West Midlands pharmacist shares her prescription for a healthier world

A dedicated community pharmacist is doing her bit to put the West Midlands town of Stourbridge on the global healthcare map.

Olutayo Arikawe, of Swinford Pharmacy in Stourbridge, is one of 27 pharmacists from around the world who have contributed to a new digital book that aims to highlight the changing role of pharmacy and its efforts to create a healthier future for everyone.

The digital book has been developed by Alliance Healthcare as part of celebrations to mark World Pharmacists Day 2022 which is run by the International Pharmaceutical Federation.

Mrs Arikawe, who has been a pharmacist for 22 years, said: “I am passionate about my profession and want to do more to support patients in Stourbridge. Community pharmacists are at the heart of the community. Being able to support people and promote health equality is great. I love speaking to patients and seeing the difference that every little conversation and action brings.

“I would ideally like to see every pharmacy in the UK have its own mental health champion. Mental health is a big issue and both the pharmacy team and patients need support. Pharmacists can only give their best when they are well themselves.”

There are currently around 11,600 active community pharmacies in England.

Last year alone they dispensed 1.03 billion prescription items, roughly equivalent to 2.8 million items a day. Over the same period they administered 2.77 million seasonal influenza vaccines.

Juan Guerra, SVP and Managing Director at Alliance Healthcare, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic saw pharmacists rise to the challenge of becoming a key part of the world-wide response and now, as we emerge into the new world their role is changing. It’s becoming more about offering a complete healthcare service which is seeing more pharmacists offering additional services such as health consultations where they can diagnose and prescribe medication to offering vaccines.

“We are delighted to have been able to celebrate hardworking, dedicated, and innovative pharmacists like Olutayo who are the backbone of our local communities.

“As a business we’re united in our responsibilities to create healthier futures and we support pharmacists across the globe through our professional networks, which provide support, including, Business Mentors to pharmacists and pharmacies who want to diversify their offering, and via our wholesaler arm which delivers the medications pharmacies need to keep their communities fit and healthy.”

You can read the digital book in full here: www.supportingpharmacy.com