January is often framed as a month to get through. Cold mornings. Dark evenings. A few cases of the sniffles. And a collective sense, often, of waiting for spring.
At Cegedim Rx, the start of 2026 has been anything but about waiting. From our first Town Hall of the year at Buckshaw HQ, to time spent with the wider pharmacy community, to being back on site in a busy pharmacy, the tone for the year ahead has been clear.
Prepare early. Stay connected. Keep moving forward.
Bringing everyone together at Buckshaw felt purposeful and forward-looking. We took time to reflect on achievements and progress from 2025, but the focus was very much on what comes next. Aligning as a team on operationalising our strategy, with pace, discipline, and delivery front of mind. It was not a one-way update from senior leadership. The most valuable moments came through open discussion, breakout sessions, and collaboration across teams. Starting the year with clarity and shared purpose creates a strong foundation for everything that follows.
That sense of connection extended beyond our own walls too. As proud sponsors, attending the CPPSG bi-annual update was a timely reminder of the hugely positive impact the patient safety community continues to make. Patient safety sits at the heart of community pharmacy, and it underpins everything we do. It was an important opportunity to listen, stay grounded in the realities facing pharmacy teams, and reaffirm our ongoing commitment to supporting safe, high-quality care.
We also spent time filming on site at an Asda pharmacy, alongside our Golden Tote teammates. The aim was to capture shared content ahead of the annual Asda conference, where we will be presenting together on how Pharmacy Manager and Golden Tote work in partnership. But beyond the filming itself, the experience was genuinely inspiring.
While we are looking ahead to the conference and continuing to support Asda colleagues as their organisation evolves, being in the pharmacy offered a powerful moment of reflection. Hearing directly from pharmacy teams about the difference made by new systems and processes rolled out during 2025 was incredibly motivating. From improved efficiency to greater confidence in day-to- day roles, the feedback highlighted not just better workflows, but a more effective dispensing journey that supports both pharmacy teams and patient outcomes at real scale.
Clinical services are also firmly front of mind as we move through early 2026. They remain high on the agenda for pharmacies, and we are proud that our Pharmacy Services platform is now supporting tens of thousands of patients as it continues to expand into more pharmacies across the country. As spring approaches, many pharmacies are gearing up for COVID and flu clinics. Having systems that are ready, reliable, and familiar gives teams the confidence to focus on what matters most. Caring for patients.
So while the days may still be short, the focus is firmly forward. Not just towards spring, but towards a year of continued momentum, strong partnerships, and progress that genuinely supports community pharmacy. From large-scale organisations to independents.
A strong year does not begin when the weather improves. It starts with preparation, connection, and clear intent from day one. And with the right technology, the right people, and the right partnerships in place, we are ready to keep moving forward together