With major legislative changes to broaden hub and spoke dispensing coming into effect in October 2025, the UK pharmacy sector is approaching a critical turning point. The shift toward hub and spoke dispensing is no longer a matter of if, but when.
Ashley Kilgas, Chief Commercial Officer at Centred Solutions, has seen firsthand how the right support and technology can transform pharmacy operations, boosting compliance, unlocking clinical capacity, and driving sustainable growth.
Why hub and spoke and why now
The upcoming legislative change to allow hub and spoke dispensing between different legal entities will open the door for all pharmacies in the UK, regardless of ownership, to take advantage of this dispensing model. But success won’t come from simply automating workflows. It requires legal certainty, operational readiness, and end-to-end support. That’s exactly where Centred Solutions comes in.
Three hub and spoke models created purely for the UK market
Unlike generic automation providers, Centred Solutions specialises purely in hub and spoke dispensing. It is what our technology was built to do and it is already tried and tested in a range of pharmacy settings in the UK. The team at Centred Solutions are all experts in hub and spoke dispensing with vast technical, operational and market experience specific to the pharmacy industry. Our leadership team alone has over 270 years of collective experience focused exclusively on pharmacy dispensing. And our customer solutions team is made up of trained pharmacists and operational experts in large-scale hub and spoke dispensing for pharmacy.
We’ve used this knowledge and experience to identify three distinct hub and spoke business models, each designed to suit different pharmacy group structures, from independents to large national chains. Our approach is inclusive, realistic and achievable because there truly is no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you’re starting with two stores or operating a hundred plus, we make the transition possible with minimal disruption and maximum value.
The three business models for hub and spoke
The three business models we have identified for hub and spoke in the UK are:
Intra Group: Pharmacy groups which are under common ownership or control, which have previously operated through multiple legal entities, can now operate a hub and dispense to all the pharmacies within the group regardless of legal entity.
Managed Service: Pharmacies with existing hubs or looking to establish a hub facility can now offer assembly services to other pharmacies outside of their own legal entity for a fee.
Joint Venture Co-operative: Pharmacies can co-operate together and establish a joint ownership co-operative hub to offer an assembly service to their own pharmacies and/or to other pharmacies.
FLOWRx: Our end-to-end, compliant hub and spoke solution
FLOWRx by Centred Solution can sit at the heart of these three models as it is a fully integrated platform which was purpose-built for hub and spoke dispensing. Here’s what sets it apart:
· Automation hardware and software designed for the realities of UK pharmacy
· Encrypted, compliant data flows to eliminate legal risk
· Secure integration with PMRs, RDS, and wholesale systems
· Post-launch staff training and ongoing operational support
· Full visibility between the hub and the spoke ensuring the spoke retains control
This isn’t just plug-and-play automation. FLOWRx empowers pharmacy groups to deliver smarter, safer, and more profitable services from day one.
Legal confidence from the start
However, it is crucial to note that transitioning to a hub and spoke model isn’t just about systems and technology. It impacts your entire operation including workflows, regulatory compliance as well as legal compliance. All of this will be crucial as pharmacies transition to hub and spoke, regardless of the model they opt for. With this in mind, we have been working closely with pharmacy law experts to ensure that every business model we implement is compliant from day one. You’ll also gain access to exclusive legal templates to simplify setup and reduce risk as legislation evolves. This further ensures that when it comes to pharmacy hub and spoke, Centred Solutions offers a level of expertise and market validation that’s unmatched in the UK. Here's a recap on why we are leaders in this field:
· Innovation Driven: Pioneers in hub-and-spoke automation
· Cost Efficient: Significant payroll and stockholding savings; ROI in under 2 years
· Scalable & Flexible: Works for 2+ stores with as little as a £100k investment
· Market Validated: Trusted by leading UK pharmacy groups
· Expert Led Support: Commercial, legal, and operational advice you can trust
· Designed for Growth: FLOWRx scales with your business
Ready for October 2025? Let’s Talk.
Whether you're curious about how to start or ready to launch, we’re here to help. At Centred Solutions, we’re more than a vendor, we’re your long-term partner in building the future of pharmacy.
Let’s get your pharmacy future-ready today.
