I’ve just got off the phone from Advanz customer care. I spoke to Pratik (02085889273).
He said that there is plenty of supply of Mercury Pharma and he asked that any pharmacy that is having problems can call him direct about ordering. He said ( I’m only quoting him) . There is no supply issue 🤷♀️
Also that MP has NOT gone into administration 🤷♀️
So there it is ……apparently
Advanz Customer Care 0208 588 9273 Pratik.
Written by
SarahJane1471
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The underlying story - that numerous pharmacists say there are supply issues with a company's products - is common enough.
Also common is that if you actually contact the company, they either say there is no issue, or advise how pharmacists can obtain product, if they are having issues.
Unfortunately we hardly ever get to the bottom of the issue - the reason pharmacies seem to have failed to supply the product we need. I have often suspected distributor issues.
PS: I feel it best if someone who is actually having issues rings the company. Someone like me ringing would not be able to supply details. Which pharmacy. What area of the country. And so on.
I think each pharmacy uses its own distribution company ( I’m guessing that) so if they contact Advanz directly can they order from them without having to use their distributors?
However, there is a major confusion as to whether the company names listed in the BNF are of manufacturers/importers - or distributors.
For example, for 12.5 microgram tablets, five company names are listed. But there is only one product - that from Teva. In this case, I guess Teva themselves import it from their manufacturing plant in Croatia then send some on to each of the other four companies.
As I move around, I very often see AAH vans delivering medicines to pharmacies. They are a part of the group that own the Northstar brand and Lloyds pharmacies.
Alliance is part of the group that owns Boots pharmacies.
But getting to understand how they actually work isn't easy for outsiders.
You can view or download a list of all registered wholesale and distribution companies:
But that doesn't help much as there are hundreds of entries, and some companies are registered multiple times. And I think even if you only have a tiny operation, you need to be registered.
I suspect that there are issues such as some companies only dealing with certain geographic regions. Or even the need to have more than one route of distribution for resilience.
Each pharmacy will need to have an account with each company they deal with.
I'd be very happy if anyone could explain how the whole system works!
Yes I also called MercuryPharma and got the same positive response. Only called because when I was going to pick up my usual repeat prescription....the usual story "out of stock" which of cause is not true but so infuriating.
Unfortunately I’ve been unable to get throughout that number or others very similar which all seem to be part of the Mercury Pharma group in ADDISCOMBE, Croydon. The answerphone message ( which is the same for all the numbers I tried) ask you to continue to hold as they’re very busy than after a few minutes of music, a voice mail message cuts in and promptly cuts you off. I’ve left messages which have never been replied to either!. Certainly no sign of Practik!
Interestingly I tried phoning Advanze directly in Jersey, surprise surprise it’s the same number as Mercury Pharma ADDISCOMBE!
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