Alliance Healthcare Introduces OptiTote to Drive Efficiencies for Pharmacists

Alliance Healthcare is today announcing the launch of OptiTote, a semi automated repeat dispensing solution, designed to improve efficiency and accuracy in pharmacy operations.

The technology will enable pharmacists to partially automate repeat prescription dispensing, simplifying the dispensing operation and freeing up valuable time. This will enable pharmacists to devote more time to growing their business, including upskilling staff and patient care.

As Pharmacies face increasing pressure to optimise workflows, expand services, and reduce costs, OptiTote’s partial automation removes the need for manual unpacking and shelf picking, allowing pharmacy teams to collate patient orders more accurately using advanced barcode scanning technology. Furthermore, OptiTote's 'just in time' stock fulfilment allows pharmacies to maintain lower inventory levels, thereby reducing the capital tied up in stock.

How does it work?

Managed entirely by in-house dispensing teams, this patient-specific tote system integrates seamlessly with Alliance Healthcare’s ordering systems, offering a more streamlined approach to repeat prescriptions.

Unlike traditional repeat prescription management, OptiTote enables pharmacies to maintain full control over prescriptions while accelerating the dispensing process.

OptiTote is ordered via the OptiTote software, the order is encrypted to protect patient data and is sent through to the Alliance Healthcare service centre, where it is assembled ready for dispatch the following morning. The OptiTote is delivered with the pharmacy’s standard Alliance Healthcare order.

Paula Sutherland, Sales Director at Alliance Healthcare said: "Now more than ever, pharmacies need innovative solutions to simplify processes and enable them to focus more on patient care. As pharmacies adapt to evolving healthcare demands, OptiTote provides a practical solution that simplifies and speeds up repeat prescription dispensing, giving pharmacists more time to spend training their teams, supporting patients or running their business.”

Dr Jackie Lewis - Pharmacist Director of Lewis Pharmacy in Exmouth, Devon said: “As a business owner and superintendent I have more time to devote to governance of the pharmacy and to developing private services and developing my skills as an IP Pathfinder which can be up to 6 half day sessions per week. Through Optitote we have more available staff time which enables us to run technician service clinics 3 mornings a week.”

The standard OptiTote system is available at no cost and is integrated into existing PMR workstations. The OptiTote team at Alliance Healthcare provide a detailed bespoke training plan for each pharmacy to ensure that key pharmacy team members are fully trained and are confident in using the product. The training is conducted in a live environment within the pharmacy with the Alliance OptiTote product technician on hand to support and guide.

Visit our webpage to find out more information including how to enquire about OptiTote.

Pharmacies can also reach out to their Alliance Healthcare account manager if you’d like to sign up to OptiTote. If eligible, our dedicated team will then work with the pharmacy with a mutual date to install the kit and then train and support the pharmacy team.

Alliance Healthcare UK announces changes to its network

Alliance Healthcare UK today announced that it was continuing the transformation of its network by commencing development of a new, multipurpose Central Logistics Centre (CLC) in Birmingham that will become its largest facility and most advanced in Europe.

Set to open in spring 2026, the CLC will create more than 200 jobs and incorporate 95% pick automation alongside an advanced radio frequency identification solution unique to Alliance Healthcare UK. The CLC comprises 300,000 square feet, increasing the company’s total UK warehouse space by 25%.

In creating this capacity, the CLC will absorb a small proportion of production from a handful of neighbouring service centres (SCs). Additionally, Alliance Healthcare UK proposes to close both Hinckley and Nottingham SCs in 2026 and transition slow moving medical lines from South Normanton SC to the CLC.

Representing a significant investment by parent company Cencora, the CLC location is driven by Alliance Healthcare UK’s current service centre estate, proximity to national driving routes and the anticipated needs of the company’s future customer base.

For more information about this announcement, please email pressoffice@alliance-healthcare.co.uk.

Class 4 caution in use-Azithromycin 250mg capsules

Jubilant Pharmaceuticals NV has informed the MHRA that the Patient information leaflet (PIL) in the cartons for the batches listed in the table include an outdated PIL. These packs contain a PIL which was revised in October 2021. The latest approved PIL is dated February 2025.

MHRA Drug alert date: 11th March 2025

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-4-medicines-defect-notification-azithromycin-250-mg-capsules-el-25-a-slash-11?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=58be95dd-6279-417b-8a53-1c58d583648b&utm_content=immediately

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

Further Information

For medical information enquiries please email safety.uk@lambda-cro.com or telephone 0080089013370

For stock control enquiries please email JPUK.Customerservice@jubl.com , or telephone 01233 552293

Alcura site welcomes Labour MP, Mike Reader

On Monday, our homecare business - Alcura were delighted to welcome Labour MP for Northampton South Mike Reader to our bustling Alcura site, home to over 200 team members. Mike met with Sam Unsworth, Head of Communications, and Catherine van Vliet, Head of Alcura, to discuss Alcura’s personalised services and the impact they have in the local community and nationwide.

Discussion focussed on the work of the Alcura pharmacy, the unique nursing home care service and the difference Alcura makes in helping Government's plans to move services from ‘hospital to community’.  Mike was introduced to Kara Richards, Head of Nursing, Alcura, who was able to share insights about the vital care that home nursing provides.
 

After the meeting Mike was led on a tour of the Alcura pharmacy by Site Manager Ellie Taylor where he was able to see pharmacy team members in action, the homecare nursing unit and visit the Alcura warehouse. With thanks to Ellie and Kara for joining the tour and special thanks to Mike for coming, we look forward to continuing our work with you.

