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Omega Pharma collected a staggering total of eight awards at this year's SMART Awards, while Johnson & Johnson scooped the coveted title of Best Overall Company. Charlotte Rixon reports

(l-r) SMART judge Gill Bullock, Dean & Smedley; Lynette Roberts and Stuart White, Omega Pharma

Omega Pharma shone at the SMART Awards on 12 February 2015, with its name announced as the Winner or Runner-Up no fewer than eight times.

Big winners

Among Omega Pharma's victories were Best Product Launch and Best Brand Training, both awarded by SMART's independent judging panel for the company's new cough remedy Bronchostop, as well as Best Company Training for its 'CPD, Training and Business Support'. Its classic pain relief brand, Solpadeine, was also named Best Overall Brand by the readers of Pharmacy Magazine and Training Matters.

Neil Lister, Omega Pharma general manager UK and Ireland, told TM: €It's amazing what we've achieved considering that we weren't even on the radar a few years ago. We are all about trying to support community pharmacy, especially independent pharmacy, and it's great that we've been recognised for this work tonight.€ Hosted by TM's sister title Pharmacy Magazine and sponsored by Numark, the SMART Awards recognise the valuable support that healthcare companies provide community pharmacy.

Celebrating success

Johnson & Johnson also triumphed at the event, taking home five awards, including Best Support for Independent Pharmacy and the top award of Best Overall Company. Commenting on the company's success, J&J head of pharmacy, David Mitchell, said: €I'm absolutely delighted and particularly pleased to win reader voted awards. We are passionate about pharmacy and our desire and ambition is to please our customers and continue to support them to reach their aspirations.€

The occasion also acknowledged pharmacists and pharmacy teams who have delivered an outstanding contribution to the sector. Barnton Pharmacy in Edinburgh was presented with the Award for Best Independent Community Pharmacy Healthcare Innovation, in association with the NPA, while this year's Terry Norris Award for Services to Pharmacy went to Peter Buckley of Peter Buckley Pharmacy in Wigan.