The Pharmacist’s senior reporter Joanna Robertson has been crowned ‘Pharmacy Writer of the Year’ during Avicenna’s annual media awards.

Judges praised Joanna for her work in highlighting the challenges faced within community pharmacy and for the ‘incredible’ speed in which she gets the latest news to the sector.

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The awards – hosted by Avicenna at the Barber-Surgeon’s Hall on Friday – sees independent community pharmacists judge the best in pharmacy trade press.

Ms Robertson, who joined The Pharmacist in August 2022, was commended for her exclusive news, investigations and features published throughout 2024.

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Standout pieces for the judges included a three-part report on pharmacy closures, featuring maps that revealed the hardest hit parts of the country were in deprived areas.

Judges also highlighted the speed of Joanna’s reporting about key issues facing the sector, including GP practices decision to turn off the Update Record, as well as her report exploring the experience of women working in pharmacy.

One judge commented: ‘The speed of reporting is incredible.’

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This latest award comes just months after The Pharmacist won a press award from the Independent Pharmacies Association last year.