Lecturers turn Pharmacy owners: First pharmacy near the Cotswold acquired

Dedicated to integrating their academic and clinical expertise, the Purewals are poised to make the new Malmesbury pharmacy a key resource, setting a new standard for community healthcare

Gurinder Singh, a lecturer of Pharmacy at the University of Reading, is set to transition into the role of an independent community pharmacist, along with his wife, Rajdip Purewal, a Clinical Pharmacist in General Practice and clinical lecturer at University of Hertfordshire.

In an exclusive with Pharmacy Business, Singh shared his excitement about his acquisition of a Boots pharmacy located in picturesque Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

His acquisition reflects broader trends in the pharmacy sector where experienced professionals are stepping in to fill gaps left by corporate closures.

According to Singh, driven by a passion for healthcare and a commitment to their community, the new venture promises to bring an innovative and personalised touch to pharmacy services offered in the area.

Discussing his motivation for revamping the pharmacy, now Malmesbury Pharmacy, Singh said:

“My initial motivation was to ensure the local community didn’t have to put up with another closure of a pharmacy after the recent closure of the Lloyds Pharmacy in Malmesbury.”

Having previously worked as a store manager for Boots on the High Street, Singh is familiar with the local community, which he describes as “warm and welcoming.”

The pharmacy’s local connection and proximity to Singh’s home made it ideal. Located in a medical centre rather than on the High Street, it allows close integration with local healthcare providers.

Singh sees this as a strategic advantage, allowing for a more collaborative approach to patient care.

“The medical practice here is forward-thinking and eager to work with pharmacies to ensure patients receive timely care,” he said.

 Putting ‘community’ back into community pharmacy

Singh and Rajdip, plan to introduce several innovative services at the new pharmacy including a full range of travel vaccinations, ear wax removal, and a variety of private vaccination services such as Men B and Vitamin B12.

They also aim to bring NHS-funded services addressing issues in vaccine hesitancy by having a more local approach and delivering talks to raise the importance of vaccines.

“I have hopes for working more closely with the NHS and being able to offer more NHS funded vaccinations to hard-to-reach groups for example for MMR, shingles, pneumonia and more,” he said.

However, Singh finds it “frustrating” that both could “safely see and prescribe for patients” in previous roles in GP practice but “due to IT issues and delays in the programme” they do not have “the functionality to be able to do that from a community pharmacy.”

“If we are truly to become part of primary care, we need to address this sooner rather than later. I have the qualification and the knowledge but just need the right tools,” he added.

The couple are committed to making the pharmacy a hub for health and wellness.

“Our goal is to be the go-to pharmacy for patients and clinicians alike,” Singh said.

He shares that community engagement is central to their vision.

Singh, who has previously organised vaccination programmes for the homeless and collaborated with faith groups, now plans to work closely with local businesses, faith communities, and both Swindon and Wiltshire councils to promote a more preventive approach to healthcare.

Moreover, keen to expand outreach projects that focus on diabetes screening, blood pressure monitoring, and smoking cessation, he recognizes healthcare is not always accessible to all.

“We need to put the word ‘community’ back into community pharmacy,” he emphasised.

Personalised Care

Singh aims to make the pharmacy a visible and accessible community hub, with pharmacists actively engaging in patient care rather than remaining hidden behind counters.

“The plan is for the pharmacy to become a health hub and not limited to just dispensing prescriptions.

“We will work in partnership with NHS bodies to increase uptake of important immunisations, encourage government bodies to roll out more vaccination programmes in community pharmacy,” he asserted.

“I want patients to have a choice for if they want an in-person appointment or remote.

“Pharmacy has not moved with the times and digitalised quick enough. The biggest complaint from patients is always about the telephone not being answered.

“The aim is to be a trusted voice in the community whatever the need,” he shared explaining further that the pharmacy will introduce a booking platform and retain its texting service for enhanced services.”

Leveraging Academic and Clinical Expertise

The couple’s academic background will be key in their new roles as independent pharmacists.

They plan to create a training hub for students and apprentices, partnering with local universities to address staffing shortages and build future talent.

Their clinical experience in independent prescribing will also enhance service quality, improve patient record management, and support future developments in community pharmacy.

Rajdip emphasised the need for community pharmacy to adapt to changes and bridge gaps with GP practices for seamless patient care, stating:

“It is important we train future pharmacists to a high standard, especially where they will be prescriber-ready from next year onwards.

“We will be taking on 2 foundation year students each year and our academic background will no doubt come in useful to help with the foundation year programme but also ensure we have a steady stream of technicians being trained as pharmacies go more clinical, we need to be ready with the right resources.”

Looking ahead, the couple aims to capitalise on the growing Cotswolds’ population and rising healthcare needs by expanding their pharmacy by offering a mix of retail and clinical services to address both, immediate and long-term health requirements.

“This is an exciting time for pharmacy, with opportunities to become a central part of the healthcare system,” he said.

“We want the pharmacy to be a trusted voice in the community, providing high-quality care and innovative services.”