Mandeep Mudhar, Head of Alphega, speaks with P3 Pharmacy Magazine

Mandeep Mudhar, head of Alphega Pharmacy, tells Arthur Walsh about the ways the network helps its members thrive.

Independents are living through a time of uncertainty, Mandeep Mudhar tells me. Head of Alphega Pharmacy since 2021, he says member businesses are facing the same headwinds as the rest of the sector: “cash flow, remuneration, dispensing at a loss – the whole funding structure and the uncertainties it creates”.  

Drug Tariff clawbacks are a particular headache. “Every business needs to be able to forecast and tell themselves: this is what my turnover looks like, this is what my costs look like. When you haven’t got that certainty, it creates a huge moment of challenge. You still need cash to pay the bills and the salaries.” 

On top of that, the sector has been set the task of reorganising its workflows from top to bottom: “Pharmacies are asking, how can I juggle my time and my team’s time in delivering services without dropping the ball in terms of the core, which is dispensing.” 

The growing membership organisation – “we’re now just over 1,450 members” (around 500 more than three years ago) – tries to give independents tools to cope with the pace of change. For example, Alphega business mentors might recommend carrying out a ‘time motion’ study to assess what staff are doing when – including owner pharmacists. 

Happily, Mudhar says, the sector is largely open to the new opportunities. As supervision regulations change, he finds that some members are spending almost the whole working day in the consultation room delivering services. “A few years back, they would have said I’m spending the majority of my time in the dispensary because that’s where I need to be.” 

Credit: Arthur Walsh, P3 Pharmacy Magazine

Read the full story here: Championing independents: Mandeep Mudhar, Alphega Pharmacy

Beckside Pharmacy visit with Kerry Ellis, Alphega business mentor

Kerry Ellis discovers what one village pharmacy reveals about the power of support…

In a village like Thornton-le-Dale in Yorkshire, community pharmacy isn’t an abstract concept, it’s personal. It’s the cornerstone of the community, the place to turn to when you are unwell, unsure or in need of professional healthcare advice.

Beckside Pharmacy, led by Barbara Obasi, is exactly that kind of place. But behind its smooth-running exterior lies a pharmacy that balances exceptional patient care with the growing demands of running a modern healthcare business.

It’s also where everyday moments of care surface, like conversations with regular customers such as Sue, a valued member of the community who knits bonding squares and blankets for premature babies in intensive care at a local children’s hospital.

Sue’s knitting helps mothers stay connected to their babies when physical closeness isn’t always possible. Mothers wear the squares before swapping them with their babies, helping with bonding, lactation, and comfort.

“It’s a pleasure to do it,” Sue says. These are the kinds of quiet acts of care that pass through a community pharmacy: small, human moments that rarely make headlines but matter deeply to the people involved.

Behind this calm, familiar setting, Beckside Pharmacy also carries the less visible pressures shared by many independent pharmacies. Alongside patient care sits the realities of rising costs, workforce challenges, evolving NHS expectations, and patients with increasingly complex needs.

Running a modern pharmacy now requires clinical expertise, business acumen, and resilience in equal measure. When the Alphega Pharmacy team visited Beckside a few months ago, they weren’t there to impose a template or deliver a one-size-fits-all solution.

They were there to listen, to understand how the pharmacy operates and what support is genuinely useful. That visit offered a clear lens on what effective support for independent pharmacies can look like in practice.

What makes Beckside a useful case study is not that it faces different challenges, but that it shows what can happen when support helps pharmacies manage complexity without disrupting what already works.

Access to business guidance helps translate day-to-day challenges into manageable decisions, supporting sustainability while keeping patient care at the centre.

Training and clinical service development resources allow pharmacies like Beckside to grow their services with confidence, particularly in communities where access to other healthcare providers may be limited and the local pharmacy plays an increasingly central role.

What stands out is how understated the impact is. There’s no sense of reinvention or loss of identity. Beckside Pharmacy still feels like a local constant, shaped by long-standing relationships and familiar faces.

That continuity is evident in relationships with locals like Sue. The support around the pharmacy hasn’t changed its character; it has helped preserve it.

