Smartway Pharmaceuticals welcomed Paul Kohler MP to its headquarters in South Wimbledon in January 2026, where he spent time with senior members of our team discussing how we support access to medicines across the UK and internationally. The visit provided an opportunity to explore how Smartway operates across public and private healthcare systems, including the NHS, private hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and overseas customers.

The visit enabled discussion of the strategies, systems, and people that underpin Smartway’s role in addressing medicines shortages, navigating multi-jurisdictional regulatory environments, and maintaining continuity of supply. Mr Kohler also met with the team to discuss matters affecting the pharmaceutical sector more broadly, alongside local and constituency issues relevant to his role as a Member of Parliament.

Showcasing Our Medicines Supply Operations

During his visit, Mr Kohler met with representatives from procurement, regulatory affairs, logistics, and quality compliance. These discussions focused on the medicine shortages affecting the UK and other healthcare systems, the operational pressures these create, the impact on patients, and the proactive steps Smartway takes to mitigate supply gaps.

The team outlined how early horizon scanning, diversified international sourcing networks, and regulatory expertise enable Smartway to respond when traditional supply routes are constrained. Mr Kohler was taken through the practical steps Smartway deploys to identify alternative routes to market, work with trusted international partners, and ensure that regulatory compliance and product safety remain central at every stage of importation and distribution.

Global and European Supply Chain Capability

Smartway’s international footprint, including established supply hubs and distribution partnerships across multiple regions, was a key theme of the visit. The team shared how a diversified supply chain enhances resilience, enabling Smartway to support healthcare providers when domestic availability is under pressure.

In this context, Smartway discussed the role of established import routes from the EEA and other third countries, including the controlled use of parallel importation and approved import processes where appropriate, to support continuity of supply into the UK. By working closely with long-standing European partners, alongside manufacturers and regulatory counterparts in other markets, including, for example, the United States, Japan, and Australia, Smartway maintains trusted pathways for medicines to move safely and compliantly across borders.

Regulatory Oversight and Technology

Mr Kohler was also briefed on how Smartway maintains regulatory oversight across jurisdictions, ensuring that every product handled meets appropriate safety and quality standards before reaching patients. Particular interest was shown in Smartway’s use of technology to strengthen supply-chain control.

The team discussed how in-house software development enables the rapid deployment of systems that enhance oversight, traceability, and regulatory control, allowing Smartway to adapt promptly as regulatory and operational requirements evolve.

Supporting Patient Access

At the centre of the visit was Smartway’s focus on protecting patient access to essential medicines during periods of supply pressure. The discussions highlighted how Smartway’s operating model combines regulatory discipline with strategic sourcing to support continuity of care across healthcare settings.

Reflecting on his visit, Paul Kohler MP said:

“I enjoyed visiting the headquarters of Smartway Pharmaceuticals in Wimbledon and meeting their leadership team. It was valuable to see first-hand the work they do in supporting patient access to essential medicines.” - Paul Kohler MP

Commenting on the visit, Dhruv Patel, Chief Operating Officer at Smartway Pharmaceuticals said

“Maintaining continuity of medicines supply increasingly depends on active collaboration with manufacturers, not just distribution. At Smartway, we are working with partners in the UK, Europe and other established international markets to secure licensed supply arrangements and progress regulatory approvals for critical medicines entering the UK. These partnerships allow us to move beyond sourcing alone and take responsibility for long-term, compliant and reliable access across healthcare settings. It was valuable to discuss with Paul how this model supports patient safety and supply resilience” - Dhruv Patel, Chief Operating Officer

Josh Cocklin, Chief Executive of Smartway Pharmaceuticals, added:

“Resilient medicines supply chains are critical to the functioning of modern healthcare systems. At Smartway, our focus is on combining regulatory discipline, operational capability and international collaboration to protect patient access across healthcare settings. We were pleased to demonstrate how Smartway keeps medicines moving safely, compliantly and without compromising patient care.” - Josh Cocklin, Chief Executive

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Smartway outlined its plans to continue strengthening medicines supply resilience in the UK and internationally. This includes recent successes in concluding long-term agreements with manufacturing partners to support the continuity of supply of important medicines into the UK, alongside the development of new partnerships across the globe, including the United States and the European Union.

These arrangements reflect a broader strategy that extends beyond distribution alone. This approach is supported by sustained investment in regulatory capability, systems, and international partnerships, reflecting Smartway’s long-term commitment to building resilient, compliant supply routes for essential medicines. 

By working closely with manufacturers, regulators, and healthcare providers, Smartway aims to play a sustained role in supporting safe, compliant, and resilient medicines supply across public and private healthcare systems, both in the UK and overseas.