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Note: tranexamic acid; Boots Pharmaceuticals Cyklo-F Heavy Period Relief
Meda's decision to supply its newly switched tranexamic acid brand solely through Boots was less than popular in some parts of the community pharmacy sector. Zoe Smeaton asks why Meda agreed the deal and what it means for everyone else
When the news came out last month that tranexamic acid would only be available as a P medicine through Boots pharmacies, many people in the community pharmacy sector were, not surprisingly, unhappy to hear it.
Last year the MHRA hailed the switch of the medicine - which is being sold as Boots Pharmaceuticals Cyklo-F Heavy Period Relief 500mg tablet - from POM to P as "an important step for women". But just how big a step can something only available from one pharmacy company be?
While some readers backed the deal, other comments on C+D's website called it "restrictive". Numark's director of commercial operations Raj Nutan said its independent pharmacy members were "annoyed", and Cambrian Alliance was shocked by the news.
Such responses are predictable in a competitive market, but there are some arguments that aren't just businesses speaking. Mr Nutan points out that it...