A BUSINESSMAN from Redditch has been given an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contribution to the pharmacy sector.
Nitin Sodha was presented with the degree by Prof Kat Thomas, vice dean of the medical school at the University of Birmingham.
Mr Sodha said he was ‘humbled’ by the honour, particularly as Birmingham University had outstanding teaching, learning and research traditions.
Prof John Marriot, head of the School of Pharmacy at the university, said: “Nitin had achieved an amazing number of outcomes, and his input into the new pharmacy school was vital.”
After emigrating to Britain from Kenya, Mr Sodha started his career in a biochemistry laboratory before qualifying as a pharmacist.
He started his first pharmacy from a portable cabin in Crabbs Cross which led to the foundation of Knights Pharmacies. With the help of his brothers and nephew they grew the firm into Lexon (UK), one of the leading pharmaceuticals distribution companies in the country. It employs more than 800 people, about half of which live in Redditch and Bromsgrove.
Mr Sodha is also chair of the Worcestershire Local Pharmaceutical Committee, vice chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, mentors young people and aspires to improve the sustainability of Redditch, particularly in the areas of science and technology.
He also volunteers with the career academy, the Oxford Centre of Hindu Studies and the Royal Army Medical Corps (V).
And Mr Sodha still has an ambition to push the boundaries of the pharmaceutical sector further.
“I am convinced community pharmacy can do a lot more in public health and reducing hospital pressures. Specifically this would be in minor ailment services and domiciliary medication support, especially for the vulnerable in the community – so that hospital readmissions may be hopefully reduced.”
