Simpson’s Pharmacy Galgorm invests in new technology pharmaself24

Her dad, Samuel Simpson had a pharmacy in Portglenone for many years and a younger Sarah grew up helping in the family business.

In 2000, she made the decision to strike out on her own and set up in Galgorm and by 2004 she moved into purpose built premises on the Fenaghy Road.

However now sixteen years later Sarah has enjoyed servicing the community. But the past year has been a real challenge for not only her but also many businesses and the community.

Reflecting on the changes in pharmacy and the difficult times faced by all in 2020, she explained: “Myself and pharmacist Robert Allen, along with the team have always hoped and worked toward providing a welcoming space where the community can access healthcare, medicines and advice. 2020 has been challenging to say the least! However with the services we currently provide, the Minor Ailments Service and Pharmacy First for sore throats and common cold. We can still offer advice and if necessary treatment for these conditions and many more.

“Since the beginning of this year and more so after Covid, we had been thinking about how we can better serve our community. That’s when we found Pharmaself24 with the aim to enable patients to have easier access to their medicine.”

This new service enables the pharmacy to give prescriptions even when they are not open and to customers who can not get out.

Sarah continued: “We can now offer prescription collection 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, even when we are closed! This also means the patients who are shielding, or even just short of time,do not need to come in store and wait to collect their prescriptions.

“A text is sent to them saying they have three days to collect their medicines, and all they have to do is type in a six digit code into the machine on the outside of the pharmacy and their medicines are dispensed. Anyone who can use an ATM can use a pharmaself24. We invested in the Pharmaself24 because we believe that it will help our patients during this time and afterward the convenience offered to the community in accessing their medicines, when it suits them will be a big bonus “

If you would like more information contact the pharmacy on 02825639707.

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