Ticker Update

AmerisourceBergen and Walgreens Boots Alliance announce strategic transaction

AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE: ABC) and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) today announced strategic agreements under which AmerisourceBergen will acquire the majority of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s Alliance Healthcare businesses for approximately $6.5 billion, comprised of $6.275 billion in cash and 2 million shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock.

AmerisourceBergen’s acquisition of Alliance Healthcare will provide even stronger support for pharmacies and pharmacists across the globe and integrated solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturers.  Walgreens Boots Alliance will be able to increase its focus on expanding its core retail pharmacy businesses, bringing even greater healthcare offerings to patients and customers and further accelerating its progress on its clear set of strategic priorities.

In addition to this transaction, the two companies have agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership by extending and expanding their commercial agreements. Their US distribution agreement will be extended by three years until 2029 and their partnership is being expanded to include a commitment to pursue additional opportunities in sourcing and distribution. Furthermore, Alliance Healthcare UK will remain the distribution partner of Boots until 2031. Together, these agreements are expected to create incremental growth, synergies and efficiencies.

“This strategic agreement with AmerisourceBergen, which we consider to be the world’s leading pharmaceutical wholesaler, is a very positive development for the two companies. This deal will enable significant value creation for both companies and will generate new synergies in addition to those already captured. It is a logical step following the success of our long-term strategic relationship with AmerisourceBergen which has been a strong and trusted partner since 2013,” said Stefano Pessina, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance. “The transaction will fuel higher future investments to grow and transform our core retail pharmacy and healthcare businesses, and is EPS accretive long-term for Walgreens Boots Alliance.”

“AmerisourceBergen’s vital role in the health system as a key pillar of pharmaceutical innovation and access has been on full display over the past year,” said Steven Collis, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of AmerisourceBergen. “AmerisourceBergen’s financial and strategic position enable this next evolution of enhancing our ability to provide healthcare capabilities across regions and deliver innovative solutions for our upstream and downstream partners. Today’s announcements will expand our reach and solutions in pharmaceutical distribution and add to AmerisourceBergen’s breadth and depth of global manufacturer services, supporting our ability to create differentiated value for all our stakeholders. I look forward to extending and expanding our successful partnership with Walgreens Boots Alliance and welcoming the industry-leading team at Alliance Healthcare to AmerisourceBergen. Together, we will fulfill AmerisourceBergen’s purpose of being united in our responsibility to create healthier futures.”

These announcements between the two global enterprises continue to build on the close partnership and strong foundation that began in 2013. Walgreens Boots Alliance is the largest shareholder of AmerisourceBergen with a stake of nearly 30 percent, and Ornella Barra, Co-Chief Operating Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance, is a Board Member of AmerisourceBergen.

Further information can be found here

CLASS 2 RECALL - Sodiofolin 50mg/ml Solution for Injection 100mg/2ml

Further to Drug Alert EL (20)A/52 issued on 11 November 2020, medac Pharma LLP is recalling further batches of products following inspection of vials showing hairline damage to the shoulder of the vials. So far, the company has not received any reports of damage for marketed products. However, as this defect may impact on the sterility of the product, the below batches are being recalled as a precautionary measure

MHRA Drug Link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-medac-gmbh-t-slash-a-medac-pharma-llp-sodiofolin-50mg-slash-ml-solution-for-injection-100mg-slash-2ml-pl-11587-slash-0005-el-20-a-slash-61?utm_source=84015acc-7689-472c-92fe-db322a8d4537&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Please note that Alliance Healthcare do not stock and we are not accepting stock returns.

For more information or medical information queries, please contact info@medacpharma.co.uk or telephone 01786 458086.

