Pharmacy Retail said: “After the past 18 months the industry has had, it is fantastic to see such a great advocate of pharmacy really supporting their local community with such great ideas and initiatives. Well done Heidi and the rest of the team at Bidford pharmacy”.

Congratulations to  Lesley Vernoum-Norman, dispensing assistant, Abbotswood Pharmacy, Yate, South Gloucestershire, and Abdul Mauzer, assistant manager, Day Lewis Pharmacy, Old Montague Street, Tower Hamlets, London, as highly recommended in this category, and to all winners and runner-up team members at the event.

Read more about the event at Training Matters online at: RoE 2021 winners revealed (tmmagazine.co.uk) 

Almus Launch Erectile Dysfunction Relief 50mg Film Coated Tablets into UK Pharmacy Market

According to the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) erectile dysfunction becomes increasingly more common with age and is seen in 50 - 55% of men between 40 and 70 years old. It is often associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, which are all significant risks to overall health*

Almus are pleased to announce the launch of Almus Erectile Dysfunction Relief 50mg Film Coated Tablets to the UK pharmaceutical market.

Tara Dew, Own Brand Manager, said: “We believe that erectile dysfunction is no longer an off-limits discussion. We feel that sufferers should not feel embarrassed to ask for advice from their pharmacists. The launch of Almus Erectile Dysfunction Relief 50mg Film Coated Tablets brings an affordable  treatment option to both pharmacists and patients, compared to the UK leading brand competitor.”

Sachiv Patel, Director of National Accounts & Health and Beauty at Alliance Healthcare, comments “This is a landmark product launch for us as we firmly believe that essential patient and personal care products should be available to everyone at an affordable price, without compromising on quality.”

Almus Erectile Dysfunction Relief 50mg Film Coated Tablets will be the first of several new products to be launched in innovative new packaging.

“We’re preparing to launch a range of new lines across various therapeutic categories before the end of the year. and the new packaging design will be rolled out across our current product range. It’s a very exciting time to be involved with Almus and Alliance Healthcare.”

Product information

Almus Erectile Dysfunction Relief 50mg Film Coated Tablets are available in both 4 and 8 pack sizes. See pricing and PIP code detail below.  Order Almus products through the Alliance Healthcare Portal, AH Direct, your PMR  or call: 0330 100 0448

Almus Erectile Dysfunction Relief Sildenafil ‘P’ Medicine PI. Essential Information Name of Product Almus Erectile Dysfunction Relief 50 mg Film-Coated Tablets. Active Ingredient: Sildenafil (as citrate). Indications Almus Erectile Dysfunction Relief 50 mg Film-Coated Tablets is indicated in adult men with erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. For Almus Erectile Dysfunction Relief 50 mg Film-Coated Tablets to be effective, sexual stimulation is required. Dosage: The recommended dose is one 50 mg tablet taken with water approximately one hour before sexual activity. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day. If Almus Erectile Dysfunction Relief 50mg Film-Coated Tablets is taken with food, the onset of activity may be delayed compared to the fasted state. Legal Category: P Pharmacy OTC status. MANumber PL 08553/0621. MA Holder: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (UK) Ltd, 6 Riverview Road, East Yorkshire, HU17 0LD. Further information about this product including adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications and methods of use can be found at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/11008/smpc Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. Adverse events may also be reported to Pharmacovigilance at Dr Reddy’s Laboratories via drreddysgb@eu.propharmagroup.com. Please consult the summary of product characteristics before recommending.

*https://www.baus.org.uk/patients/conditions/3/erectile_dysfunction_impotence

Alliance Healthcare supports the Pharmacy Collect Service in Northern Ireland, supplying community pharmacies with NHS rapid lateral flow tests for people to collect and use at home

Alliance Healthcare is supporting community pharmacies in Northern Ireland by supplying NHS lateral flow tests to be distributed to people through the Pharmacy Collect Service.

Pharmacies in Northern Ireland can now order lateral flow tests via Alliance Healthcare as it continues supporting the nations efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

The Pharmacy Collect Service aims to improve access to COVID-19 testing by making lateral flow test kits readily available at community pharmacies for asymptomatic people. In doing so, it will help to identify COVID-positive cases and then break the chain of transmission.

John Laverty, Head of Independent Pharmacy – Northern Ireland said: “Working in an exclusive partnership with the Department of Health, I am very proud that Alliance Healthcare is able to support this initiative. We have already seen 420 orders placed which equates to more than 500 cartons, and our teams at our Belfast Service Centre continue to work tirelessly, as we have done throughout the pandemic, to aid the incredible work of the NHS and community pharmacy in Northern Ireland.”

Pharmacy customers in Northern Ireland should order via myahportal.co.uk or their provider, with PIP code: 8943904 (HSC N Ire Cov19 Rapid Test).

Update: COVID absence and driver shortage

Firstly, thank you for your patience while we at Alliance Healthcare have continued to put measures in place to mitigate issues that are affecting industries across the country. We are all very grateful for your understanding while we continue to progress with our improvements to service each day.

Absence levels across our network are continuing to decrease as our exemption from Test and Trace isolation has taken effect. We are obviously still dealing with some COVID absence but we are happy to say that our focus and dedication has meant that we have continued with twice daily deliveries across the UK.

Our national recruitment campaign is continuing and we are seeing good numbers of applicants each week. New starters are learning the ropes and our most experienced drivers are helping with training and coaching.

As always, our main aim is to provide a stable service to you, our customers and, in turn, patients across the UK. This is at the heart of everything we do. Thank you again for your patience and understanding during this time.

We will continue to keep you updated on the situation as it evolves.

Calling Pharmacy England Contractors: Claim Your COVID-19 Costs Now!

With just five days to go, Alliance Healthcare is urging pharmacy contractors in England to claim for all extra COVID-19 costs they have incurred during the pandemic. The deadline is 23:59 on Sunday 15th August.

Ashley Kilgas, Sales Director at Alliance Healthcare said: “Alliance Healthcare urges all pharmacy contractors to, as a matter of urgency, ensure they apply to claim back extra COVID-19 costs they incurred during the pandemic. It is imperative all contractors carry out this exercise and submit their claim before the deadline. There is a range of support and resources on the PSNC website to aid the claims made, please visit: https://psnc.org.uk/the-healthcare-landscape/covid19/funding-during-the-pandemic/ 

Ian Barnes, Head of Field Operations at Alphega Pharmacy UK said: “The Alphega Pharmacy team has over the last few weeks been visiting and calling its members to offer support in the COVID-19 extra costs claiming process. What is apparent to our teams is that some pharmacies have not yet started looking at their claim submissions and in some cases some members are struggling to ascertain what their costs are. The Alphega Pharmacy Business Mentor team are out in the field to support members in this area – and my dedicated field team of 10 people are fully committed to help. All Alphega Pharmacy members that need any support in this subject so please contact: membersupport@alphega-pharmacy.co.uk