Portraits from the pharmaceutical wholesale

Interview with Dr Roland Csőke, CEO of Medimpex Gyógyszer Zrt.

Please tell us how you came to your current job.

I decided very early on that I wanted to work in the pharmaceutical industry. After graduating, I worked in pharmaceutical manufacturing and then in quality assurance. I soon realised that I was really interested in organisation and process management - within the pharmaceutical industry, of course. Accordingly, I tried to find jobs where I could put these skills to good use. I joined Medimpex in 2019, having previously worked in quality assurance at Hungaropharma.

From my career before Medimpex, I would highlight my time in the field of plasma collection. Blood plasma is a special substance, an irreplaceable basic ingredient for many vital therapies. To ensure that the right quantity and quality of plasma is available for medicine and for people in need, we need voluntary donors, and we need a collection and processing capacity that pays special attention to quality standards, from the medical examination of the donor to the processing of the collected plasma. In this area I was a regional manager responsible for eight plasma collection centres.

How would you describe your role at Medimpex?

Medimpex Gyógyszer Zrt. is a pharmaceutical wholesaler, but it is unique in Hungary in many ways. We are a fully owned subsidiary of Hungaropharma and our activities complement the range of services offered by our parent company. In many cases, we use innovative solutions, and as a leader I see it as a priority to further strengthen the innovative character of the company, because this is what ensures our competitiveness.

In the human pharmaceutical field, we provide pre-wholesale warehousing for manufacturers who are not represented in Hungary. This includes quality assurance services and compliance with regulatory requirements. We sell human medicines to wholesalers only.

We offer a similar service to our veterinary suppliers, with the big difference that our customer range is wider, because we also supply to veterinary practices, veterinary pharmacies, animal farms and feed mixing companies. We also offer wholesale of medical devices, such as contact lenses and their care products, as well as specialised infusion pumps and fittings. Our activities also include supporting participation in tenders for pharmaceuticals, providing a full range of services for tenders and managing the related documents.

What major challenges would you mention that you face as a leader?

Launching and strengthening all new services is a major challenge. But the company itself, the operation of the company also needs to be developed, and in this area we have tasks of particular importance. We are in the process of replacing our ERP system - it's a huge IT project and at the end we will be a company with a state-of-the-art operational background.

A typical challenge in the companies’ life is to adapt to a new regulation by developing new processes and building new capacities: such as currently the change in the prescription of antibiotics in the veterinary field. While regulation has become stricter, the role of pharmaceutical wholesalers has also changed: wholesalers have taken control of the content of prescriptions. Of course, we will carry out this task in such a way that our activities in this area will also increase the safety of the medicine supply.

What motivates you in your work each day?

The first thing I have to mention is that I work in a good team, with colleagues who are able to inspire each other. I'm in a field that interests me in all aspects and in a role in which I can really fulfil my potential. I am constantly looking for opportunities for Medimpex to move forward: one of my goals is to further strengthen our position in the veterinary market, and when a new opportunity comes our way, I can be sure that I can rely on my colleagues, their positive attitude and their commitment. We always have something up our sleeve and I would like to implement it.

Outside of work, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Dogs are my hobby, they have been part of my life since I was a child and I am currently breeding German Boxers. I am the president of the Hungarian Boxer Club, so I spend a lot of time with dogs, not only as an owner, but also in a social position. This role is also a great responsibility for the dogs and their owners. The dogs give me extra motivation for my work, and I also get to know some of Medimpex's customers better.