Ticker Update

Out of Hours Emergency Delivery – Important change for Croydon Service Centre only

Unfortunately, due to issues outside of our control, we are making our Croydon Service Centre customers aware of a change to our out of hours contact details. This is the contact for emergency deliveries for use when our service centre is closed. 

From 6pm on Thursday 10th December 2020, Croydon Service Centre customers contact for out of hours emergency deliveries* will be Securitas on 0844 725 5568. During the call, it will be essential that customers quote their Alliance Healthcare account number, a contact number and also state that you they are supplied by Croydon Service Centre.

The out of hours number can always be obtained by calling our Customer Service number (0330 100 0448) out of hours to hear the pre-recorded message.

Please note this change is only for Croydon Service Centre.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Pharmacy Business Virtual Conference 2020

Like many events this year, the Pharmacy Business Conference took place in a virtual setting, as pharmacy leaders came together for two evenings on Tuesday 24th and Thursday 26th November, to discuss the future of community pharmacy.

Julian Mount, Managing Director, Alliance Healthcare joined the Pharmacy Leaders Panel, alongside Simon Dukes, PSNC, Mark Lyonette, and NPA, Ashley Cowen, AAH, hosted by Michael Holden, Associate Director, Pharmacy Complete.

Watch the highlights video of our involvement here

CLASS 2 RECALL - SIMVADOR 10, 20 & 40mg TABLETS

Lupin Healthcare (UK) Limited has informed us that the affected batches below (also distributed by Discovery Pharmaceuticals/Dexcel Pharma Limited) have been packaged with a version of patient information leaflet (PIL) that does not include the most up to date safety information..”   

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-3-medicines-recall-lupin-healthcare-uk-limited-simvador-10mg-20mg-and-40mg-tablets-el-20-a-57?utm_source=22bc7d72-98a3-44b2-b529-22cffbe3f477&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate    

For stock control enquiries please contact +44 (0) 1565 751 378 Option 2 or information@lupin.com

For more information or medical information enquiries please contact +44 (0) 1565 751 378 Option 1 or

Pharmacovigilance Department at EU-PV@lupin.com

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies

This recall will remain open for 3 months from the date issued unless an alternative date is agreed by instigator. The closure of this will be 04/03/2021. Please note after this date customer returns may still be accepted but customers may not be credited.

Grunenthal: Vimovo™ Transition (PIP: 3591088) 30th November 2020

On the 30th November 2020, the Marketing Authorisation for Vimovo™ 500mg/ 20mg modified release tablets (500mg naproxen/ 20mg esomeprazole) transferred from AstraZeneca to Grunenthal. As Alliance Healthcare is Grunenthal’s exclusive wholesale partner this line will only be available to purchase from Alliance Healthcare moving forward. The applicable 5% downstream discount on selected Grunenthal lines will be applied to Vimovo™. If you have any queries, please speak to your Alliance Healthcare Account Manager.

CLASS 2 RECALL - BETAHISTINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE 8MG & 16MG TABLETS

Kent Pharmaceuticals Ltd has informed us that the affected batches above are contaminated with theophylline due to a cross-contamination issue identified with an excipient that was used in the manufacture of the finished product. Therefore, a decision has been taken to recall the affected batches

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-kent-pharmaceuticals-ltd-betahistine-dihydrochloride-8mg-and-16mg-tablets-el-20-a-55?utm_source=40c23525-b2da-4a2b-9a24-fc70e06dce17&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 customer.service@kent-athlone.com

For more information or medical information medical@kent-athlone.com

Company Led - Caution in use - Epistatus

Dear Healthcare Professional,

We have been made aware of Midazolam Maleate (Epistatus 10mg in 1ml Oromucosal Solution, Multidose bottle), unlicensed, emergency use medication for prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures: Potential risk of faulty and incorrectly engaged child - resistant container closure 

Please click here for further information 

Suspected drug reactions may also be reported to Veriton Pharma Ltd, Telephone +44 (0)1932 690325

For reporting of identified defects or queries, please contact Vertion Pharma Ltd, Telephone +44 (0) 1932690325 or email info veritonpharma.com

CLASS 2 RECALL - LARGACTIL AMP 50MG/2ML

Sanofi is recalling the below batches due to out of specification results obtained for the impurity chlorpromazine sulphoxide, which was suspected to be caused by increased oxidation as a result of higher oxygen content in the headspace of the ampoules. As a precautionary measure, the above batches are being recalled.

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

For stock control enquiries please contact GB-CustomerServices@sanofi.com or phone 0800 854 430

For medical information enquiries please contact uk-medicalinformation@sanofi.com or call 0800 035 25 25

CLASS 2 RECALL - ABSTRAL TAB 200MCG (SCHEDULE 2 CD)

Kyowa Kirin Limited is recalling the below batches as a precautionary measure, due to the reports of double tablets in a single blister pocket. This is a follow up alert, following the issue of EL (20)A/34. Since this notification, Kyowa Kirin Limited have initiated corrective actions to resolve the issue. Complaint batches 608973601 and 608973602 were manufactured prior to the corrective actions being implemented...

