Alliance Healthcare UK and Alloga UK celebrated for ‘Outstanding Response to COVID’

Alliance Healthcare and Alloga in the UK were the proud recipients of the Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Response to COVID at the Logistics UK Awards 2021. 

The onset of COVID-19 meant quick thinking and rapid action to ensure the supply of medicines to the NHS and UK patients did not falter. Colleagues from across Alliance Healthcare and Alloga worked tirelessly to ensure the stock of medicines was maintained across the UK.

This special award was open to an individual or organisation who demonstrated an outstanding response to the pandemic in 2020 within the logistics sector.  To enter this award, the company had to demonstrate how it led a class-leading response to COVID-19, how this was achieved and the outcome that followed.

Marie Evans, who was recently announced as Alliance Healthcare’s new Managing Director, said: “I am delighted that our business and team of 6,000 colleagues have been recognised at this level for our contribution to the fight against COVID-19. Our main aim over this unprecedented period is to support the NHS, pharmacy and all UK patients, and this award is true recognition for all of that hard work and dedication.”

Chris Williams, Managing Director at Alloga UK, added: “It is fantastic news that the joint efforts of the Alloga and Alliance Healthcare UK teams has been recognised with this special award from Logistics UK. Significant efforts were and are still required to increase the overall level of responsiveness to support the NHS and the patients that they serve.

“I am very proud of the tireless efforts of our colleagues who have generated exceptional results supporting the fight against COVID-19.”

Alliance Healthcare UK appoints Marie Evans as new Managing Director

Alliance Healthcare UK, the leading wholesaler of healthcare products, has announced that from today, Marie Evans will be its new Managing Director. Marie, who is Alliance Healthcare UK’s current Commercial and Category Director, brings a wealth of customer, leadership and retail experience to the role. Marie said, “I am delighted to be appointed Managing Director at Alliance Healthcare UK. In the ten years I have spent here, I have seen our business grow to become the major wholesaler and distributor in the UK.  That success is down to our terrific team and the unwavering commitment we have shown to strive to meet the needs of our customers and patients.”

Marie will report to Juan Guerra, Alliance Healthcare’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director of International Wholesale. Juan Guerra said, “The last 18 months has shown just how important wholesale and distribution is to the NHS and I am so excited to welcome Marie to her new position at this critical time. Her experience and leadership will be key as we continue to evolve our services in response to the changing needs of pharmacy, the health service, and industry.

Marie will succeed Julian Mount, who has made the decision to leave after five years in charge. As part of a planned transition Julian will remain as an Executive Advisor, supporting Marie in her role.   

“During Julian’s time in charge, Alliance Healthcare has continued its growth as a significant provider of valued services to the NHS and UK healthcare industry, along the way he has transformed our relations with upstream and downstream customers and the UK Government, and introduced Alliance Healthcare’s new digital platform” said Juan Guerra, “I thank Julian for his commitment and contribution and wish him well.”  

Alliance Healthcare Announce Sustainability Pledge to Achieve Net Carbon Zero

Alliance Healthcare has committed to become net carbon zero by 2030 (scope 1 and 2).

Alliance Healthcare, the UK’s largest pharmaceutical wholesaler has announced its pledge to be the sustainable wholesaler partner of choice for the healthcare industry as it shows its support for the global efforts to cut carbon emissions, as set out at the recent UN Climate Change Conference, COP26.

Earlier this year, Alliance Healthcare’s parent company - AmerisourceBergen committed to Science Based Targets and announced an interim target which the Alliance Healthcare UK business will be supporting. Alliance Healthcare UK’s pledge follows its ongoing dedication to create healthier futures and the business has set out its focus for the years ahead. Julian Mount, Managing Director, Alliance Healthcare UK said: “Caring for the environment and the world we live in is extremely important to Alliance Healthcare. We all have a duty to do whatever we can to tackle climate change and strive to meet the global targets.

“This is why it is so vital that we make this pledge and work hard to meet the commitments and targets we have set to achieve by 2030. I firmly believe that by working in partnership with industry partners and supporting their commitments as well as our own ensures we are all on the same path in our mission to tackle climate change.

“By 2030, Alliance Healthcare UK will be the most sustainable independent full-line pharmaceutical wholesaler in the UK - ensuring that we remain the sustainable partner of choice for our customers and manufacturers, a huge achievement for us and a step closer towards creating a healthier future for all. Today everyone at Alliance Healthcare is encouraged to make a personal sustainability pledge on our internal pledge trees, as we all continue to play a personal role in this commitment.”

Find out more about our sustainability journey so far here, and our Environmental, Social and Governance programmes here.