COMPANY-LED DRUG ALERT - INSTANYL 100MCG SINGLE DOSE

Takeda UK Limited is recalling the below batch of Instanyl 100mcg nasal spray solution (EU/1/09/531/015) due to the observation of cracked vials during inspection of the bulk vials and release testing of the finished products. So far, the company has not received any reports of damage for the marketed products. However, due to the low potential for breaking or cracking of the glass vial, which is contained within the plastic actuator casing and a potential risk of microbial contamination, the above batch is being recalled as a precautionary measure

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/company-led-medicines-recall-instanyl-100mcg-nasal-spray-solution-eu-slash-1-slash-09-slash-531-slash-015?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=a6ea9305-5a64-4dd6-ae86-912f9bbbe915&utm_content=immediately         

Alliance have not supplied this product and therefore we are not accepting stock returns.

Company Contact for medical information enquiries

For medical information enquiries, please contact: Takeda UK Limited by emailing medinfoemea@takeda.com

Company Contact for stock enquiries

Remaining stock of these batches should be quarantined and returned to Takeda for replacement stock where available.

For stock information enquiries, please contact: Alloga UK by emailing allogaUK.credit.claims@alloga.co.uk

Company-Led drug alert Sodium Chloride 0.9% Solution For Injection

Title:  Company-Led drug alert Sodium Chloride 0.9% Solution For Injection
Class type: Company-Led drug alert

Copy: Fresenius Kabi Ltd is recalling the below batch of Sodium chloride 0.9% Solution for injection (PL 08828/0178) which has a polish labelled ampoule within some of the cartons. As this does not impact the full batch, as a precautionary measure Fresenius Kabi are recalling all packs from this batch number. The outer carton is correct and includes the correct patient information leaflet in the English language. The ampoules are the correct composition and specifications as the UK licensed material, however during manufacture the incorrect ampoule label was used. The affected batch is being recalled and all stock will be replaced by corrected stock from Fresenius Kabi Limited.

The affected products' details are as follows:

Alliance do not stock this product we are not accepting stock returns.

For stock information enquiries, please contact: Fresenius Kabi Ltd customer services centre Email: Customer.Services-UK@Fresenius-Kabi.com

Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts.

Field Safety Notice - Voluntary Recall Unisex Patterned Sock C1 Med

L&R Medical Uk Ltd (Pway)is recalling the above batches of products as a Field Safety Notice - Voluntary Recall

The affected products' details are as follows:

This is a FSN voluntary recall and Alliance will be accepting stock returns.

For further information, please contact L&R Medical on 08450 606707

Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts.

CLASS 2 RECALL - ZERBAXA 1G/0.5G POWDER FOR CONCENTRATE FOR SOLUTION FOR INFUSION

Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited is recalling the below batches due to the presence of Ralstonia pickettii in recent batches that were manufactured. The below batches are recalled as a precautionary measure whilst investigations into the microbiological quality of the distributed products are underway

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-merck-sharp-and-dohme-limited-zerbaxa-1g-slash-0-dot-5g-powder-for-concentrate-for-solution-for-infusion-el-20-a-slash-60?utm_source=22cd61e8-ab02-4646-bc21-a8c64c009886&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate     

Please note that Alliance Healthcare do not stock and we are not accepting stock returns.

For stock control enquiries please contact customerservice.msduk@msd.com

Phone number: 01992 452094

For more information or medical information at medicalinformationuk@msd.com

Phone number: 01992 467272

Class 4 Drug Alert (Caution in use only) Co-Careldopa 25mg/100mg tablets

Fairmed Healthcare GmbH has informed us of a discrepancy on the product packaging for some batches. The discrepancy relates to the incorrect spelling of one of the active pharmaceutical ingredients printed on one side of the packs in error.

The affected products' details are as follows:

This is a caution in use only we are not accepting stock returns.

For more information or medical information queries, please contact:

Fairmed Healthcare GmbH

Dorotheenstraße 48, 22301

Hamburg, Germany, Quality Assurance Department

or via email on QA Manager: l.rozikova@fair-med.com

Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts.

