Pharmacy is Evolving – And So Must the Supply Chain

2025 has already proven to be a year of landmark change in UK healthcare. With NHS England being absorbed into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the launch of a new 10-year health plan, the government’s vision of a “Neighbourhood Health Service” places pharmacies at the centre of community care. 

This transformation comes at a time when digital innovation and automation are reshaping every corner of healthcare. By 2035, automation and robotics are expected to play a central role in how medicines are dispensed and patient care is delivered. 

 

Why automation matters now 

Automation allows pharmacies to reduce repetitive tasks and focus on what really matters: patient interaction and clinical services. Already, robots, pharmacy management systems (PMRs), and workflow automation tools are making their way into daily operations. 

The upcoming amendment to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, enabling Hub and Spoke dispensing across different legal entities from October 2025, is set to accelerate adoption. For pharmacists, this means a unique opportunity: 

• Large groups can scale efficiency across multiple locations. 

• Independent pharmacies can tap into centralised services without heavy upfront investment or potentially create their own joint venture co-operative hub.. 

The key message is clear: act now, or risk being left behind. Starting to explore automation options today gives pharmacies more time to assess opportunities, weigh risks, and plan for sustainable growth. 

 

The supply chain must evolve too 

Automation isn’t just about installing new machines. The consumables supply chain must keep pace to ensure systems run smoothly. Bags, cartons, labels, bottles, and trays - the everyday essentials – are just as vital in keeping operations efficient and safe. 

For over 60 years, EMT Healthcare has supported pharmacies with trusted consumables, evolving its range to support automation through innovations like MDS trays and the Pillbook Ultra. 

 

A new partnership for the future of pharmacy 

Recognising the importance of aligning technology with consumables, Centred Solutions and EMT Healthcare have joined forces. EMT Healthcare will now serve as the preferred consumables partner for Hub and Soke specialist Centred Solutions’  FLOWRx automation systems. 

Ashley Kilgas, Chief Commercial Officer  at Centred Solutions said: 

"As hub and spoke dispensing continues to gather pace, it's important for industry providers to work together to support community pharmacies as they transition to this new way of working. We're delighted to be working alongside EMT Healthcare in this new partnership to ensure our existing and future hub and spoke customers are able to acquire quality consumables, that are compatible with our FLOWRx solutions, to drive efficiencies in their spoke pharmacies and provide more time for face to face patient care.” 

This collaboration ensures that every label, mailing bag, and ribbon used within automated processes meets the required quality, price point, and reliability to eliminate downtime and support continuous dispensing. EMT Healthcare have worked closely with the industry, over the last decade in particular, to innovate the consumbales sector focusing on what’s next within areas such as sustainability and technology. 

 

Rod Muir Managing Director at EMT says: 

“This partnership is about preparing for the future. As automation and robotics reshape healthcare, the hub-and-spoke model will only grow in importance. By combining Centred Solutions’ innovation with EMT’s trusted expertise built over 60 years of delivering consumables with value and reliable next-day service we’re giving customers confidence in both today’s supply needs and tomorrow’s technology-driven solutions.” 

 

Looking ahead 

The pharmacy of the future will be digital, automated, and patient-focused. By combining Centred Solutions’ cutting-edge technology with EMT Healthcare’s trusted consumables, this partnership provides a foundation for pharmacies to embrace change with confidence. 

Pharmacies looking to explore their options can start by engaging with suppliers at industry events such as The Pharmacy Show 2026 at the NEC, a key opportunity to see automation in action and understand how consumables integrate into the wider solution.