Alphega Pharmacy Members Take Home Much Deserved Trophies at the C+D Awards for Outstanding Support They Bring to Community Pharmacy

The prestigious Chemist and Druggist Awards finally returned last week to a face-to-face ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel in London, to recognise and celebrate the very best in the pharmacy industry. We are so delighted for three of our Alphega Pharmacy members who took home well-deserved Awards last Friday, for their outstanding work and vital support they bring to community pharmacy.

Congratulations to Lewis Pharmacy, Exmouth who walked away with the Training and Development Award, for the innovative Let’s Communicate Cancer programme, an e-learning portal to help equip pharmacy professionals with the tools and confidence to help patients on their cancer journey. The team also received a high commendation in the Independent Pharmacy of the Year category.

Dr Jackie Lewis had the following to say on this triumphant achievement: “It’s amazing to win an award and be recognised for all the hard work we put in. After a few difficult years in pharmacy and the current climate to also come out as highly commended in Independent Pharmacy of the Year on top of this is such a morale boost to the team and to share this with them is incredible.  To win the Training and Development award I am blown away. This win is going to be amazing for the publicity of this programme as we are looking at up-skilling the whole of community pharmacy with it. This programme will assist them with the early diagnosis of cancer to help their cancer patients and ensure they get the help they need.”

The ‘Let’s Communicate Cancer’ programme is an engaging e-learning portal for community pharmacy professionals, giving them access to real life case studies, slide shows, bit-sized quizzes and animations in order to give an entire pharmacy team the confidence, skills and knowledge to better help a cancer patients’ journey – from early diagnosis all the way through to treatment. 

Mandeep Mudhar, Head of Alphega Pharmacy UK had the following to say on the recent win: “I’m delighted to see Lewis Pharmacy recognised twice at the C+D awards. Jackie works tirelessly to champion the support and expertise community pharmacists can give to their patients and carers dealing with cancer, and this is on top of the numerous pharmacy services that Lewis Pharmacy offers – the consultation room in Lewis Pharmacy is never quiet!  A massive congratulations to Jackie and the whole team at Lewis Pharmacy.”

The E-learning module for the Let’s Communicate Cancer Programme can be accessed by pharmacy teams at https://www.bopa.org.uk/cancer-elearning-for-community-pharmacy-lets-communicate-cancer/.

A further congratulations goes to two fantastic Alphega Pharmacy members, firstly James Tibbs, AR Pharmacy for picking up the Community Pharmacist of the Year Award, which praises his community focus, strong business acumen, and commitment to patient care. Last but certainly not least, Landys Chemist in North-West London who were awarded with the Independent Pharmacy of the Year Award for their sharp focus on sustainability and plastic free approach to pharmacy.

Alliance Healthcare would like to congratulate our remarkable Alphega Pharmacy members for their outstanding work and commitment to community pharmacy.  

Alliance Healthcare partners with Novo Nordisk for the launch of PenCycle; the circular recycling initiative

Alliance Healthcare UK is delighted to collaborate with Novo Nordisk to help reduce plastic pen devices entering UK landfills by up to 1.1 million in the next year.

Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company specialising in treatments for people living with diabetes, obesity, and rare blood and endocrine disorders, has launched PenCycle; the circular recycling initiative for pre-filled diabetes and weight management pens. As a partner organisation, Alliance Healthcare will be delivering all the materials needed to recycle the pre-filled injection pen devices, including a blue PenCycle Recycling Bin, PenCycle Return Boxes and other support materials to Community pharmacy. These materials are being provided completely free of charge by Novo Nordisk. 

A first-of-its-kind in the UK, the PenCycle Pilot has launched across Greater Manchester, Leicestershire & Rutland, and Greater Glasgow and Clyde, ahead of a planned national roll-out next year. Selected pharmacies in these areas have been invited to participate to show their support towards the environmental target, and upon sign up of the scheme, will play a big role in helping to reduce waste and advance the sustainability agenda of community pharmacy.

Skills in Healthcare has led participation in the project on behalf of Alliance Healthcare, from initial discussions with Novo Nordisk to the official launch which happened on 1st November. Skills in Healthcare will now support pharmacy engagement and on boarding of pharmacies to the scheme.

Paul Fowler, Head of Skills in Healthcare, presented at the launch event and said: “We are delighted to be partnered with Novo Nordisk, supporting the design and delivery of the PenCycle Recycling Pilot within a pharmacy setting. The process has been designed to be simple to manage and allows a pharmacy to participate by using all the systems and processes they are already familiar with. It provides their patients with a new pharmacy return option and supports them to recycle their Novo Nordisk Insulin pens. I hope all the pharmacies in the pilot areas will participate and help make PenCycle a real success story. “

As a central point of care, community pharmacies will be key to the success of this forward-thinking initiative, and Alliance Healthcare are delighted to play a part of it.

Pharmacies located in the relevant pilot areas are encouraged to join the scheme by visiting: https://www.alliance-healthcare.co.uk/pencycle.

