Tilray Brands Inc. Expands U.K. Pharmaceutical Access Through Strategic Distribution Agreement With Smartway Pharmaceuticals
Tilray Pharma, the pharmaceutical division of Tilray Brands Inc., has announced a new strategic partnership designed to expand the availability of pharmaceutical products across the United Kingdom.
The company confirmed that its European pharmaceutical distribution subsidiary, CC Pharma, has entered into a formal agreement with Smartway Pharmaceuticals, a leading U.K.-based distribution and supply chain partner.
The collaboration is aimed at strengthening medicine access, improving supply reliability and scaling distribution through established health care networks nationwide.
Parallel Import and Specialist Supply Partnership Signals Major Step in European Medical Expansion Strategy
Through the agreement, CC Pharma and Smartway will jointly support the growth of parallel importation and specialist pharmaceutical supply throughout the U.K.
The partnership combines complementary infrastructure and capabilities:
- Smartway’s national distribution network and regulatory supply expertise
- CC Pharma’s European procurement channels
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) capacity
- Cross-border pharmaceutical sourcing capabilities
Executives say the arrangement marks a significant advancement in Tilray’s broader European medical expansion plan, particularly as demand grows for diversified medicine sourcing and specialist supply pathways.
Nearly £1 Billion U.K. Market Opportunity Drives Strategic Collaboration
Industry estimates place the U.K.’s parallel import and specialist pharmaceutical market at close to £1 billion, making it a high-value segment within the national health care supply chain.
Under the agreement, the companies aim to:
- Accelerate patient access to medicines
- Strengthen supply continuity
- Expand product reach through pharmacy and hospital channels
- Support regulated and specialty drug distribution
By leveraging Smartway’s domestic logistics footprint and CC Pharma’s continental sourcing infrastructure, the partnership is expected to enhance resilience in medicine supply—an ongoing priority for U.K. health providers.
Leadership Highlights U.K. as Priority Market in Tilray’s International Medical Strategy
Rajnish Ohri, President of International at Tilray Brands, described the agreement as a strategic milestone in the company’s global medical growth roadmap.
“The U.K. is a priority market within Tilray’s international medical strategy,” Ohri said. “This agreement strengthens our ability to broaden access to medicinal products through established health care distribution channels, while advancing our long-term growth across Europe’s evolving medical landscape.”
He added that the partnership is also expected to support Tilray’s positioning within the U.K. health system for its own medicinal cannabis portfolio, embedding the company more deeply into regulated care pathways.
Longstanding CC Pharma Smartway Relationship Evolves Into Deeper Supply Chain Alliance
While the agreement marks a new commercial phase, the two distributors are not new partners.
CC Pharma and Smartway Pharmaceuticals have maintained a cross-border working relationship since 2009, collaborating on pharmaceutical sourcing and regulated supply initiatives.
Mathias Bossen, Managing Director of CC Pharma, said the expanded alliance reflects rising demand for specialized distribution services.
“This agreement represents an important step forward in expanding our pharmaceutical distribution activities into the U.K.,” Bossen said. “By working closely with Smartway and leveraging their strong national network, we are well-positioned to enhance supply reliability and support pharmacy and hospital partners with high-quality product lines.”
Patient Access and Continuity of Care Central to Smartway’s Distribution Mission
Smartway Pharmaceuticals CEO Josh Cocklin emphasized the patient-centered impact of the partnership, noting that reliable medicine access remains the core objective.
“Our focus is always on patients and outcomes,” Cocklin said. “By extending what Smartway already does in regulated pharmaceutical supply, this agreement supports continuity and expansion of access to medicines across U.K. health care.”
He added that improved distribution coordination should reduce treatment interruptions and create more predictable access for both patients and clinicians.
Future Collaboration Opportunities Signal Broader International Health Care Platform Ambitions
Beyond immediate distribution expansion, both companies signaled interest in exploring additional joint initiatives over time.
These may include:
- Expanded specialty pharmaceutical sourcing
- Broader European distribution integration
- Medical cannabis supply collaboration
- Health system partnership models
The agreement aligns with Tilray’s longer-term strategy of building scaled, partnership-led platforms across key international medical markets, positioning the company at the intersection of pharmaceutical distribution and cannabinoid-based therapeutics.
Strategic Deal Reinforces Tilray’s Push to Integrate Pharmaceutical and Medical Cannabis Supply Chains
As global medical cannabis frameworks evolve alongside traditional pharmaceutical systems, Tilray’s latest U.K. agreement highlights its dual-market approach leveraging established drug distribution infrastructure to support both conventional and cannabis-derived therapies.
With CC Pharma and Smartway now operating under a deeper strategic alignment, Tilray is poised to expand its medical footprint, strengthen supply resilience and enhance patient access across one of Europe’s most closely regulated health care environments.
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