Looked at more broadly, this reflects a wider reality for independent pharmacies. Keeping up with policy changes, service expectations, and regulatory developments can be demanding, especially for small teams.

Access to shared knowledge, peer experience, and timely information can reduce isolation and make change feel more manageable.

Kerry Ellis is an Alphega business mentor.

Neil Scobie, head of Alphega Member Offer and Engagement, speaks with Independent Community Pharmacy

Independents should look at what they are doing well, what they shouldn’t be doing, what opportunities they have missed and new ideas they can incorporate into their business, says Neil Scobie.

Strategic mentorship has moved from being a ‘nice to have’ to an essential component of profitable and sustainable pharmacy performance. Alphega business mentors play a critical role in helping pharmacy owners navigate this complexity.

Their support begins with a structured review of pharmacy performance, enabling owners to step back from day-to-day firefighting and take a strategic view of their business.

These reviews provide an objective assessment of what is working well and where improvements are needed, creating a foundation for informed decision-making.

A key element of this is a SWOT analysis. By examining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, mentors help members translate performance insights into practical goals for the year ahead.

Deliver the greatest impact for patients

This approach ensures that planning is grounded in reality rather than aspiration alone. It also helps pharmacy owners prioritise their efforts, focusing on areas that will deliver the greatest impact for patients, teams and business sustainability.

However, strategy is only as effective as the people delivering it. Workforce challenges remain one of the most significant barriers to pharmacy progress and many owners struggle to assess whether their staffing model is truly fit for purpose.

Alphega’s business mentors can help members to address this through the Alphega staff profiling tool, which provides a clear view of staffing levels and skill mix. This enables pharmacy owners to understand whether they have the right number of people, with the right capabilities, to deliver their ambitions.

Importantly, this is not simply about reducing costs. It is about aligning roles, responsibilities and skills to the services a pharmacy wants to provide.

A business aiming to expand clinical services, for example, requires a different staffing profile to one focused primarily on dispensing efficiency. By using data rather than instinct, mentors help owners make confident, evidence-based workforce decisions.

Efficiency is another area where targeted mentorship can deliver meaningful gains. The business mentors are well placed to advise on operational improvements, including pharmacy layout, workflow and the distribution of tasks within the team.

In collaboration with the central team, they can identify changes that improve productivity, enhance patient experience and reduce unnecessary pressure on pharmacists and staff.

Digital tools also play an increasingly important role in driving efficiency and compliance. Mentors can guide members on the effective use of Alphega’s digital solutions, such as SOP Manager, MHRA Manager and Team Manager. When used properly, these tools support consistent standards, simplify governance and free up valuable time for patient-facing activity.

Beyond internal systems, Alphega members also benefit from access to a range of externally provided solutions at preferential rates. These include online controlled drug registers, NHS prescription ordering apps and 24-hour prescription collection points.

Mentors help pharmacies understand which of these solutions are appropriate for their specific circumstances, ensuring technology is adopted strategically rather than reactively.

Ultimately, the value of the mentors lies in their ability to connect insight with action. By combining performance review, strategic planning, workforce analysis and operational efficiency, they help pharmacy owners move from surviving to thriving.

Neil Scobie is head of Alphega Member Offer and Engagement.

Source: Independent Community Pharmacist, Magazine (February 2026) and online : Business spotlight: Assess your performance

Tonia Antoniazzi MP visited Cencora’s Swansea service centre

On Wednesday 18 February, 2026, Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Swansea, visited the Cencora Alliance Healthcare Swansea Service Centre, accompanied by team members: Chris Martin, Non-Executive Advisor, Paul Davies, Warehouse Ops Manager, and Carl Evans, Loss Prevention Manager. She gained insight into the vital role we play in the UK’s pharmaceutical supply chain and had an up-close look at our colleagues in action.

During the visit, Tonia also took part in in-depth discussions with the team, highlighting our essential function in ensuring that pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers across the country receive the medicines and healthcare products they need efficiently and reliably.

