Pharmacist Ahmed Alawi, owner of Stanmore Bay Pharmacy has an extra reason to stand by the products he sells – he developed some of them himself.
As well as being a qualified Pharmacist, Ahmed has a pharmaceutical company that develops products that are sold in New Zealand, Australia and the Middle East. It includes suncare, anti-itch and wound wash – all of which Ahmed stocks in the pharmacy that he opened this month in the New World Whangaparaoa block.
Ahmed, originally from Iraq, moved to New Zealand almost 20 years ago. Both his parents are doctors but Ahmed was drawn to pharmaceuticals because he likes its combination of business and medicine.
It’s seven years since he qualified as a pharmacist, and his intern and locum work since then gave him experience in 40-50 pharmacies.
He says he learned what works, and what doesn’t, and this has given him priorities and goals now that he has his own business.
The most important thing, he says is to offer a good range of reliable products and have efficient systems and friendly, approachable staff. He says reasonable prices are also important and that being under the Unichem umbrella, coupled with his strong relationships with suppliers, provides access to good deals that are passed on to customers.
The pharmacy stocks plenty of over the counter products as well as a good range of natural health supplements.
With a gym next door, Ahmed has also brought in sports protein and supplements. Passport photo and photo processing services are also provided.
Ahmed says customers appreciate that Stanmore Bay Pharmacy is open from 8.30am–7pm on weekdays and Saturday and 9am–6pm on Sundays for their convenience.
Having used Gulf Harbour boat ramp to launch his fishing boat for several years, Ahmed was already familiar with the Coast and its growing community and wants to get more involved with what’s going on locally.
He says the New World complex, which is almost complete now, is developing nicely and shaping up to be a handy location for many people.
Prescriptions can be faxed in to him, then collected when doing the grocery shopping, or brought in to the pharmacy direct.
“I’ve already got positive relationships with local doctors and am getting prescriptions in from Silverdale and all over the Coast,” he says. “It’s a very welcoming community.”
