DEMAND SURGES FOR SPECIAL OBTAIN ITEMS

A significant increase in demand for unusual and difficult to source products among pharmacists has been reported by a leading unlicensed medicine manufacturer.

 

Since the introduction of its ‘Special Obtains’ service six months ago, The Specials Laboratory has experienced a sharp rise in pharmacies opting to use the service as opposed to utilising dispensary resource to source items that are not regular lines and often not stocked by mainline wholesalers.

 

As a result of the trend, the Northumberland-based company, which is primarily an unlicensed medicines manufacturer, has introduced numerous new lines to help cope with pharmacists’ additional requirements to meet specific patient needs.

 

The special obtains service was launched to minimise time spent in the dispensary by pharmacists trying to track down infrequent, low-volume and new products that are not readily available.

 

Sharon Griffiths, managing director at The Specials Laboratory, said: “We have certainly seen a shift over the past few months in pharmacists deciding to outsource unusual prescription queries to eliminate wasted time spent on the phone searching for such tricky to obtain items.

 

“Whether it’s just growing awareness of such a service or the evolving nature of the modern pharmacy, it is difficult to tell at this stage. Nevertheless, as a result of increasing enquiries, we have secured a strong network of supply partners to ensure we can source as many products as needed,” added Sharon.

 

Items being sourced by pharmacists include gluten free products, colostomy and ostomy lines, homeopathics, dressings, cover creams, vitamins, appliances and dermatology products such as silk vests.

 

A support offering to its market-leading specials manufacturing supply, the award-winning firm introduced the service to help reinforce its position as the supplier to meet one-off patient needs as quickly as possible.

 

The Specials Laboratory now looks after thousands of pharmacy and hospital customers across the UK and Ireland, delivering over 90% of unlicensed medicines in 24 hours.

 

It recently unveiled its new website www.specialslab.co.uk created to provide a knowledge-bank for all things relating to specials and special obtains to support pharmacists.

 

The company employs around 135 staff across its three MHRA-licensed sites and was recently shortlisted again for as a finalist for the North East Manufacturer of the Year Award across Northumberland & Tyneside.

 

www.specialslab.co.uk / www.twitter.com/specialslab

For further information, images and interview opportunities, please contact Raman Sehgal – raman@ramarketingpr.com