Tonia also had the opportunity to meet employees across the site, learning firsthand about the dedication and care involved in day-to-day operations. As demand for healthcare services continues to grow, ensuring these systems remain efficient is more important than ever and is at the heart of what we do. Tonia’s visit and her conversations with the team demonstrate her commitment to understanding the challenges and advancements within this essential sector and we are looking forward to continuing to work with her.

Thank you to all that made the visit a success.

Pharmacist Support launches 2026 Student Bursary Scheme with continued support from Alliance Healthcare

Pharmacist Support, the profession’s independent charity dedicated to championing the wellbeing of pharmacy students, trainees and pharmacists, is proud to announce the launch of its 2026 Student Bursary Scheme, supported by Cencora Alliance Healthcare.

Now in the third year of this valued partnership, Cencora Alliance Healthcare’s continued support ensures that pharmacy students facing unexpected challenges during their MPharm that have impacted them financially can access vital financial help at a critical point in their studies.

The Student Bursary Scheme will open to applications on 2 February 2026 and close on 20 April 2026. It offers awards of £3,000 or £5,000 to MPharm students entering their final year in September 2026 who have experienced an unexpected challenge that has had both a personal and financial impact since starting their degree.

A scheme with lasting impact

For more than a decade, the Student Bursary Scheme has quietly but powerfully changed lives. Since the scheme began in 2014, and up to 2025, 103 bursaries have been awarded, totalling £332,000, helping students stay on their courses, complete their degrees, and move forward into the profession.

Demand for support continues to grow. In the most recent scheme year, all 28 fully accredited pharmacy schools in GB agreed to take part, with 88 applications received from students across 24 universities—a clear reflection of both the need for, and trust in, the scheme.

Behind every application is a student with a story. One of those students, Sofia*, shared how the bursary became a turning point during an incredibly difficult time in her life:

“I was facing a set of circumstances that would have been impossible to overcome without financial assistance. I am a single mother of 2 babies and I lived on one side of this country and my university was on the other side. I had just gotten divorced and following that, I became homeless and was really struggling financially and even emotionally. I had no idea how I was going to make it work financially. This bursary has relieved so much of the burden that I was carrying alone on my shoulders. I don't know how I would have been able to finish my degree without the bursary and therefore I was facing the very real and heartbreaking possibility of being left without the qualifications I needed to become a pharmacist. As far as the impact it has had, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this bursary has altered the trajectory of my future and of course the futures of my 2 toddlers. They will get to see their mother graduate this summer thanks to this bursary. Isn’t that amazing?”

A partnership built on shared values

Pharmacist Support and Cencora Alliance Healthcare share a commitment to supporting the next generation of pharmacy professionals, not just academically, but as people navigating real-life challenges.

Danielle Hunt, Chief Executive of Pharmacist Support, said:

“Students are the future of our profession, and too many face unexpected hardship that puts their studies, wellbeing, and confidence at risk. This bursary scheme is about more than financial support—it’s about belief, reassurance, and helping students stay the course. We are incredibly grateful to Cencora Alliance Healthcare for standing alongside us for a third year and helping us make this life-changing support possible.”

Marie Evans, Managing Director of Cencora Alliance Healthcare UK, said:

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Pharmacist Support and to support the Student Bursary Scheme for a third year. Pharmacy students are facing increasing pressures, and we believe it’s vital to help remove barriers that could prevent talented individuals from completing their training and entering the profession.”

Applications now open

The 2026 Student Bursary Scheme will be open to students at fully accredited pharmacy schools from 2 February to 20 April 2026. Full details, eligibility criteria, and application guidance can be found at: https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/student-experience/bursary-scheme/ 

Cencora Alliance Healthcare Raises Over £30,000 for Charities at annual Sports & Family Fun Day

Cencora Alliance Healthcare has raised over £30,000 for Cancer Research UK, Theodora Children’s Charity and Action Medical Research following its 2025 charity Sports Championship & Family Fun Day event.

Team members, friends and families joined the event located in Manchester and Wimbledon, to compete in competitive 5-a-side football tournaments and a charity netball match versus Theodora Children’s Charity.

