Young Bruntsfield pharmacists 'excited for the future' after winning prestigious award
The pair have won several awards since starting out in 2023
Two young pharmacists who have transformed a neglected pharmacy into a thriving community business are celebrating after winning a prestigious industry award.
Farhad Mehmood and Ather Diab took over Bruntsfield Pharmacy, an ex-Lloyds branch, in 2023 at the age of just 23.
They have turned the business around since then, with over eight staff working in the store and an offering which includes travel jabs, blood tests and weight loss jabs as well as standard NHS services.
The pair have won several UK awards and earlier this month were named Community Pharmacy of the Year at the Scottish Pharmacist Awards.
“It means a lot,” said Mr Mehmood. “We’ve invested so much into the business and to be recognised on national stage, it means so much.
“It’s hard to put the feeling into words.”
The now 26-year-old said taking the business on as a newly qualified practitioner had been a challenge, but through innovation and hard work the pharmacy had become a popular and trusted service in the neighbourhood again.
“We really want to be the cornerstone of the community,” said Mr Mehmood.
“When we took over the pharmacy, it had lost a lot of trust and the service was poor.
“A lot of patients had left. We wanted to rebuild that trust and restore the pharmacy as a pillar of the community.”
He said the business has big plans for the future and are keen to continue innovating.
“We’re always looking to push the boundaries of what’s possible in community pharmacies,” he said.
“We want to be at the forefront of any new innovative services. We’re really forward thinking.”