Jeremy Main, the former managing director of Alliance Healthcare, has been appointed the first independent chair of the Healthcare Distribution Association (HDA).

Main takes over at the HDA, which represents suppliers of medicines and wholesalers including the likes of AAH, Phoenix and Alliance Healthcare, at a critical time for the medicines supply chain in the UK with Brexit looming and a deal yet to be struck.

The HDA said Main would work closely with its council and executive director Martin Sawer “to identify future strategic challenges to the sector whilst addressing immediate issues such as Brexit and the implementation of the Falsified Medicines Directive.”

Sawer said: “Jeremy’s appointment will energise the Association’s aim to be a respected opinion leader that is responsive to the needs of its medicines supply chain partners.

“I and the HDA team look forward to working with him to both identify the opportunities and address the strategic challenges facing our members now and in the future.”

Main said: “I am delighted to join the HDA at a time when the Association is working extremely hard to address the ever-increasing number of challenges facing its members and supply chain partners.

“Constant collaboration and cooperation across the supply chain will be crucial if we are to continue to ensure patients get the right medicines, in the right place, at the right time.”