Ellen Blessington, Communications Manager and Senior Fundraiser, Theodora Children’s Charity said: “We were delighted to once again be a part of this amazing event and play in the netball competition! Cencora Alliance Healthcare has supported the wellbeing of thousands of children living with illness by helping our Giggle Doctors bring music, magic, silliness and laughter to help improve children's hospital experience by reducing stress and anxiety and creating opportunities for play. Myself, along with Isabel from our Programme Team and Dr Fancy Pants had a fun filled day meeting all of the players, their families, and everyone that took part. Thank you so much for your kind support of our Giggle Doctors, Action Medical Research and Cancer Research UK, as we all work to help create healthier futures!”

Check out our 2025 Championship highlights video below 👇

Cencora Alliance Healthcare stand at The Pharmacy Show (UK)

The Pharmacy Show, the UK's largest trade show and education conference for the community and primary care pharmacy sector, once again brought the industry together in a vibrant celebration of innovation, learning, and collaboration.

Cencora team members proudly secured stand G35 with a vibrant Cencora Alliance Healthcare stand this year. The event saw over 8,500 healthcare and pharmacy professionals in attendance. With 300 exhibitors and more than 150 educational sessions led by over 200 speakers, it was a hub of ideas and insights designed to shape the future of pharmacy.

For Cencora, this year’s Pharmacy Show was particularly special. It marked our first time exhibiting in 12 years and served as the perfect stage to unveil our fresh branding. Our new identity—Cencora—represents our unwavering commitment to keeping the patient at the centre of everything we do, with ‘Cen’ symbolising the centre and ‘cora’ representing the heart. Our stand embodied this evolution, showcasing our expanded services and dedication to empowering pharmacy professionals. 

As part of our return, we proudly sponsored the Pharmacy Owners Forum, a cornerstone of the event that provided invaluable guidance on key topics such as revenue generation, expanding private services, and practical business advice. The forum also explored blueprints for business expansion, administrative and legal essentials, advertising strategies, weight management services, and understanding the rights and obligations of pharmacy owners. These sessions were designed to arm attendees with the tools and knowledge they need to grow their businesses and thrive in an ever-changing industry.

Among the many highlights, Mandeep Mudhar, Head of Alphega Pharmacy (UK) led a session on “The Importance of Creating Efficiencies and Headroom in Your Pharmacy”. His talk resonated deeply with attendees, offering actionable strategies to streamline operations and create space for growth in a demanding healthcare landscape.

Over the course of the two-day event, we engaged with an incredible number of visitors, capturing over 195 pieces of feedback and hot leads. It was inspiring to see so many healthcare professionals stopping by our stand to share how much they enjoy working with us and to discuss how we can continue to support them in delivering exceptional care to their patients. 

The Pharmacy Show was not just an event - it was a moment of transformation, connection, and inspiration. For Cencora, it reaffirmed our mission and strengthened our resolve to be a trusted partner for the pharmacy community. As we look to the future, we are more committed than ever to driving innovation, supporting growth, and keeping the heart of healthcare - our patients -at the centre of all we do.

Cencora Alliance Healthcare – Wholesaler of the Year Award by Pharmacy Business

Pharmacy Business – the voice of community pharmacy, announced Cencora Alliance Healthcare the inaugural winner of the Wholesaler of the Year Award (2025).

The Pharmacy Business Awards, celebrating 25 years of excellence took place on Friday 3 October, at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London. The evening, enjoyed by hundreds of talented healthcare professionals, celebrated the very best in community pharmacy, as well as recognising organisations that support healthcare in the UK.

Paula Sutherland, Sales Director, Cencora Alliance Healthcare took to the stage on behalf of the business to receive the award, presented by Kalpesh and Shailesh Ramniklal Solanki, Group Managing Editor and Executive Editor, Pharmacy Business.

Reflecting on the award, Marie Evans, Managing Director and SVP said: "This is a wonderful recognition of all the teams hard work and commitment. This award from the pharmacy industry demonstrates our progress in listening to our customers to deliver the service that they deserve.”

