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Phoenix has said its new depot in Aberdeen will improve its supply of medicines to pharmacies but insisted its opening was prompted by a desire to offer “exceptional service to its growing customer base” rather than help tackle medicines shortages in Scotland.

Phoenix told Independent Community Pharmacist the depot will serve all its customers in Scotland “which are not limited to just Numark and Rowlands”. There are 746 Numark and 75 Rowlands pharmacies in the country.

Announcing its opening this month, the wholesaler said the depot was “a direct response to the increasing demand for our services and the need to support our growing network of healthcare professionals and patients”.

Medicines shortages have been a problem in Scotland for some time. Community Pharmacy Scotland has gone on record as saying “as all pharmacy teams will be aware, shortages are unfortunately a common occurrence and have been for many years”.

During a survey by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland in June last year, nearly nine in 10 GPs said shortages of prescription medicines were “severely hampering their ability to practice safely”.

Phoenix, however, said it was “not aware of stock shortages in Scotland or elsewhere” and insisted the new depot will improve its “logistical capabilities” and allow it “to serve customers with even greater efficiency”.

“The opening of the Aberdeen depot represents our continued dedication to supporting the healthcare sector in Scotland,” Phoenix said.

“By expanding our footprint, we can better meet the needs of healthcare providers, ensuring they have consistent access to the medications and supplies they need to deliver exceptional standards of care to their patients.”

When asked how the new depot will improve the supply of medicines to pharmacies, Phoenix said: “It has a larger capacity in terms of cold chain and ambient stock for direct ordering from the local depot, minimising the need for work to be switched to a larger site and be transported between sites resulting in a quicker delivery service.”