Oriola has a critical role in pharmaceutical deliveries
18.3.2020
Due to the coronavirus, consumer demand for pharmaceuticals and the orders from pharmacies to pharmaceutical wholesalers have been on an exceptionally high level in Finland and Sweden. This has caused temporary challenges to pharmaceutical deliveries from wholesalers to pharmacies. However, delays in deliveries to pharmacies are a consequence of abnormally high order levels, not due to a shortage of pharmaceuticals. Currently, the stock situation is good, and pharmaceutical import is working normally.
To secure Oriola’s deliveries to pharmacies, hospital pharmacies and veterinarians, we have taken in use all our picking and delivery capacity. Additionally, we have increased our employee resources and operating time in our logistics. To secure the patient safety and responding to the guidance from The Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea, for the time being we prioritise deliveries of pharmaceuticals and other critical products to our customers.
Due to the situation, our Kronans Apotek pharmacy chain in Sweden has restricted the sales of painkillers to three packages per customer to ensure availability to as many customers as possible.
The situation of corona epidemic is changing fast around Europe. We are following closely the updates and instructions by the authorities in Finland and Sweden. Yesterday, on 17 March, the Finnish Government announced that there is a state of emergency in Finland. The aim is to protect the population and to safeguard the functioning of society and the economy. The Government has, for example, closed schools and strongly recommended to keep small children in home care.
Oriola has an important role in the society, as we distribute approximately half of the medicines in Finland and Sweden. Oriola is included in the list of critical industries specified by the Finnish Government. Therefore, our employees’ children are entitled to attend in school and day care to secure our employees' ability to work.
Further information:
Tuula Lehto, VP, Communications and Sustainability, tel. +358 40 5885 343, email. tuula.lehto@oriola.com
