SCIENCE HUMANISED: A CONVERSATION WITH DAVID MITCHELL.

David’s Journey:

David recounts his fascinating career, from his early days growing up in an RAF family and working at the Atomic Energy Authority, to building a 42-year legacy at Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). Along the way, he helped spearhead major innovations like the launch of Imodium Prescription in the UK and led significant prescription-to-over-the-counter (“POM to P”) medicine switches—including the world’s first statin and the highly successful Viagra transition.

Championing Pharmacy and Industry Change:

Throughout his career, David has been deeply involved in championing the pharmacy sector. He shares honest perspectives on the challenges facing UK pharmacies today—from financial pressures and pharmacy closures to the ongoing evolution required in the face of technology and changing consumer behaviour. But his optimism shines through: with more pharmacists able to prescribe and private services gaining ground, he believes pharmacy has a bright and essential future—if it embraces change and actively engages its local communities.

Teamwork, Passion & Humanising Science:

Whether advising young professionals or reflecting on years of service and leadership, David’s advice is clear: work as a team, keep the consumer at the heart of what you do, and always “humanise” the science. Something we agree whole heartedly with at Verve. 
 
Translating technical knowledge into meaningful, accessible conversations is crucial—especially for pharmacists bridging the worlds of medicine and everyday health. 

Highlights from the Interview: 

• The evolution of pharmacy: from hub & spoke to dispensing robots  

• The importance in the rise of private services & new clinical offerings in community pharmacy 

• Why some “POM to P” switches succeed and why others stumble 

• The challenges and promise of the Pharmacy First scheme 

• The need to shift both industry and public mindsets towards seeing pharmacies as a true front door to the NHS

David’s infectious passion, deep industry knowledge, and unwavering focus on the sector make this conversation essential viewing for anyone interested in the future (and even past) of pharmacy, healthcare innovation, and the human stories behind industry progress.  

We’d like thank David for his time and inspiring conversation in recording this chat. Here’s to working together for many more years. 

Enjoy the read? Well, we thought we’d introduce you to who’s behind it all.

Science has the power to change the world – but only if people connect with it. Facts alone aren’t enough; they need context, emotion, and meaning to truly make an impact. At Verve, a health communications agency, we believe that science should be more than just understood, it should inspire action. That’s why we developed Science, humanised, an approach that transforms complex data into communication that resonates. We don’t just translate scientific information; we create stories that resonate, inspire, and empower. Because when science is told with clarity and emotion, it drives real change.

In a fast-moving world, where breakthroughs happen every day, how we communicate science matters. It’s not just about accuracy…it’s about connection. We bridge the gap between facts and feelings, between research and real life. Through strategic storytelling, we ensure that every scientific insight is accessible, relevant, and impactful.

Because science doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s a conversation – one that requires curiosity, creativity, and, most importantly, a human touch.