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17 November 2008
CELEBRATING PARTNERSHIP AT THE UNICHEM PHARMACY AWARDS
2008
Over 450 guests attended the eleventh UniChem Pharmacy Awards
ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, on Friday 14 November 2008.
A grand total of fourteen awards were presented on the night, to pharmacists and
pharmaceutical companies from across the supply chain in recognition of
partnership and support for Community Pharmacy.
The awards once again recognised the achievements of visionary and pioneering
Community Pharmacists in four main categories; Community Pharmacy of the
Year, Pharmacy Services Provider of the Year, Pharmacy Retailer of the Year and
Community Healthcare Partnership Award.
The popular Most Supportive Technician Award was once again
presented along with the Most Promising Future Pharmacist Award
(in association with the UniChem Customer Forums and the BPSA).
The Almus Patient Safety Award, now in its fourth year was
presented by Tony Foreman, CEO of Almus Pharmaceuticals and Chris Martin,
Chairman of the UniChem Customer Forums. For the first time the Innovation
in Hospital Supply Chain Award was also presented to recognise the
innovation and contribution of Hospital Pharmacy.
The evening was hosted by Mike Smith of UniChem and former England cricketer
David Gower. Former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond also attended the
evening as a special guest, to represent UniChem’s chosen charity Leonard
Cheshire Disability.
Jeremy Main, UniChem’s Managing Director gave a key-note speech to delegates,
during which he emphasised that the challenges faced by pharmacists and across
the supply chain need to be tackled as a united force. He commented: “We have
emphasised the importance of partnership at this year’s awards and I truly
believe that if we are going to take the challenges presented to us head on, we
need to really embrace this partnership approach across the industry. It
doesn’t matter whether you are an independent pharmacy with a single shop or
global manufacturer, at the end of the day we all have a common goal and that
is providing the best level of service and care to our patients.”
Mike Smith also gave delegates a call to action and once again appealed for the
Department of Health to better support pharmacy. He commented: “At the UniChem
Convention in Oman I mentioned that we have tremendous opportunity in community
pharmacy but we need to grasp this opportunity. Tonight we have seen
outstanding examples of pharmacists and pharma companies who have done just
that.”
“Pharmacy has demonstrated that it can deliver, and now we urge the NHS to
ensure that the primary care organisations can also deliver by engaging with
the profession.”
Winner: Community Pharmacy of the Year and Pharmacy Retailer
of the Year:
Fin McCaul, Prestwich Pharmacy, Prestwich, Manchester
Prestwich Pharmacy has demonstrated how an independent pharmacy can really raise
the bar within its community. The pharmacy offers a leading edge retail
business and an extensive range of healthcare services, and the investment both
in terms of the new premises and the range of services offered has clearly been
felt within the community. The pharmacy has used information technology to good
effect, improving the customer experience and increasing efficiency.
This commitment also extends to the ongoing development of the pharmacy team,
which has been demonstrated through the pharmacy’s Investors in People
accreditation.
The pharmacy’s increased business along with the many testimonials offered by
its customers has demonstrated that it is clearly exceeding the expectations of
the community it serves. Fin McCaul and his team have won these two awards for
delivering a pharmacy that is a complete package.
Winner: Pharmacy Services Provider of the Year:
Nadeem Shah, Wellway Pharmacy, Morpeth, Northumberland
Nadeem Shah and his team have demonstrated that the development and delivery of
new services is their main focus. Using the national contract as a baseline,
the pharmacy has developed an infrastructure to introduce and support a wide
range of NHS and Private services.
Service development has been targeted and the pharmacy has focused on the
management of patients with long term conditions and conditions which require
close monitoring or dose titration. The pharmacy has also expanded into
wellbeing management services and projects becoming the first contact for
healthcare and advice.
Winner: Community Healthcare Partnership Award:
Shaheen Bhatia, P+S Chemists, Ilford, Essex
Shaheen Bhatia is a key member of many local healthcare and business forums and
her pharmacy provides over seven enhanced services. In particular the
pharmacy’s smoking cessation service has for five years delivered the best quit
rates in the PCT. Her pharmacy team also works closely with local community
centres offering diagnostic testing services and healthy living advice.
This pharmacist was also the pioneer in working with the local Drug and Alcohol
Centre for addicts. This work has led to the establishment of a supervised
methadone service offered by a further 19 pharmacies in her PCT. Her pharmacy
also sponsors a local initiative encouraging drug users to focus on staying
healthy and getting involved in sport. All of these initiatives are driven by
her desire to form strong partnerships with carers and communities alike.
Winner: Almus Patient Safety Award:
Charles Michie, Michies Pharmacy, Aberdeen
Keeping refrigerated medicines at a constant temperature is a major concern for
the healthcare profession with the need to devise an early warning system to
alert pharmacy branches and head office of any temperature fluctuations.
Working in partnership with Internet for Business, Charles Michie devised an
internet based record system with a built in early warning system should
temperatures (recorded internally and externally) deviate from set parameters.
Reports can be accessed remotely, in real time, to minimise potential safety
issues, sending alerts via email and text message to a mobile phone.
Winner: Most Supportive Technician Award:
Tracy Perkins, D.L Ogle Ltd
Tracy was nominated by her pharmacist as a valued member of the pharmacy team.
Having joined the company at the age of 18, her seven years of dedication to
both her personal development and to the pharmacy has been exemplary. She plays
an integral role in the pharmacy team managing much of the day-to-day running
of the dispensary as well as advising, supporting and helping to train the
other dispensary assistants. She has also implemented new initiatives to
improve the running of the pharmacy, in particular a successful and more
efficient IT based system for the repeat prescription delivery and collection
service.
Alphega Pharmacy of The Year Award:
Shilen Patel, Healthchem Pharmacy
Winner: Most Promising Future Pharmacist Award (in
association with the UniChem Customer Forums and the BPSA):
Louise Hemmings, University of Bradford
Winner: Innovation in Hospital Supply Chain Award:
Jim Armstrong, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and the South East Coast
Collaborative Procurement Hub
Supplier Awards:
Winner: Ethical Supplier of the Year
Pfizer
Winner: Health & Beauty Supplier of the Year
Procter & Gamble
Winner: Generics Supplier of the Year
Dr Reddy’s
Winner: Surgical Supplier of the Year
Lifescan
Winner: Shortline Supplier of the Year
Pliva
For more information please contact:
Helena Bate, Communications Manager, UniChem, 0208 974 4044
Sanam Conway, Communications Executive, UniChem, 0208 974 4045
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