APSM

During the COVID-19 outbreak, APSM members are taking all appropriate measures to ensure the continuity of supply of specials medicines to community pharmacies, dispensing doctors and hospitals.   Specials manufacturers are a vital part of the pharmaceutical supply chain, responsible for around 50,000 unlicensed medicine prescriptions for vulnerable patients in England each month.  The Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers represents around 80% of specials manufacture in England and its members are maintaining safe practices and committing to the ongoing fulfilment of all orders from their pharmacy customers throughout the pandemic. As specials are often prescribed to patients in vulnerable groups including the elderly, paediatrics and those with chronic health conditions, it has never been more important that these patients’ essential medication needs are met in a timely way.  Where possible, our members are continuing to meet thei...

What to look for in a Specials Manufacturer For anyone looking for a Specials supplier, this article in Independent Community Pharmacist gives some useful advice.  Sourcing Specials Or you can check out the information on our APSM website which lists the quality criteria required of holders of an MHRA specials manufacturing licence.  It also includes some of the additional services provided by APSM member companies. APSM website

The Specials Market in primary care was just over £ 80.5 million for the 12 month period Oct 15 - Sep 16.  Although the market continues to decline year-on-year, it is now stabilising following a period of readjustment in the wake of the Specials Tariff in November 2011.  During this time the mean cost per item has reduced from £180 per item before the tariff in Nov 2011, to an average £116 for the same 12 month period to Sep 2016. Whilst this represents value for money to the NHS, at the same time the high standards of quality involved in Specials manufacture have needed to be maintained.  According to the Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers, APSM, members report continued investment in infrastructure and quality processes to meet the increasing regulatory demands required by the sector. To reflect the increased complexity of the market, l ast year (2016), the Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers, APSM, decided to broaden its mem...