Forster-Jones to lead Clarity DTP's expansion plans

The only independent ‘direct to pharmacy’ operator has signaled its intentions for growth by attracting one of the sector’s leading professionals to its senior management team.

Paul Forster-Jones joins Clarity DTP as joint Managing Director and immediately issued a rallying call for more manufacturers to take advantage of its new online purchasing model.

The sector expert, who uniquely held board positions with both AAH Pharmaceuticals and Alliance Healthcare, believes the company’s ability to provide a transparent supply chain and direct route to pharmacies, GPs, Hospitals and Patients will reduce the incidence of parallel exporting and the growing problem of drug shortages in the UK.

He cited the recent contract win with Takeda to supply some of its branded items via Clarity DTPs website as a major milestone, with more manufacturers in the pipeline.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to how Pharma products are sold and distributed and one that I’m keen to really attack,” explained Paul, who joined Clarity after a stint as Retail Director at Co-op Pharmacy

“Clarity is a cutting-edge interface that gives pharmaceutical companies direct access to pharmacists and, through its total supply chain visibility, enables the manufacturer to regain control of both supply and pricing.

“This will improve service to the end patient by amongst other things, reducing import, export and counterfeit trade and in building closer relationship and brand loyalty with customers.

“There is a growing issue with the media reporting dozens of cases where patients are unable to get their correct medication because elements of the existing supply chain are taking advantage of the prevailing exchange rate and exporting drugs intended for the UK market. We offer a ready-made solution to this problem.”

Clarity DTP, which is a business division of Unique Solutions for Pharma (USP), was established in June last year and is the only truly independent direct to pharmacy offer in the UK.

Based at its Bishop Stortford offices, the company operates a secure and easy-to-use website that pharmacists/GPs can register with and place orders, benefitting from real time information and a full tracking service in the process.

Takeda has become the first organisation to sell its products, including Prostap, online, with other manufacturers due to be announced shortly. The long-term business plan is to supply many more Pharma products available at the click of a button.

Paul continued: “Our web-based model is proven to work and offers benefits for both the manufacturers and the end user which has to be good news.

“Importantly, our development programme will also address a number of further specific challenges faced by both pharmacy and manufacturer.”

Clarity DTP expects to turnover £30millon this year and plans further investments in its website, warehousing and distribution system by the end of 2010 and, longer term, is exploring ways of adapting the model to offer a ‘direct to patient’ service.