By Santosh Sahu, Founder & CEO, Charac
Over the past year, England has witnessed a net loss of 110 pharmacies, resulting in the lowest number of community pharmacies since 2015.
As both a technology enthusiast and diabetic patient who is reliant on my community pharmacist for life-saving prescriptions, I founded Charac to empower pharmacies through digital transformation. Charac aims to save pharmacists time, improve prescription access and delivery, and curtail the closure of these essential pillars of the UK high street and healthcare system.
With over two decades of experience in banking and retail, solving strategic and tactical business problems using digital processes and technology, I have created the only platform on the market that is truly dedicated to supporting community pharmacies.
Lessons learned as an entrepreneur
Since founding Charac, one of the biggest lessons I have learnt as an entrepreneur is to listen to your audience and put them at the forefront of any business decisions that you make.
When Charac first launched, I quickly realised that I needed more input from pharmacists themselves. It was with their expertise and experience that Charac became a product that was fit for pharmacists’ specific needs and expectations.
Through my journey, I have also understood the power of partnerships. A “do it alone” approach won’t last for long. Establishing collaborations and strategic partnerships is essential when it comes to developing a business and expanding a brand’s profile, legitimacy and reputation, and throughout Charac’s journey we have ensured we team up with those that are passionate about solving the problems faced by the industry
Our partners are big enough to disrupt the sector and help to drive forward local pharmacies in the communities we work in. This year, Charac has partnered with Positive Solutions, the National Pharmacy Association, and the Royal Mail – boosting our credentials and increasing our network of knowledge and experience.
Thinking about the future
As well as thinking about the now, including collaborations and partnerships, it’s just as important to set future goals and targets. This helps keep the team motivated and ensures you are all working towards a collective vision.
Over the next ten years, Charac aims to help more and more pharmacies undertake digital transformation, boosting virtual consultations and online prescriptions. Our goal is for 2,000 pharmacies to be using Charac technology.
We want to increase the efficiency of pharmacies and give time back to pharmacists, allowing them to carry out more consultations and act as a supporter to the NHS and GPs who are under increasing pressure and strain.
It’s this collective goal that ensures our team works seamlessly together.
Company culture
Part of becoming a successful entrepreneur is ensuring you have an open, honest, and passionate working culture.
Surround yourself with a team who shares your vision and is excited to be part of the business’ journey. I am the founder of Charac, however, without the team of amazing people supporting and encouraging me, Charac would not be even close to what it is today.
Studies suggest that over 70% of people who resign from their jobs do so because of a poor company culture or they don’t feel like a cultural fit for that organisation. At Charac, it’s so important to me that everybody has a voice and is empowered to use it.
We all listen and share ideas because we know this is the only way a business can excel.
Advice for budding entrepreneurs
One of the best pieces of advice I can give to someone looking to start their own business is to identify a gap in the market and then speak with those working in the industry – how can you come up with a plan to solve the problem?
Of course, a business plan does not come together overnight, but with the right timing, people, and resources, you can come up with a plan that can make a real difference to people’s lives, both directly and indirectly.
At Charac, our primary goal was to make life easier for pharmacists so they can best serve their patients. However, we are now also helping ease the pressures on GPs and the NHS as a whole by empowering pharmacists to play a greater role in our healthcare system.
Be patient – there will naturally be barriers to overcome, but with grit and determination I believe that anything is possible.
What has driven me to be a successful entrepreneur is finding a cause that I truly believe in and am passionate about. Community pharmacies are an integral gateway into primary care in the UK, yet since 2016 one in every 18 pharmacies has closed.
I founded Charac to try and reverse this trend and ensure as many people as possible have access to the community pharmacist they need.