Paula soon returned to the stage to present the Enterprise Award, sponsored by Cencora Alliance Healthcare, recognising the pharmacy with the most enterprising venture in any area of pharmacy.

The winner was Muhammad Shuaib of Biddulph Pharmacy: Innovation and thinking outside the box are the winner’s forte, which they demonstrated by identifying local healthcare gaps and developing practical, innovative solutions. When the nearby town had no Sunday pharmacy provision despite a minor injuries unit and out-of-hours prescribing, he partnered with a taxi firm to run a free shuttle service.

Congratulations to all the award winners on the night.

Cencora Alliance Healthcare Returns to The Pharmacy Show 2025 as Sponsor of The Pharmacy Owners Forum

We are excited to announce that Cencora Alliance Healthcare will be attending the Pharmacy Show 2025 as the official sponsor of The Pharmacy Owners Forum - a new, dedicated theatre designed to support and empower pharmacy owners. This partnership highlights Cencora Alliance Healthcare’s commitment to shaping the future of pharmacy and providing valuable insights to pharmacies within the sector. 

More Than Just a Wholesaler

Cencora, formerly known as Alliance Healthcare, rebranded in 2025 to adopt the name Cencora Alliance Healthcare, uniting all its healthcare services under one powerful global brand. This new rebrand represents a shift towards greater innovation, and collaboration within the pharmacy landscape. With a commitment to supporting pharmacies and healthcare professionals, Cencora Alliance Healthcare offers tailored healthcare solutions that enhance patient care. Their expansive network reaches over 110,000 points of care across 11 countries, making them an invaluable partner, backed by a wealth of expertise.

Meet Cencora Alliance Healthcare This October

Join us at Stand G35 during the Pharmacy Show 2025, where you can meet the team in person. Take this opportunity to discover how their innovative solutions are helping shape the future of pharmacy and how their rebrand to Cencora marks the next step in delivering impactful healthcare solutions. Don't miss the chance to engage with their experts.

Register Today

Secure your free two-day pass* now and start planning your visit to the Pharmacy Show.

REGISTER YOUR FREE TICKET - CLICK HERE

*Free to attend for UK-registered healthcare professionals.

Cencora Teams Raise £15,000 for Charity in Race the Sun Challenge!

Race the Sun Cheddar Gorge Challenge 2025 ☀️

Teams from Cencora Alliance Healthcare and Cencora Alloga have successfully raised and donated £15,000 for Action Medical Research following the Race the Sun Cheddar Gorge Challenge 2025 involving 30 team members from across the business. 

Participants pushed their limits in a day-long challenge involving:

    - 30 mile cycle (2,000 feet elevation) 🚴

    - 6 mile hike (1,200 feet elevation) 🚶

    - 1.2 mile canoe 🛶

All in the breathtaking surroundings of Cheddar Gorge in Somerset! On an extremely hot day (33.C) – really feeling the sun in the Race the Sun Challenge. All team members completed safely and were determined to reach the finish line to support vital medical research that saves children’s lives.

Action Medical Research is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to funding research to help sick and disabled babies, children and young people. For over 70 years, the charity has played a crucial role in driving medical progress, supporting research into rare and complex conditions that often receive little funding. The charity’s research has helped develop both the polio vaccine and ultrasound scanning in pregnancy, changing lives worldwide. 

Sam Unsworth, Head of Communications and RTS Challenger at Alliance Healthcare, said: “It was amazing to be part of a day filled with such strong team spirit and shared purpose. We’re so proud to be contributing to research that’s making a real difference for children and their families.” 

Lucy Holloway, Corporate Partnership and Event Management Executive, Action Medical Research said: “We are immensely grateful for the continued support of Alliance Healthcare UK. The funds that have been raised will go a long way in facilitating change for these children’s lives through important medical research.” 

The Race the Sun Cheddar Gorge Challenge 2025 showcased not only the physical endurance of the Alliance Healthcare and Alloga team members, but also the unwavering commitment to building a community united in supporting healthier futures through charitable fundraising and collective action.