Omnicell, a provider of medication management solutions and adherence tools for health systems and pharmacies, has appointed Edward Platt as the new senior commercial director of its UK community pharmacy division. This role expands on his current leadership remit for Omnicell’s UK & Ireland hospital division.

Mr Platt will be responsible for increasing Omnicell’s footprint of automation and consumable solutions delivered into UK community pharmacies, while leading a revamped commercial team.

“The market is constantly evolving, and we believe there is scope to better deliver on the needs of community pharmacists by developing dedicated specialist teams,” said Mr Platt. “Faced with funding cuts, staff shortages, rising costs, increased demand and the continuing growth of mail-order pharmacies, community pharmacists are facing a myriad of challenges just to survive.”

Specialist teams will focus on small independents and small multiple operators, with dedicated colleagues managing Omnicell’s major multiple, national chain and buying group relationships. This will help ensure the differing needs and challenges across the sector can be fully understood and supported. 

Kath Hughes will be managing national chains and buying group relationships as senior national sales manager. Tariq Hussain will take on the role of national strategic account manager, responsible for major multiple operators.

Three new regional sales managers will also support the needs of more than 400 small multiple pharmacy businesses: Adrian Hall will focus on sales in the northern region; Francesca Down will be covering the midlands; and Karam Jain will be covering the south.

“Community pharmacies need to make tangible changes to their operating models, and we see the adoption of automation as key in helping them evolve into sustainable and successful businesses,” said Mr Platt. “With our new and repurposed team, we are fully committed to supporting community pharmacists and helping them to realise the benefits of harnessing technology.

Louise Langton and Helen Grace will focus on supporting the needs of small independent pharmacies. Gary Paragpuri, who joined Omnicell in 2022 as part of its acquisition of Hub and Spoke Innovations, will continue to support the UK team in his role as business development director.

For more information, please visit www.omnicell.co.uk or email: [email protected]