GSK launches e-commerce platform for vaccines and pharmaceuticals
Simpler and faster ordering and contracting for vaccines;
Streamlined contracting process for pharma customers
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Responding to customer needs, GSK announced the launch of a proprietary e-commerce platform, GSKDirect, to speed up the contracting process for its vaccine and pharmaceutical businesses and to enhance the ordering capabilities for health care providers who purchase vaccines directly from GSK. Qualified health care providers will be able to pre-book flu vaccine for the 2016-17 season, register for a GSK vaccine and/or pharmaceutical contract, and place vaccine orders directly on the site.
"For the growing number of large hospital systems that order both vaccines and pharmaceuticals, GSKDirect will be a timesaver," said Jamey Millar, Senior Vice President, Managed Markets & Government Affairs. "GSKDirect improves the customer experience and helps ensure our high-quality, patient-focused products reach a variety of customers, from large hospital systems to small independent physicians. Securing a contract with better prices now takes minutes compared to days and can be done on a single site with full customer visibility."
To continue adapting to the changing needs of diverse customers in the US marketplace, GSK made a significant investment to build the new platform, which was developed with strategic technology partners and extensively beta-tested with real customers. GSKDirect's ease of use and streamlining is also expected to add value to GSK's sales-force.
"The launch of GSKDirect -- 8 months after the close of the Novartis transaction – demonstrates our commitment to our vaccines customers," said Patrick Desbiens, Senior Vice President and head of US vaccines business unit at GSK. "We built this site with real-time customer input. This 'one-stop-shop' platform will streamline the delivery of our wide portfolio of high-quality vaccines, and we hope customers benefit as they pre-book for next year's flu season."
GSKDirect simplifies the contracting process for both vaccines and pharmaceuticals, enabling health care provider customers to register for contract pricing for all 220+ of GSK's licensed pharmaceutical and vaccine products. The contract pricing for these products can then be easily accessed through our authorized wholesaler/distributor network.
GSK continues to offer customers a choice regarding their purchase method for vaccines. Customers may choose to purchase GSK Vaccines from a network of authorized Wholesalers and Distributors or direct from GSK via GSKDirect. For customers who prefer to purchase directly, the site allows qualified health care providers to purchase any of GSK's 18 licensed vaccines, including quadrivalent flu shots. With a more intuitive, user-friendly design the site features simplified ordering for all types of vaccines, streamlined shipping capabilities, and more advanced discounts and savings capabilities.
Last year GSK had more than $1.5 billion in net sales in its US vaccines business. Through the third quarter GSK has sold more than 22 million quadrivalent flu doses to the US marketplace compared to 15 million doses last year. This flu season GSK switched to 100% supply of the quadrivalent vaccine, first registered in 2013-14 to provide broader coverage against four viral strains rather than the standard three.
GSK – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com.