For more information, you can contact the Skills in Healthcare PenCycle team at: PenCycle@skills-in-healthcare.co.uk

About Skills in Healthcare

Skills in Healthcare is a contract sales and marketing business that provides customers with flexible and cost-effective solutions to realise retail pharmacy potential. With over 70 years’ experience in retail pharmacy, Skills in Healthcare provides a wide range of services including dynamic sales support, training, consulting, call centre and branding support.

To find out more visit: https://www.skills-in-healthcare.co.uk/

Alliance Healthcare Celebrates Diwali

At Alliance Healthcare, we recognise Diwali as part of our continued commitment to help make all team members feel part of a diverse and inclusive workplace, as we showcase the colour, vibrancy and excitement of Diwali.

Julian Mount, Managing Director calls for a time for reflection in the current ‘Shining a light for Diwali’ article by Pharmacy Business.

A time for reflection: Julian Mount

“Diwali is a time for celebration, and a time for reflection. It is important that we take a moment to stop and enjoy Diwali, and to recognise the incredible dedication and commitment each pharmacy team member has shown to UK patients and our society, during these difficult times.

“Your unwavering resilience in the fight against Covid-19 is something all those in community pharmacy should feel extremely proud about. At Alliance Healthcare, we recognise Diwali as part of our continued commitment to help make all team members feel part of a diverse and inclusive workplace, as we showcase the colour, vibrancy and excitement of Diwali.

Julian Mount, managing director, Alliance Healthcare

“My teams are encouraged to dress in their traditional clothing and share their stories, as together, we mark this special occasion. In the world’s largest Diwali celebrating community – India, Alliance Healthcare has supported the AWARE Foundation and Vitamin Angels charities, with their efforts to reach children in deprived communities throughout India and beyond, to not only eliminate malnutrition but to transform their lives for the better.

“I would like to personally thank you for your passion and care in everything you all do for our society. I wish you all a Diwali that brings happiness, prosperity and joy to you, your teams and all your loved ones.”

You can read the ‘Shining a light for Diwali’ article by Pharmacy Business here:

https://www.pharmacy.biz/long-read-shining-a-light-for-diwali/

Championing Community Pharmacy

Julian Mount, Managing Director, Alliance Healthcare joins industry leadership panel to discuss the future of pharmacy at the Pharmacy Business Conference 2021.

When asked about how community pharmacy can build on the current public goodwill rating, Julian highlighted the great work done by community pharmacy, but also the need going forward for a joined-up approach when lobbying for further support: “I have been blown away by the effort everyone has put in during the COVID crisis, the trust score really highlights what is happening at grassroots level. When I see the passion, drive, and energy, it has been phenomenal” Julian went on to add: “What needs to happen next is we need to see a united, more data driven unified approach to make the government sit up and listen and further support community pharmacy to allow them to take advantage of the great work done throughout COVID -19.”

We’ve created a 10-minute highlights video from the event that can be seen below.

Alliance Healthcare supports the AWARE Foundation at annual Golf Day event

As part of our continued efforts to help young people, our team recently supported the AWARE Foundationwith its annual Golf Day event at Langley Park Golf Club. The AWARE Foundation helps disadvantaged, vulnerable children in India by providing them with an education to transform their lives for the better.

The event saw 120 delegates take part in the golf tournament where 32 teams competed to win numerous categories, in an effort to help raise much needed funds. Alliance Healthcare supported the fundraising event by donating prizes that were put into the evening raffle and auction. Ashley Kilgas, Sales Director represented the business, saying “It’s great to be back attending these charity events to support an amazing cause. We have a fantastic relationship with the AWARE Foundation, and I am excited to see how our partnership will grow even stronger.”

The golf day was a huge success and raised an incredible £28,682. Jayesh Patel, Founder/Managing Trustee of the AWARE Foundation commented: “AWARE helps thousands of children each year, and this is only possible because of the dedicated support that we have - Alliance Healthcare being one of our most fundamental ones. So thank you so much again for your support, and we look forward to working with and seeing you all again soon.”

To find out more about the AWARE foundation, you can click the following link here.

Sobha Kandel wins Pharmacy Innovation Award, sponsored by Alliance Healthcare at Independent Community Pharmacy Awards 2021

The Independent Pharmacy Awards, run in association with Independent Community Pharmacist magazine, once again shone a light on the brilliant work of community pharmacy teams.
 
The event drew an audience of MPs, leading figures within community pharmacy and pharmaceutical industry executives who heard about the innovative work going on within the sector.

Julian Mount, Managing Director, Alliance Healthcare and other senior managers from across the business attended the awards held at the House of Commons last Friday afternoon. Alliance Healthcare were the official sponsor of the Pharmacy Innovation award category. 

