6.3.1. Product supply and sustainability

Product supply and sustainability is a general issue in the generic drugs business. Drug shortages are a big problem and with the help of the survey we understood, that customers really want to learn more and discuss about this topic.

During the last EAHP congress (European Association for Hospital Pharmacists) one of the most important congresses for the i. v. drugs business with exhibition area for pharmaceutical companies, Fresenius Kabi did not only participate in the industry exhibition, but also organized a symposium with the title “Drug shortages and ensuring the quality of medicine”. As the symposium was not only visited by congress participants, but also by representatives of FK competitors, this symposium was the perfect occasion for a subsequent discussion round. During this session, customers – mainly pharmacists – were able to discuss with representatives of different companies (provider of i.v. generics) about the serious problems of drug shortages and possible solutions.

A scientific coverage of the symposium was created, which summarized the major aspects of the symposium, like for example:

• Reasons of drug shortages
• Impacts of drug shortages
• The industry’s role in solving the problem
• The pharmacist’s role as well as the role of the official authorities

Re-prints distributed one week after the symposium to all delegates, who indicated their interest in this report by leaving an ‘interested’ message with a scan of their registration badge at the FK booth.

Also all regions were provided with reprints of the scientific coverage for future communication with their customers.