Price-fixing papers

In the 1880s, Burroughs Wellcome & Co introduced a fixed trade list price for all their goods, to ensure retail chemists made an adequate profit and to prevent price undercutting. This was the first instance of a UK pharmaceutical firm taking such action, and was supported by chemists across the country. Burroughs Wellcome & Co required all firms who sold their goods to sign an agreement, a selection of which have been retained.

By 1899, however, chemists were becoming disheartened by the policy, claiming that it was no longer working in their favour. Chemists' Associations lobbied Burroughs Wellcome & Co for a change in policy, culminating in a series of meetings in the summer of 1906. New terms were negotiated, coming into effect in October 1906, that gave chemists an extra 5% profit.

1889-1907

3 boxes

Copyright assigned to the Wellcome Trust

Please see main WF collection description (ref. 'WF').