For 4 years Lloyds Pharmacy have processed and delivered my repeat prescription. I use NovoRapid flex pen and until recently have had no complaints. However, for the last year my pharmacy have not bought Novorapid pens straight from the manufacturer, but instead have used various wholesale companies known as parallel import/distribution and re-packaging companies. The insulin pens have been bought cheaply from another E.U. country, then imported, re-packaged, and distributed by this third-party across the U.K.. I have received opened, tatty boxes containing individually re-labelled grubby-looking pens! How can the correct storage conditions be ensured and surely there is a huge risk of contamination with the excess transportation, opening of boxes and handling of pens? When questioned the pharmacist told me that these "parallel importers" are used when there is a national shortage of a medicine.Is this true, is there a national shortage of NovoRapid pens or a shortage of cheap NovoRapid pens? I now use a different pharmacy who do use parallel importers when needed, however assures me my pens will not look grubby or come in opened tatty boxes! Time will tell!?!
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