Class 4 Drug Alert (Caution in use only) Perindopril Erbumine 2mg, 4mg & 8mg Tablets

Generics [UK] Limited t/a Mylan have informed us that the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) within the packs for the products listed above is missing relevant important safety information.

The affected products' details are as follows:

This is a caution in use only we are not accepting stock returns.

For more information or medical information queries, please contact: Generics [UK] Limited t/a Mylan Medical Information Direct Line +44 (0)1707 853 000 select option 1, Customer Care direct line +44 (0)1707 853 000 select option 2 or via Medical Information e-mail info@mylan.co.uk

Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts.

Teleflex Medical UK – Solus Agreement

From 4th January 2021, Alliance Healthcare UK will become the only wholesaler to supply the Teleflex Medical UK Urology product portfolio to all pharmacies and dispensing doctors in the United Kingdom. All Teleflex Medical UK lines will continue to be available through NWOS. There is a change in discount to 8.5% on applicable lines.

If you have any queries, please speak to your Alliance Healthcare Account Manager.

Alphega Pharmacy Members Win at Prestigious Pharmacy Awards

Two Alphega Pharmacy members triumphed at this year’s Chemist and Druggist awards: Jackie Lewis, Lewis Pharmacy, and Graham Phillips, Manor Pharmacy. Jackie and Graham have been recognised at one of the highest pharmaceutical industry levels for their remarkable efforts in assisting early diagnosis of cancer, diabetes and associated diseases.

Jackie Lewis, Alphega Pharmacy member and Pharmacist Director, has been at the heart of her community in Exmouth for over 20 years as owner and pharmacist at Lewis Pharmacy. COVID-19 changed the face of the world this year, and pharmacies were called upon to be part of their communities like never before - Lewis Pharmacy played its part by delivering all of its pharmacy services throughout 2020, to the benefit of the local community and UK patients.

At the end of what has been an extremely challenging year, Jackie has been awarded: “Community Pharmacist of the Year” at the reputable Chemist and Druggist awards, and is delighted to be recognised by the industry that she loves working in.

Over the last few years, Jackie has been increasingly involved in bringing community pharmacies to the forefront of assisting in early diagnosis of cancer by pharmacy teams. Working in collaboration with Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, British Oncology Pharmacy Association and now pharma industry partners, she started the year finalising the: ’Not Normal For You’ project within a group of local pharmacies. Jackie has since recruited a team of experts from all over the UK to work on a national early diagnosis project for pharmacy staff which will hopefully be released in early 2021.

Mike Smith, Alliance Healthcare UK, Non-Executive Advisor added: “Jackie (and Martyn Lewis) has looked after my wife Rosie and I for 10 years - the quality of her advice on medicines management is of the highest quality. The service from Lewis Pharmacy is second to none. This award proves how important the work you carry out really is, congratulations to you Jackie.”

Graham Phillips, Alphega Pharmacy member and Superintendent Pharmacist of Manor Pharmacy and ProLongevity Founder, was awarded: “Health Initiative of the Year” for his work with ProLongevity, a Diabetes Prevention Service. Graham said: “I am both delighted and humbled to receive such a prestigious award. Type 2 diabetes, and associated diseases such as obesity, cardio-vascular disease and dementia are a worldwide pandemic. Helping patients find sustainable solutions to preventing or reversing these long-term conditions by improving their lifestyles via the www.prolongevity.co.uk programme is truly a joy.”

Raj Nutan, Head of Alphega Pharmacy UK said: “All Alphega Pharmacy members demonstrate incredible support for UK patients, day-in, day-out, and we are very proud of all the efforts from community pharmacy, but in particular Jackie and Graham. Their commitment, energy and determination to help people in the UK live healthier and happier lives, and fight life-threatening diseases is truly incredible and I am delighted their efforts have achieved this level of recognition.”

Alliance Healthcare is proud to work with Alphega Pharmacy members and support their exceptional efforts.