Five suppliers of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom joined with the Proprietary Association of Great Britain — the country's trade association of OTC suppliers — to start an e-commerce Web site for use by retail pharmacists.
CoMedis.com lets pharmacies order over-the-counter medicines as well as nutritional and health and beauty products. Prescription products will not be sold. In addition to online ordering of products, pharmacies can access product information from suppliers, including promotional offers.
The suppliers that participated in the site launch are Crookes Healthcare, the UK division of Boots Healthcare International; Johnson & Johnson MSD; Novartis Consumer Health; Pfizer Consumer Health and Roche Consumer Health. Other suppliers are expected to join the site.
There is no charge to pharmacies or suppliers to participate.
PAGB said the site should be especially useful for independent pharmacies, offering them a wider choice of healthcare suppliers. Other benefits include the ability to set up preferred wholesalers, a stock planning tool and access to product information that can be used to train staff.
