Class 4 Drug Caution in use - Kolanticon Gel

Intrapharm Laboratories Ltd has informed us that there is a difference in dosage instructions between the carton and label. The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) and bottle label contain the correct instructions.

This may have been supplied by AHDL. Unfortunately we are not providing specific batch information you will  be required to follow the instructions as per the drug alert.

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

For more information or medical information queries, please contact: medinfo@intrapharmlabs.com or telephone +44 (0)330 1359 437.

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

If you have any questions, then please contact your local Service Centre Customer Services team

Alcura achieves data security certification

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has accredited Alcura with its prestigious data security standard  

Alcura, our patient care business, has worked tirelessly over the last few years to ensure patient data is protected and that all its systems and processes are secure and stable.

The hard work has paid off as the business has been awarded with a data security accreditation, known as the ISO27001, from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) – an independent, non-governmental organisation for international standards in areas such as quality, health and safety, IT security, energy, and environmental management.

It’s not easy to achieve but it’s an important one for hospital trusts and manufacturer partners as it demonstrates that data security is taken seriously by the business. And this will strengthen Alcura’s position when submitting tenders. It’s also the team’s third ISO accreditation as they already have the Quality Management (ISO9001) and Environmental Management (ISO14001) certifications.

Commenting on the team’s latest achievement Simon Jones, Head of Homecare and Secondary Care, says: “We work very closely with the NHS and a number of hospital trusts, and support over 34,000 homecarepatients. We have a special responsibility to look after our patients and we take protecting their data seriously. I’m very proud of the team for attaining this endorsement as it’s one of the hardest to achieve.” 

Alcura’s work on data protection was also acknowledged in 2019 as they won an internal WBA award for a data privacy project with Boots, which enabled HIV patients to collect their medication anonymously.

Walgreens Boots Alliance and McKesson Complete the Formation of German Wholesale Joint Venture

Joint venture demonstrates innovative strength of two companies with impressive and trusted healthcare heritage in the German wholesale market

Deerfield, Ill. and Irving, Texas, Nov. 2, 2020

Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) and McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) today announced the completion of their previously announced agreement to create a joint venture combining their respective pharmaceutical wholesale businesses in Germany, Alliance Healthcare Deutschland (AHD) and GEHE Pharma Handel (GEHE). WBA holds a 70 percent controlling equity interest in the joint venture and McKesson holds the remaining 30 percent interest.

“At Walgreens Boots Alliance, we all look forward to working together with McKesson Corporation on this joint venture,” said Ornella Barra, co-chief operating officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance. “It is a very exciting step for our Pharmaceutical Wholesale Division and a unique chance for us to further develop innovative services to manufacturers and pharmacists in Germany.”

“The completion of this strategic partnership with Walgreens Boots Alliance enables us to strengthen and secure the future of pharmaceutical distribution in the German market,” said Kevin Kettler, chairman of the management board and president McKesson International. “Together, we look forward to delivering a successful model of operations to benefit the German healthcare ecosystem of patients, pharmacies and manufacturers.”

With future challenges in the healthcare sector, the new company is committed to strengthening the pharmacist's position as a healthcare professional, creating innovative added value services and significantly enhancing digitalisation and operational excellence.

Class 3 recall - Alfad 0.25 Microgram Capsules

Further to Drug Alert EL (20)A/46 issued on 29 September 2020 Theramex Ireland Ltd T/A Theramex HQ UK Ltd has informed us of an issue related to error in the decommissioning of a further batch as listed above. Upon decommissioning at the pharmacy and when scanning the serialised 2D code, the status of packs may report as ‘EXPORT’. Although there is no risk to product quality, any remaining stock should be quarantined and returnedThe affected products' details are as follows:

Please note that Alliance do not stock the above products therefore we are not accepting returns on this recall.

For stock control enquiries please contact Theramex HQ UK Ltd Customer Services Team on 020 3962 5532.

For medical information enquiries please contact Theramex HQ UK Ltd Medical Information Department on 033 3009 6795.

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

Alliance Healthcare to Reduce Single-Use Plastic by 60% in Three Years

Alliance Healthcare in the UK has announced its promise to reduce single-use secondary plastic within the business by 60% within three years, as part of its “Getting drastic with plastic” campaign. The plastics saving initiatives have been live within the business since 2019 and even the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have not stopped progress.

Alliance Healthcare UK recently started to roll out new reusable tote bins to replace plastic bags and cardboard packaging to its Health and Beauty customers, as part of the initial initiatives to reduce plastic. Julian Mount, Managing Director said: “We recognise that as an industry leader we must pioneer the way in reducing our impact on the environment. Our three year plan will entail an ambitious 35% reduction of single-use plastic secondary packaging by September 2021.”

The work being carried out across the entire workforce includes: removal of invoice bags, switching to paper bubble wrap and investment in reusable totes.

Jon Cornforth, Environment, Health and Safety Manager says: “Every year, over 2 million units of single-use plastic bags and cardboard boxes will be removed from our operations, considerably lessening Alliance Healthcare’s carbon footprint.”

To date, Alliance Healthcare UK has already saved over 39 tonnes and by the close of fiscal-year 2021 will have saved 131 tonnes. The aim is to have reduced the overall use of single-use secondary plastic by an impressive 60% by September 2022.

