RETAIL/WHOLESALE

Berlin  -  The weak British pound puts the reimporters in Great Britain under pressure. In the past two years the kingdom has changed from an import to an export market,with severe consequences for the parallel importers: Their business has dramatically caved in. The industry is reacting with savings and redundancies – and hoping for better times.

"We are fighting for survival", Richard Freudenberg, head of the industry's association, told PHARMA ADHOC. In 2007 the sales volume still amounted to around 100 million pounds; now it has shrunk to 50 million pounds. There are no official figures concerning the number of employees that the 14 parallel importers have so far dismissed.

Admittedly, new chances could in theory arise for the parallel importers in the market, which is subject to a quota: When the pharmaceutical company Pfizer began to have its products delivered only by a particular wholesaler three years ago, the demand for imports actually increased. However, since manufacturers in other countries such as Greece and Spain also began to tighten the reins, purchasing has become significantly more difficult there. The weak pound is only worsening the situation.

The opinion in the industry is that a switch from import to export is also not a solution. Due to the measures imposed by manufacturers, the purchasing possibilities are limited, according to Freudenberg; it is difficult to even procure sufficient quantities.

According to information from the association head, the parallel importers are preparing for a barren spell, which could last at least until the end of the year. The enterprisers hope that together with the British economy, the pound – and thereby also import – will again pick up. After all, following the crisis in the 1990s, there was also a fast recovery.

Janina Rauers, Wed, Februay 24, 2010 10:15am CET