The Healthcare Distribution Association (HDA) represents those businesses who supply medicines, medical devices and healthcare services to patients, pharmacies, hospitals, dispensing doctors and the pharmaceutical industry. HDA members operate across the four nations of the United Kingdom, enabling a safe, efficient and high-quality supply chain for the healthcare sector. Our members distribute over 92% of NHS medicines and provide wholesaling services including working capital, stock management and IT systems to their supply chain partners.

Good distribution practice is of prime importance in achieving the safe and secure supply chain that HDA companies play a vital role in. Our members adhere to the highest standards in medicines distribution, setting the benchmarks for our sector.

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Our Members

The HDA has three levels of membership: Full, Affiliate, and Associate.

AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Alliance Healthcare
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co. Ltd
Phoenix Medical Supplies Ltd
Bestway Medhub
Sigma Pharmaceuticals Plc

Meet The Team

Martin Sawer, Executive Director

Martin Sawer, Executive Director

Martin leads all HDA activities. He is responsible for delivering the Association’s strategic aims and for cultivating key stakeholder relationships. Martin also represents the HDA on the Managing Board of the European Healthcare Distribution Association (GIRP).

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Jeremy Main, Independent Chair

Jeremy Main, Independent Chair

Jeremy works closely with the HDA Council and Executive Director to identify future strategic challenges to the sector, whilst addressing immediate issues such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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John Preston, Regulatory and Development Director

John Preston, Regulatory and Development Director

John is responsible for shaping regulatory policy, coordinating with industry, government and regulatory colleagues to facilitate best practice. John chairs the Supply Chain Resilience, Regulatory Liaison Group and Regulation Strategy Group.

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Will Browne, External Affairs Director

Will Browne, External Affairs Director

Will oversees the HDA’s political and media activity and the Association's strategic aims. He manages the HDA Council and its Economic Affairs Committee.

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Emma Kassim, Policy and Media Officer

Emma Kassim, Policy and Media Officer

Emma is responsible for the HDA bulletin and supporting the HDA’s political and media activity. Emma also manages the HDA's Net Zero Working Group.

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Our History

The Healthcare Distribution Association can directly trace its origins all the way back to the London Wholesale Drug and Chemical Protection Society, established in 1867. This group was largely comprised of multiple chemists, and subsequently broadened into The Drug Club in 1891. This forerunner organisation of both the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the HDA governed relations with raw drug suppliers and brokers. Indeed, over the following years we can see how both Associations have common and overlapping origins and roots, reflected even today in the HDA’s thriving Associate Membership, many of whom are also ABPI and BGMA members.

From Factory to Pharmacy

As part of our mission to build awareness, understanding and appreciation of the vital importance of the healthcare distribution sector, we developed an infographic explaining the availability of medicines. It identifies the factors that can impact drug supply, as well as the measures that HDA members undertake day in, day out to help mitigate the risks of patients not receiving their medicines.

See the Infographic

Apply to become a Member

Membership of the HDA guarantees your organisation:

  • Access to leading policy and industry forums of debate and discussion
  • Invitations to a range of networking industry events organised through the year, including an Annual Conference and a Business Day
  • Representation on HDA working parties, including the Members’ Liaison Group
  • A daily Political and Media Bulletin and HDA Newsletters
  • Access to HDA policy documents and all sections of the HDA website
  • Branding and marketing opportunities
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