John D'Arcy NPA Chief Executive comments:

"The key issue for the NPA, and will always be, is that our members can meet patients needs. They need to be sure that medicines distribution is effective. What we feared is that Pfizer's decision would open the flood gates to similar schemes, the AZ decision means we are now seeing that 'copycat' activity across the industry - how many more different distribution schemes will follow? Our members will now have another layer of administration to deal with, distracting them from patient care. We would also disagree that with AZ's assertion that "choice is maintained", with only two wholesalers included choice is definitely reduced. This is a further nail in the coffin for the smaller wholesalers."

"It's also interesting to note that Pfizer's reason for introducing a Direct to Pharmacy scheme, stopping counterfeits, is absent from AZ's reasons for change."

"We look forward to discussing this proposal with AZ and hope that this will be well in advance of a final decision on the detail of this scheme."

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