The Pharma Files: With Professor Hatim Abdulhussein from Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex
pharmafile | August 28, 2025 | Feature | Medical Communications, Research and Development |Â Â Corporate, GP, Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex, The Pharma FilesÂ
Pharmafile chats with Professor Hatim Abdulhussein, CEO of Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) and a practising GP, about the best parts of his job and his proudest moments.
What excites me about working in pharma is…
The collaborative spirit between clinicians, researchers and pharmaceutical partners. Innovation in medicines and medical technology isn’t possible without it. There’s a constant energy in bringing together diverse expertise to solve real-world health challenges and deliver better outcomes for patients. Every day presents opportunities to harness innovation, from new medicines to digital health, all aimed at making tangible improvements in people’s lives.
What I’m most proud of achieving in my career is…
I worked in Accident and Emergency during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and that experience, working with multi-disciplinary colleagues during a really challenging time, will never leave me.
In relation to the work I do now, I feel privileged to play a pivotal role in shaping innovative healthcare initiatives that have directly improved patient care and access, including in the microcosm of the GP practice where I work is exciting. A key example is the Smart Triage work we have been doing with several innovators and then, from the evaluation we conducted, seeing this in the real world – being able to connect those dots in a practical way makes me proud.
The biggest change since I started working in pharma has been…
It’s the remarkable evolution in our culture of joint working. Over the years, barriers between organisations and disciplines have gradually given way to a genuine spirit of partnership. There is now a shared recognition that innovation thrives when clinicians, researchers, patients and industry partners collaborate transparently from the very beginning of a project.
The next big thing that I’m excited about is…
It’s the transformation underway in how we deliver healthcare – specifically, the rise of new care models that better connect people to diagnostics and treatments right within their communities. Advances in digital health, remote monitoring and point-of-care diagnostics are reshaping traditional pathways, moving vital services closer to where people live and work. This shift means fewer barriers for patients, with faster access to the right tests and interventions and a stronger emphasis on preventative care. Working alongside a broad network of innovators, clinicians and industry partners, I’m energised by the prospect of reimagining care – not as something that only happens in hospitals, but as a seamless, accessible part of everyday life.
What motivates me the most is…
Throughout these experiences, what stands out the most are the people – their resilience, compassion and ingenuity. Whether it was the unwavering teamwork during the COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave or the collaborative drive behind Smart Triage innovations, every milestone has been powered by individuals bringing their expertise, empathy and creativity to the table.
The most important skill I’ve learnt is…
It’s the skill that underpins finding joint wins. Instead of striving for compromise where everyone walks away with less, I look for ways to connect what truly matters to each group. By framing challenges in language that resonates for all stakeholders, we open up space for creativity and collaboration, turning potential friction points into opportunities for collective achievement. It’s this approach – meeting people where they are and guiding us towards outcomes that none of us could reach alone – that I consider the most valuable skill in my toolkit.
The most difficult part of my job is…
That is navigating the realities of driving innovation in environments where resources are stretched and challenges are ever-present. In this environment, even the most promising ideas can find their momentum slowed by practical constraints – limited funding, workforce shortages or infrastructure that struggles to keep pace with ambition. The appetite for transformation is often there, but translating vision into action requires extraordinary persistence and creative problem-solving.
The piece of work that was so good I wish I had been involved is…
That is the pioneering research and community initiatives taking place in Manchester to address obesity. Manchester is rapidly becoming a leader in holistic, data-driven approaches to tackling this complex challenge. Multidisciplinary teams across the city are breaking new ground – blending clinical expertise, public health policy, technology and grassroots engagement to reshape how we think about prevention and intervention.
The most positive part of working in the industry is…
It’s knowing that my daily work contributes to a positive societal impact – helping to shape healthier communities and drive meaningful change on both a local and wider scale. What makes this especially rewarding is being able to draw upon my clinical background, using those skills and insights to inform decisions, collaborate with diverse teams and ensure that the solutions we create are grounded in genuine patient needs.
The best advice I’ve been given is…
In reflecting on these experiences, I’ve learned that it’s not enough simply to do good work – we need to ‘shout about it’ too. Effective communication and engagement are crucial in ensuring that achievements don’t remain hidden, but instead inspire others and catalyse further progress. Sharing successes – whether big or small – not only builds momentum within teams, but also helps foster a culture of learning, recognition and shared ambition across organisations and communities.
This article featured in: September 2025 – The Pharmafile Brief
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