Sobha Kandel, who runs Woolwich Late Night Pharmacy won the Innovation Award after her hotel COVID - 19 quarantine service caught the judges’ eye. The service is run in conjunction with Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group and Ms Kandel's pharmacy supplies OTC and prescription medications to patients isolating in the hotel. She has an exclusive contract in her area for the service and works with the GP practice.

When presenting the award, Julian said: “This has been a very challenging year for all of community pharmacy, and to be able to recognise Sobha’s achievement to continue to innovate within her community despite these challenges, is a remarkable achievement” 

Congratulations again to Sobha and her team on winning the award. To find out more information about the other award winners click here.

AmerisourceBergen Supports Global Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines

Through its network of global businesses and capabilities, AmerisourceBergen has supported the delivery of more than 75 million COVID-19 vaccines across 30-plus countries

Conshohocken, Pa. (October 6, 2021) –  As part of efforts to securely deliver COVID-19 vaccines to countries worldwide, AmerisourceBergen’s network of global businesses has supported the collective distribution of more than 75 million vaccines across 30-plus countries.

Since December 2020, Innomar Strategies and World Courier, both a part of AmerisourceBergen, have worked with various government agencies and supply chain partners to deliver COVID-19 vaccines across the world. During the same timeframe, Alliance Healthcare—which AmerisourceBergen acquired in June from Walgreens Boots Alliance—has supported vaccine distribution efforts across Europe. The collective distribution support spans four continents and includes a wide range of services, from third-party logistics (3PL) and importation to temperature-controlled packaging, storage, and transport.

“We are incredibly proud of the support our teams continue to provide to enable reliable access to COVID-19 vaccines around the world—from islands off Norway to remote regions in northern Canada. However, we know the global vaccination rollout is still in its early stages and a tremendous amount of work is still needed to ensure people worldwide have access to these vaccines,” said Doug Cook, EVP and President, Business Group—Global, at AmerisourceBergen. “As supply increases, we remain prepared and ready to leverage our logistical expertise and distribution capabilities to support urgent efforts to broaden access globally.”

To date, AmerisourceBergen’s distribution efforts include:

• Alliance Healthcare, a leading wholesaler of healthcare products, and Alloga, its healthcare logistics provider, have distributed more than 40 million COVID-19 vaccines across Europe, including deliveries in England, Spain, France, Czech Republic and Lithuania. In collaboration with the National Health Service (NHS), Alliance Healthcare UK and Alloga UK have delivered about 25 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to nearly 1,500 sites across England. Alloga Spain, which has participated in regional and national distribution efforts, has delivered 14 million COVID-19 vaccines, while Alliance Healthcare businesses in France and Czech Republic along with Armila UAB, Alliance Healthcare’s wholesale business in Lithuania, have distributed millions of vaccines across the three countries. Team members across Europe, including Boots pharmacies in Norway, have also supported vaccine administration efforts.

• Innomar Strategies, in collaboration with the Government of Canada and FedEx Express Canada, has distributed more than 22 million COVID-19 vaccines to provinces and territories across Canada. In its role, Innomar stores new shipments of COVID-19 vaccines in temperature-controlled units inside its GMP-compliant distribution center in Ontario, where teams perform the required quality assurance services, including physical inspection and identity confirmation. Teams then place the vaccines into validated cold-chain packaging solutions that protect the product integrity throughout the shipment, enabling reliable and secure distribution.  

• World Courier, a global logistics provider, has supported the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 30 countries worldwide—from South Africa and South Korea to Germany, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden. The business has deployed a wide range of services to support deliveries, including cold chain packaging, like Cocoon, and smart-monitoring tools that deliver real-time data and provide proof of shipment stability. Leveraging its global network and innovative packaging solutions, World Courier has supported last-mile deliveries to points across the globe—from areas with limited cold chain infrastructure to remote islands only accessible by boat. The business is also providing transport and storage services to support clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines and therapies.  

“As a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler and logistics provider in Europe, Alliance Healthcare has been working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the supply chain and ensure access to critical pharmaceutical products,” said Juan Guerra, SVP and Managing Director at Alliance Healthcare. “Since the first COVID-19 vaccines became available, we’ve been able to leverage our best-in-class distribution capabilities to support reliable, secure and efficient deliveries throughout Europe.”

The ongoing distribution support is part of urgent efforts to deliver COVID-19 vaccines across the world.

As of late September, about 44 percent of the world’s population had received at least one dose of a vaccine. However, only two percent of people in low-income countries have received a dose.

In addition to supporting global vaccine distribution efforts, AmerisourceBergen has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to distribute COVID-19 therapies that have been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). In collaboration with the U.S. government and a manufacturer partner, AmerisourceBergen also facilitated the urgent transportation of COVID-19 therapies to India in May. For more information about how AmerisourceBergen is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit: https://www.amerisourcebergen.com/pharmaceutical-distribution/coronavirus-covid-19-information.