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Pharmaceutical strategy: GIRP submitted their comments to the public consultation. GIRP cal ed to
recognize the key role of the full service healthcare distributors in the EU legislation. Al Member
States do not have full line wholesalers on their territory. GIRP also called for streamlining full
licensing systems of the Member States across the EU. Moreover, financial sustainability is crucial as
profit margin is very low. GIRP asked to eliminate any restriction to parallel exports and to
encourage multimarket packs. This would facilitate the sales of medicines across the EU.
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COVID-19 vaccines:
worldwide supplier for healthcare distribution, offered to support
the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines based on the long standing experience in distribution of
healthcare products. The company Mc Kenson has invested in IT system to supply to industry and
consumers, contingency plans and allow to deploy medicines in short notice and according to strict
temperature controls. Mc Kenson wil contribute to the distribution of vaccines in the US and would
be very wel prepared for the EU . It may cover vaccines, PPP gloves or syringes. GIRP would also like
to contribute if ECDC is drafting a guideline on the distribution of vaccines in the EU;
- COVID-19 crisis: GIRP members ensured the supply of healthcare products during the entire crisis.
Nevertheless, Member States restricted the distribution of medicines. They also had problems with
the distribution of medicines in certain restricted areas during the lockdown. GIRP asked to be
recognized in al Member States as a critical activity to ensure continuity of supply and have access
to protective equipment. The green lines were enforced in some Member States. Wholesalers can
also introduce emergency stocks at the request of the authority. GIRP asked to be invited in the
weekly call with the Commissioner when discussing shortages.
EC confirmed that access and affordable medicines will be addressed in the pharmaceutical strategy and
shortages of medicines will also be addressed in the package dealing with the crisis strategy and the
lesson learned from the crisis with more coordination at EU level..
Commissioner confirmed her availability to do a video message for the annual conference and accepted
to invite GIRP in the meeting with industry.