News
7 December 2006
EPF meets in Nottingham
On the first day, participants were welcomed to the Boots The Chemists Beeston site by Ornella Barra, Wholesale and Commercial Affairs Director, Alliance Boots, and Elvire Kuyck, EPF President. Ornella Barra reminded delegates of the origins of Boots, founded in 1849 by Jesse Boot, and stressed that today, Alliance Boots remains deeply rooted in independent pharmacy: “Nothing can shake our commitment to supporting and developing our partnership with you.” She went on to explain that Alliance Boots WSCA is currently studying the best ways to pass on the benefits of Boots’ product expertise and manufacturing capabilities to independent pharmacy – to help provide an even wider range of services to independent pharmacists.
EPF delegates were then given a tour of the Boots The Chemists Beeston site, its research centre and head office as well as the manufacturing plant. A gala dinner was held in the evening. During the dinner, Stefano Pessina (Executive Deputy Chairman, Alliance Boots), Richard Baker (Chief Executive, Alliance Boots) and Ornella Barra made a number of speeches focusing on the strong partnership which has developed between the Group and independent pharmacists. Richard Baker then made a warm and motivating address to delegates before giving a brief update on Group activities.
On day two, David Coles, Managing Director of UniChem (the UK wholesale division of Alliance Boots), gave a presentation on the developing role of virtual pharmacy chains in the UK market – as an excellent platform from which to manage future growth and change. He drew attention to increasing change in the UK market marked by factors such as growing consolidation (demonstrated by an increase in the number of chains and a fall in the number of independents), major cost pressures on the health system, the effects of the new Pharmacy Contract, and increased relaxation of regulations surrounding the legitimate practice of pharmacy. David then underlined the fact that independent pharmacies are liked by patients and customers and have strong buying power. Independents can benefit greatly from their association with Alliance Boots, he explained, through membership of its virtual chains.
David’s presentation was followed by a debate on the “New Model for Pharmacy and Distribution”, chaired by Elvire Kuyck - who began with an explanation of the new pharmacy model that is replacing the traditional manufacturer-distributor-pharmacy-patient organisation. She explained that the model now includes various competitors: hospitals, Internet, agents, home care and direct supply by manufacturers. The patient is not always able to choose the means of obtaining medicinal supplies and the increasing number of channels raises safety issues in relation to medicinal products. One solution to this lies in an integrated model, which could be developed in the near future. Such a model would enhance delivery efficiency, improve remuneration of the services provided to patients and customers and boost recognition of the pharmacist’s value.
Alison Richards, International Director of Retail Marketing, then gave a presentation on “Boots Products and Christmas Gifts” – focusing in particular on the product development expertise of Boots The Chemists. She emphasised the strength of the Boots product portfolio, concluding her presentation with consumer research demonstrating that Boots The Chemists commands a high level of customer preference across their health, beauty and toiletry product ranges –in terms of product choice and prestige. Elvire Kuyck then chaired a discussion of Boots The Chemists products and their potential for development in independent pharmacies across Europe.
The event was then formally brought to a close by Elvire Kuyck, who thanked all those in attendance and urged them to renew their efforts to meet the challenges ahead.
