The Pharmacist wins ‘Best Support for Independent Pharmacists’ award

The Pharmacist was awarded ‘Best Support for Independent Pharmacists’ at the annual Avicenna media awards on Friday (30 January), which took place at Ironmonger’s Hall, London.

The publication was praised for its varied coverage of the pharmacy sector and for establishing an editorial board of pharmacy professionals who will shape its content.

The judges also commended the launch of a new event for community pharmacy and general practice to bring primary care professionals together.

Freelance writer, Saša Janković, was also crowned ‘Pharmacy Writer of the Year’ for her insightful contributions to The Pharmacist, alongside other pharmacy publications.

She recently wrote about the extraordinary lengths patients are going to in order to fake their eligibility for weight loss jabs. She also wrote a series of features for The Pharmacist about supervision – in both practice and community pharmacy – ahead of all new pharmacists being independent prescribers from day one.

In his speech at the awards ceremony, Brij Valla, managing director of Avicenna, highlighted the challenges faced by the pharmacy sector. Specifically, the upcoming increase to business rates, insufficient NHS funding for the medicines dispensed by community pharmacies, and frequent pharmacy closures.

He also stressed the importance of the media for raising awareness of these issues.

The Avicenna awards see independent community pharmacists judge the best in pharmacy trade press.