Are UniChem rationing stock?

[bobbin]

We've had numerous UniChem invoices lately where it has stated RESTRICTED SUPPLY next to certain Roche products and we haven't received any stock.........or in some cases we've received fewer packs than we ordered. Examples include Xenical and CellCept. Normally, the reason for not receiving any stock has been because UniChem do not have any but now it seems that UniChem might be rationing their supplies. I appreciate that rationing may be necessary in some cases but I can only hope that stock is being rationed appropriately. UniChem say that Roche do not allocate them adequate quantities of stock. Roche claim that they do....but I find this difficult to believe, particularly with regard to CellCept.

Has anyone else noticed that UniChem appear to be rationing?

I wonder whether UniChem are rationing stock to Boots?

[Sir_Dispensalot]

with regard to cellcept, i spoke to roche the other day. they promised me that 250 boxes of cellcept 500 were en route to the aah warrington depot. upon contacting the depot i was informed that only 150 boxes arrived.

[laura/nottingham]

I have heard that Boots stores get priority of stock. As they are apart of each other now. Unichem now being called Alliance Healthcare.

[Zoggite]

There is some rationing going on, but wholesalers don't call it that, they call it "Quota supplying": find out about it here: Manufacturer Quota Schemes Funding & Drug Tariff PSNC
This page also tells you how to obtain supplies of Cellcept & Orlistat even if Unichem tell you they don't have any.
And if you're still having problems, don't forget to complain to the PSNC via their feedback form: Feedback Form Funding & Drug Tariff PSNC

[JonF]

Xenical were being rationed last week by the Preston branch to 8 packs a week to each pharmacy. Cellcept are a nightmare to obtain as are Zyprexa. I have had to go direct to manufacturer with these for all my recent orders.

[bobbin]

with regard to cellcept, i spoke to roche the other day. they promised me that 250 boxes of cellcept 500 were en route to the aah warrington depot. upon contacting the depot i was informed that only 150 boxes arrived.

They've said similar things to me. Considering how many pharmacies an AAH or Unichem depot supplies, it's not surprising that they run out of stock - the allocation of 150 or 250 boxes is supposed to last a whole week .......but it rarely does.

Bobbin

[bobbin]

There is some rationing going on, but wholesalers don't call it that, they call it "Quota supplying": find out about it here: Manufacturer Quota Schemes Funding & Drug Tariff PSNC
This page also tells you how to obtain supplies of Cellcept & Orlistat even if Unichem tell you they don't have any.
And if you're still having problems, don't forget to complain to the PSNC via their feedback form: Feedback Form Funding & Drug Tariff PSNC

Thanks Zog. I've used Roche's emergency supply arrangements quite a bit. It's generally an easy service to use - which is a good job considering how difficult it is to obtain some of their products from wholesalers. Certain other manufacturers emergency supply arrangements are significantly less user-friendly.......normally involving a lot of faxing and other nonsense that we don't have time for!

Bobbin

[bobbin]

I have heard that Boots stores get priority of stock

That's what I was wondering. Don't know whether it's true though.

[bobbin]

Xenical were being rationed last week by the Preston branch to 8 packs a week to each pharmacy. Cellcept are a nightmare to obtain as are Zyprexa. I have had to go direct to manufacturer with these for all my recent orders.

I've photocopied some of Lilly's fax forms for ordering Zyprexa and I've printed out some of UDGs Keppra forms from the PSNC website.

Did UniChem tell you over the phone that you could only order 8 packs per week? When I called them about it the woman at customer service didn't seem to know anything about it.

We dispense loads of Xenical so it's not something we can afford to run out of.

Bobbin

[JonF]

Did UniChem tell you over the phone that you could only order 8 packs per week? When I called them about it the woman at customer service didn't seem to know anything about it.

Yes, was told this by lady on customer services