From June 1 pharmacies will be required to order ten products direct from Novartis after the manufacturer announced it would streamline its supply chain. Aclasta, Afinitor, Exjade, Glivec, Myfortic, Sandimmun, Sandostatin LAR, Tasigna, Tobi and Zometa will need to be ordered exclusively through the manufacturer’s Patient Priority Supply Service.

Novartis said the change would have “minimal impact on pharmacists” but would enable more effective management of stock of the medicines which represent less than one per cent of Novartis products dispensed by community pharmacy.

Pharmacists can contact Novartis customer services on 0845 741 9442 with any queries.