This product is a Schedule 2 Controlled Drug, so please use the Returns Portal for any recalled stock you may need to return to ensure there is authorisation to return. If you are unable to use the Returns Portal then your Alliance Healthcare driver will have a ‘Specialist Product Recall Book’ with them on Thursday 26^th November and Friday 27th November  for completion and product uplift AM ONLY. Due to Covid 19, the driver will complete the form on your behalf.  They will ask for the quantity of stock you have to return and the name of the pharmacist. The driver will give you a copy of the completed form for your records.

If you need to return recalled stock from 28th November and are unable to use the Returns Portal please call Customer Services for authorisation to return.

Further Information

For Stock control enquiries please contact: Karen Murray, Commercial Manager

Telephone: +44 (0) 7712 001288

E-mail: karen.murray@kyowakirin.com

For Medical information enquiries please contact:

Medical Information Direct Line: + 44 (0)1896 664 000

E-mail: medinfo@kyowakirin.com

For Quality information please contact: Martin Smith (Responsible Person)

Telephone: +44 7904671807

E-mail: Martin.Smith@kyowakirin.com

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

This recall will remain open for 3 months from the date issued unless an alternative date is agreed by instigator. The closure of this will be 25/02/2021. Please note after this date customer returns may still be accepted but customers may not be credited

Alliance Healthcare and Boots UK Donate 500,000 Lifesaving Medicine, Almus Dexamethasone to the NHS

Alliance Healthcare, the UK’s largest medical wholesaler and partner to the NHS, and Boots UK, the largest pharmacy-led health and beauty chain in the UK, both part of Walgreens Boots Alliance, have donated 500,000 2mg Almus Dexamethasone tablets to the NHS in a joint commitment to the NHS and UK patients in support of the fight against COVID-19.

The decision came when UK experts at RECOVERY clinical trial[1] announced the benefits of Dexamethasone in June, describing how the low-dose steroid treatment can reduce fatalities by up to one third in hospitalised patients with severe respiratory complications of COVID-19.

Working together, Julian Mount, Alliance Healthcare UK Managing Director and Seb James, Managing Director of Boots UK and ROI, wrote letters to Sir Simon Stevens, Chief Executive Officer of the NHS and Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with an offer to donate the lifesaving medicine to the NHS and support the major breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19.

Alliance Healthcare UK has recently completed delivery of the 500,000 2mg Almus Dexamethasone tablets to Public Heath England, who are holding stockpiles of medicines to be distributed to the NHS hospitals across the UK, as and when needed. Julian Mount commented: “The outcome presented a fantastic opportunity for Alliance Healthcare and Boots UK to further demonstrate their support and friendship to the NHS.”

John Southall, Senior Pharmacy Purchasing Technician at Mid and South Essex University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It was evident from early COVID-19 trials that Dexamethasone was very important in the treatment of severely ill patients as it was shown to improve symptoms very quickly in some patients, consequently preventing many patients progressing on to requiring costly mechanical ventilation and long term hospital care.”

Commenting on the donation John Southall adds: “It was very generous and civic minded of Alliance Healthcare to donate this quantity to the NHS. The quantity fed into the Central Stock Pile was vast, and exceeded actual requirements.”

Julian Mount said: “The hard work and dedication of the NHS to patients across the UK continues to amaze me and I hope the recent donation of Almus Dexamethasone will help to save lives and support the incredible efforts of NHS teams.”

Seb James added: “In times of national pandemic, and as we see incident rates rising, we believe that it’s the duty of all businesses to do what they can to support the national effort and fight against COVID-19. I believe that this donation is another way that we can practically offer our support to the NHS and Government, and we feel very proud to do so.”

Celebrating World Children's Day

This 20 November 2020, see’s Alliance Healthcare recognising World Children Day by setting our colleagues a cooking challenge to raise funds for our wonderful charity partner, Vitamin Angels UK, kindly supported by the sponsor of our event, the LCM Group an established company located in the North West who’s business includes the Design, Building and Maintenance of commercial properties and complexes within the UK.

Using only £5 or less, our internal teams have been asked to create a healthy dish to raise awareness of childhood nutrition in the UK.

It is estimated that one in four children in the UK are from low income households and are at risk for food insecurity.  With limited resources, food insecure families often resort to purchasing inexpensive and sometime unhealthy foods.  With our colleagues help, we’re hoping to create some low cost, healthy alternatives for inspiration!

Vitamin Angels UK is a global charity that fights childhood malnutrition in the UK and around the world. In the UK, Vitamin Angels has a supplemental feeding programme that supports children from low-income communities who can benefit from increased access to better nutrition. The cost to reach a child with a nutritious serving of food is only 20p. Globally, Vitamin Angels provides women and  children with life-changing vitamins and minerals. They work in over 70 countries around the world and reach over 70 million women and children every year.

Our thanks go out to our exclusive sponsor of this event, the LCM Group, for their support in helping to raise awareness of our chosen charity.

To find out more about the fantastic work of  Vitamin Angels UK or to contribute to our charity partner, click here.