Tamro’s supplies to pharmacies and other outlets have returned to normal after the spike in demand. Further, orders placed by pharmacies have returned to normal level. The temporary supply challenges during the last two weeks were caused by a sudden spike in demand, due to consumers purchasing exceptionally large quantities of medicinal products to prepare for coronavirus. The increase in demand especially affected analgesics (painkillers) and antipyretics (fever medicine).
The coronavirus caused a historically high spike in demand. To ensure availability of medicinal products in pharmacies and hospitals, we needed to resort to temporary arrangements during the last two weeks. Securing regional and equal availability of pharmaceuticals was especially important to ensure patient
safety. Our actions have been in line with the decision from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health regarding prioritisation of pharmaceuticals (19 March 2020).
The demand spike in pharmacies and subsequent volume growth in Finnish pharmaceutical distributors was a new and very suprising event for all parties involved. We at Tamro always strive to put patient safety first and therefore, prioritising pharmaceutical deliveries was extremely important to us.
- I want to thank the whole pharmaceutical industry and Finnish authorities for our close cooperation during the past weeks. These are exceptional times where flexibility, understanding, and team spirit is needed more than ever, says Anni Svala, Quality Director and Responsible Pharmacist at Tamro.
- The situation has also called for special effort from Tamro staff. I want to send my warmest thanks to all of our employees. It has been wonderful to see how committed, active, and responsible our staff has been in this challenging situation,” Anni Svala continues.
Government decided to restrict traffic between the Region of Uusimaa and other regions as of 28 March. The restrictions will be in force until 19 April 2020. The flow of goods is not prevented even during the new restrictions, which means that pharmaceutical deliveries continue normally. However, there might be some delays caused by the region border checkpoints. We have actively communicated towards the authorities to ensure prioritising pharmaceutical deliveries to and within Finland.
Pharmaceutical deliveries continue normally despite Uusimaa region movement restrictions
Government decided to restrict traffic between the Region of Uusimaa and other regions as of 28 March. The restrictions will be in force until 19 April 2020. The flow of goods is not prevented even during the new restrictions, which means that pharmaceutical deliveries continue normally. However, there might be some delays caused by the region border checkpoints. We have actively communicated towards the authorities to ensure prioritising pharmaceutical deliveries to and within Finland.