Alliance Healthcare UK team members will mark the launch of the “Getting drastic with plastic” campaign with installations at each of its 14 Service Centre sites across the UK, where colleagues can learn about the promise and get involved with the local initiatives whilst also considering their own day to day behaviours that may impact the environment and making a commitment to the planet. The installation will be produced from completely plant-based materials to go along with the ecological theme of the action.

COMPANY LED - CLASS 2 RECALL Class type: Company Led

Precautionary recall following mould being identified in a few jars of each batch.

The affected products' details are as follows:

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

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

Company Led Drug Alert Optiray 300mg & 350mg I-Ml Solution For Injection Class type: Company Led

Guerbet Laboratories Limited is recalling the above batches of products as a precautionary measure due to reports received from healthcare professionals on the difficulties in attaching the Luer lock adapter to the Luer tip of the pre-filled syringe and tubing catheter. In some cases this has resulted in leakages of contrast media during use.

The affected products' details are as follows:

Alliance do not stock these products and therefore we are not accepting stock returns.

For medical information and stock enquiries, please contact Guertbet Laboratories Limited on Tel: 01217338542

E-mail (medical enquiries): uk.sales@guerbet.com and Krupa.mehta@guerbet.com

Email (stock enquiries): uk.sales@guerbet.com

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

Alphega Pharmacy Launch Patient App with Healthera

Alphega Pharmacy has launched a new app, developed in conjunction with Healthera for its network of over 1,000 pharmacy members. The patient-facing app, which is available to download to any mobile device, is designed with the patient in mind, as more and more people turn to digital solutions to fulfil their prescriptions and other healthcare service requirements.

The Alphega Pharmacy app uses the UK’s market leading technology platform for patients and pharmacies. The app offers a seamless digital patient experience, enabling Alphega Pharmacy members to compete with the ever growing list of competitors who offer a digital service for prescription ordering.

The impact of COVID-19 has changed shopper habits with more and more people now using digital channels to shop online or engage with their healthcare services. Shoppers have made on average 51% fewer trips to the high street post-lockdown than they made in the weeks pre-lockdown*. All four big online pharmacy chains (Boots, Well, Echo, Pharmacy2U), have seen significant increases in electronic prescription service (EPS) items claimed in the period of March to May 2020**.

The app provides the Alphega Pharmacy member with a turn-key solution to support them in the ever changing landscape of independent pharmacy and the members also receive preferred rates because they are part of the Alphega Pharmacy network.

The key features of the app include:

• Repeat Prescription Ordering – immediate access to over 8,000 GP surgeries (IM1 integration, NHS Email and Fax) for patient initiated ordering.

• NHS Email ordering - available for patients in Wales or Scotland, or without an NHS Linkage Key.

• Pharmacy chat – speak directly with customers through your online portal built into the app.

• Service booking – patients are able to view the NHS and Private Services offered by the pharmacy and book appointments.

• Broadcasting – send notifications / messages to all customers who use the app.

Other features include: online payments, ‘Carer’ mode allowing family members to manage medicines for their relatives, prescription tracking, real time patient messaging and co-branding opportunities to help re-inforce loyalty.

Raj Nutan, Head of Alphega Pharmacy UK said: “This is a great opportunity for our members to offer a first class digital experience to their patients.

The app provides a leading digital customer service offering to really drive retention, cultivate loyalty and grow additional revenue. Healthera are market leaders in this field and were an obvious choice for us to work with in developing the Alphega Pharmacy App. We are very excited to see how the app can really support our members and their patients.”

Quintus Liu, Chairman and CEO of Healthera said: “We are very happy to be working with Alphega Pharmacy as partners on this project. It’s great to see that Alphega Pharmacy realise the huge benefits of offering the patient app to their members, therefore driving the digital agenda in the field of independent pharmacy. As a business we have seen how the app can not only help support pharmacies drive revenue through dispensing volume growth, but also significant time savings in pharmacy of an average of around 105.5 hours per year via Rx orders going through the app rather than on the phone, emails or tokens***”

To find out more about the patient app, or about how Alphega Pharmacy can help Independent Pharmacy businesses call: 0203 044 8969 or email: membersupport@alphega-pharmacy.co.uk 

Field Safety Notice Activheal® Hydrogel 8g

AMS has identified that due to a tube quality issue that was determined during the manufacturing process, the sterility of a small number of the Affected Tubes may have been compromised. Investigations have determined a potential root cause and AMS are confident that the quality issue only affects the Affected Tubes and is not present in other batches of the ACTIVHEAL® Hydrogel product

The affected products' details are as follows:

This is an NWOS only recall and Alliance will not be accepting stock returns. Please contact Advanced Medical Solutions for further information

For further information regarding this Field Safety Notice Please contact Teresa Starkey at Advanced Medical Solutions. Email: Teresa.starkey@admedsol.com Tel: +441606 545617

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

If you have any questions, then please contact your local Service Centre Customer Services team

Class 2 Recall on Epilim 500mg Ec Tabs

Sanofi is recalling the above batches of product as a precautionary measure due to out of specification results for disintegration test during routine stability testing.

If you have any questions, then please contact your local Service Centre Customer Services team.