Class 2 recall-Boots Paracetamol tablets 500mg 16s

Aspar Pharmaceuticals Limited have informed the MHRA of an error related to a batch of Boots Paracetamol 500 mg tablets (16s). The foil blister inside the carton incorrectly states ‘Aspirin 300 mg Dispersible Tablets’. The tablets are confirmed to be Paracetamol 500 mg table

MHRA drug alert link https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-boots-paracetamol-500-mg-tablets-16s-el-25-a-slash-10?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=f8e9956d-315e-40fa-a334-d4f2a6ef648c&utm_content=immediately

Further Information

For stock control enquiries please contact Aspar Pharmaceuticals Limited Info@aspar.co.uk or telephone 02082059846.

For any additional enquiries to Aspar Pharmaceuticals Limited please email Uma.cherukuri@aspar.co.uk

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.

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 3 months of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.

Class 2 recall-Pemetrexed infusion bag 800mg & 1000mg Sun Pharma

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe B.V. is recalling those product batches listed in this notification as a precautionary measure due to out of specification results reported for the Particulate Matter Test (PMT) during stability testing.

MHRA drug alert link https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-sun-pharmaceutical-industries-europe-b-dot-v-pemetrexed-1000mg-slash-100ml-10mg-slash-ml-and-800mg-slash-ml-8mg-slash-ml-infusion-bag-el-25-a-slash-09?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=46a9a60c-085d-4255-ad01-adb0b60db794&utm_content=immediately

Further Information

For stock control enquiries please contact Customer Service UK Cserv.uk@sunpharma.com or phone (0) 20 8848 5050

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.

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 3 months of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.

Class 3 recall- Azacitidine 100 mg/vial and 150 mg/vial Powder for Suspension for Injection

Accord Healthcare Limited is recalling certain batches of Azacitidine Powder for Suspension for Injection 100 mg/vial and 150 mg/vial as precautionary measure due to out of specification results for Azacitidine related compound C impurity during stability testing.

MHRA drug alert link https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-3-medicines-recall-azacitidine-100-mg-slash-vial-and-150-mg-slash-vial-powder-for-suspension-for-injection-el-25-a-slash-08

MHRA ref: DMRC-34527566

Further Information

For medical information enquiries please contact Accord-UK Ltd Medical Information Department on 01271 385257 or email medinfo@accord-healthcare.com
For stock control enquiries please contact Accord-UK Ltd Customer Services Team on 0800 373573

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit.

Unfortunately, we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited).

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 12 weeks of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.

Class 3 recall-PI Glucophage 500, 750 and 1000mg

All batches of the named products are being recalled by the Marketing Authorisation Holder in Italy and subsequent UK parallel distributor companies as a precautionary measure due to the product being manufactured with the incorrect grade of an excipient.

MHRA drug alert link https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-3-medicines-recall-glucophage-sr-500-mg-750mg-and-1000mg-prolonged-release-tablets-el-25-a-slash-07?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=298bffdc-cf0f-4149-9784-b8eb50d1064a&utm_content=immediately

MHRA ref: DMRC-34710077

Further Information

• For PilsCo Ltd. stock control enquiries please contact pmccourt@ethigen.co.uk
• For Uni Health Distribution (Savio Industrial S.r.L.or Special Product’s Line SpA) stock control enquiries please contact info@uhdltd.co.uk
• For Star Pharmaceuticals Limited stock control and recall enquiries please contact recall@drugsrus.co.uk
• For B&S Quality group and Customer Service enquiries please contact qa@bnshealthcare.com & customerservices@bnsdistribution.uk
• For Quadrant Pharmaceuticals stock control and recall enquiries please contact Angeline.Rees@Maxearn.co.uk

For further medical information enquiries please contact: info@bruno.org

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit.

Unfortunately, we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited).

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 12 weeks of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.

Class 4 caution in use-Lansoprazole 15mg hard caps Teva

Teva UK Limited is reporting a minor typographical error on the carton for Lansoprazole Gastro-Resistant Hard Capsules 15mg. There are two instances where the dosage form is stated as “tablets” where it should state “gastro-resistant capsule, hard”.

MHRA Drug alert date: 11th February 2025

MHRA drug alert link https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-4-medicines-notification-lansoprazole-gastro-resistant-hard-capsules-15mg-el-25-a-slash-06?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=0d2bb3ae-b928-4794-a36a-408d0f4fb540&utm_content=immediately

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

Further Information

For medical information enquiries please telephone 0207 540 7117 or email medinfo@tevauk.com.

For stock control enquiries telephone 0800 590502 or email Customer.services@tevauk.com.

Class 2 recall- Nitrofurantoin 100 mg Prolonged-Release capsules

Class 2 recall- Nitrofurantoin 100 mg Prolonged-Release capsules

CNX Therapeutics is recalling the batches listed in this notification as a precautionary measure due to a small number of packs that contain an additional tablet of Nitrofurantoin. The registered product is a capsule containing powder and two yellow tablets.

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-nitrofurantoin-cnx-therapeutics-100-mg-prolonged-release-capsules-el-25-a-slash-05?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=1ea315d7-385a-456b-af14-f9e50bb7568c&utm_content=immediately

MHRA ref: DMRC-34425982

Further information

For medical information enquiries please contact 0207 821 2840 or medinfo@cnx-therapeutics.com

For stock control enquiries please contact 0207 821 2840 or supplychain@cnx-therapeutics.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).

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 12 weeks of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.