BRUNTSFIELD PHARMACY TAKES UK CENTRE STAGE WITH DOUBLE AWARD WIN
Bruntsfield Pharmacy in Edinburgh has secured its place as one of the UK’s most innovative community pharmacies after winning two major national awards.
T
he double triumph in Community Pharmacist of the Year at the Chemist + Druggist Awards and Travel Health Clinic
of the Year at the Pharmacy Business Awards 2025 marks a remarkable transformation journey led by Ather, Farhad and their team, who took over a struggling ex-Lloyds branch and reshaped it into a modern, patient-centred clinical hub.
A National Stage for Scottish Innovation At the Pharmacy Business Awards, Bruntsfield Pharmacy received praise for its forward- thinking approach and outstanding contribution to preventative healthcare. UK pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock described community pharmacies as “the cornerstone of neighbourhood healthcare”, highlighting their crucial role in reaching patients across both affluent and deprived communities.
For the Bruntsfield team, the awards represent more than professional achievement - they reflect a philosophy. “We wanted to create a place where people felt cared for, not processed,”
said Ather “Where patients wouldn’t merely collect prescriptions, but feel truly seen, listened to and supported”.
That vision gave rise to the Bruntsfield Pharmacy Travel and Health Clinic, now a shining example of what modern community healthcare can look like. Every new service - from travel vaccinations to allergy testing and cryotherapy - has been shaped by one guiding principle: accessibility through genuine care. “Winning these awards proves that community pharmacy can lead in transforming healthcare, not just support it.”
That belief has deep roots in Scotland’s forward- thinking health landscape. The Pharmacy First model, which empowers pharmacists to assess and treat patients directly, inspired Bruntsfield’s approach to proactive, patient-centred care. Their clinics bridge the gap between GPs and patients, offering quick access to expert services when appointments elsewhere are hard to find. The response has been extraordinary.
“People love that they can walk into their local pharmacy, see a familiar face and get immediate,
high-quality care,” Ather explained. “We hear all the time: I didn’t realise pharmacies could do all this! We’ve built services based on what our community really needs - faster access, trusted advice and a place where healthcare feels personal.”
Beyond the awards and accolades, Bruntsfield’s success carries a message for the next generation of pharmacists. “Age is no barrier to leadership or innovation,” Ather insists. “You don’t need decades of experience, just courage, creativity and a deep commitment to your community.”
Looking ahead, Bruntsfield Pharmacy is preparing to expand further through independent prescribing, enabling seamless, end-to-end patient journeys where consultation and treatment can happen in a single visit.
At a time when sector pressures and debates about funding continue, Bruntsfield’s success is a powerful reminder of what community pharmacy can achieve. Their story highlights the very best of Scottish pharmacy.
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BRUNTSFIELD’S SUCCESS IS A POWERFUL REMINDER OF WHAT COMMUNITY PHARMACY CAN ACHIEVE
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