DDA24: Wholesalers seek end to paper CD requisitions

Electronic requisitions to be used for ordering CDs are among the longer-term asks of Government by healthcare distributors, the DDA24 conference was told.

Presenting on Hot Topics in Medicines Distribution, Healthcare Distribution Association UK Executive Director Martin Sawer highlighted the burdens on distributors as well as practices of ‘wet ink’ CD requisitions.

He told delegates that to change to electronic ordering would require wholesalers to link records to NHSBSA database and to keep electronic proof of deliveries (documents) of electronic sales records in line with current legislation.

Other current requests of Government include to develop workforce initiatives to address absenteeism following the Covid-19 pandemic, which left the industry with up to one in five posts absent.

The distribution industry chief also called for support of supply chain finances, highlighting increased late payment and debt defaulting caused by financial pressures in community pharmacies. He added that there was also a huge increase in hospital overdue debt since 2022, which was not being helped by archaic paper legacy payment systems.

The presentation also updated delegates on preparations for hub and spoke dispensing, which was due to be introduced from 1 January 2025, but which is now delayed. There was also an update on the distribution industry’s move towards Net Zero.

View the presentation.

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