Behind The Counter: Pharmacy Podcast

In this insightful episode, Solomon Abuede sits down with our guest Nicola Goodberry Kenneally , CEO of Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire , to unpack the latest Community Pharmacy Contract announcement and what it really means for pharmacy contractors, pharmacists, and the future of community pharmacy. Together, they discuss the biggest funding uplift community pharmacy has received within the NHS...

In this episode of the Pharmacy Ownership Series , we dive into one of the most pressing challenges facing community pharmacy today time . As dispensing volumes increase and operational costs continue to rise, many pharmacy owners are finding themselves trapped in a system that prioritizes workload over value. But what if the real problem isn’t just funding but how time is being spent? We explore...

In this episode of Beyond the Counter Pharmacy and Beyond, hosts Solomon Abuede and our guest Qammar Nazir dive deep into the realities of pharmacy ownership. With nearly two decades of experience, Qammar Nazir, Managing Director of Ascent Welfield Group, shares the lessons, challenges, and personal sacrifices behind growing from a locum pharmacist to the owner of over 50 pharmacies. From the earl...

What does it take to keep a pharmacy running for over a decade? In this episode, we sit with our guest Temi, a Superintendent Pharmacist and pharmacy owner with over ten years of experience. He shares an honest look at what it takes to survive, grow, and thrive in pharmacy ownership from the first challenging years of starting from zero, worrying about paying suppliers, to building systems that al...

In this episode, we explore one of the most critical and least discussed phases of pharmacy ownership the stage around five years in, where the realities of running a pharmacy begin to surface more clearly and the pressure of ownership often feels heavier rather than easier. Joining us is Olamide Olakanmi, pharmacy contractor, owner, and superintendent pharmacist at Coal Pharmacy, who shares an ho...

The Truth About Pharmacy Ownership in Scotland In this episode, we step into the Reality Stage, where the excitement of pharmacy ownership fades and the real challenges begin. Our guest, Emmanuel Umezulike, is a pharmacist and pharmacy contractor who has owned pharmacies in Scotland for nearly two years. Having lived, studied, and practiced in Scotland for over 11 years, Emmanuel shares honest ins...

Before You Buy a Pharmacy | The Real Buying Journey. In this episode, we explore the real and often overlooked journey of buying a pharmacy. Opeyemi Lasore shares her honest experience navigating the process from long timelines and funding challenges to emotional pressure, fear, and critical decision-making. This conversation breaks down what first-time pharmacy buyers rarely prepare for, includin...

What really happens after you sell your pharmacy? In this honest and reflective episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond , Solomon Abuede shares the emotional, financial, and leadership lessons that followed the sale of two of his pharmacy branches. From the initial relief to rebuilding stronger than ever, Solomon reveals the business mistakes, mindset shifts, and systems that transforme...

Selling a pharmacy isn’t just about handing over the keys; it’s a journey full of hidden challenges, emotional decisions, and financial lessons that most owners never see coming. In this episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond , host Solomon Abuede shares his firsthand experience of selling a pharmacy, pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes. From the stress of...

Join Solomon Abuede on "Behind the Counter Pharmacy and Beyond" as he reveals the untold story of overcoming a challenging year in the pharmacy business. Discover actionable insights on managing financial pressures, staffing issues, and supply chain disruptions. Whether you're a pharmacy owner or a small business entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons in resilience and st...

Managing staff can make or break your pharmacy, and I've learned that the hard way. In this episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond , I open up about the toughest staffing mistakes I've made: from hiring people who weren't the right fit to losing some of the best team members we ever had. I share what went wrong, what it cost us, and how we rebuilt with purpose. Inside this episode: ✅...

In this eye-opening episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond , I’m joined by Bushra Effendi, Advanced Pharmacist, menopause specialist, and founder of a thriving private clinic. Together, we dive deep into the uncomfortable truth: women’s health is still being sidelined in mainstream healthcare. From the lack of menopause training to the rise of private clinics, we unpack why pharmacists...

In this candid and compelling episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond , host Solomon Abuede sits down with Tohidul Islam , pharmacist, whistleblower, and founder of The Pharmacist Cooperative (TPC) , to discuss the hidden challenges and opportunities facing both locum pharmacists and pharmacy owners . From battling unfair work conditions and threats, to challenging complacency in pharma...

Is pharmacy still a sustainable business in 2025? What does the new NHS contract mean for independent contractors, and how can we survive, adapt, and thrive? In this powerful guest episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond , host Solomon Abuede is joined by Ashley Cohen , a seasoned pharmacy contractor and board member of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Chair of Community Phar...

In Part 2 of our deep dive into The Pharmacy Numbers Game, we go beyond the NHS contract and get real about what’s actually draining your pharmacy’s profit, and how to stop it. This episode covers the full breakdown of the silent margin killers hiding in plain sight, from unpaid deliveries to the hidden cost of NOMAD trays, under-claimed services, and rising staff costs. Pharmacy isn’t broken, but...

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I working so hard and still not seeing the money?” — this episode is for you. In Part 1 of The Pharmacy Numbers Game , I pull back the curtain on the financial realities of being a pharmacy contractor in the UK. From Category M and clawbacks to the Drug Tariff and PPD statements, you’ll learn why understanding your numbers isn’t just helpful — it’s survival....

What if survival in pharmacy wasn’t just about chasing NHS prescriptions? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the real story of how we moved beyond NHS dependency and built a sustainable income stream through private services, changing not only our cash flow but our entire business model. You’ll hear the honest lessons we learned: the mindset shifts, the early mistakes, the patient success stories, an...

What happens when doing it all starts doing you in? In this episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond, I’m sharing one of the hardest and most important lessons I’ve learned in business: letting go. I open up about the real cost of trying to control everything, from burnout and bottlenecks to missed opportunities and strained relationships. You’ll hear how we went from micromanaging chaos...

Scaling a pharmacy business sounds like the dream — until it starts to feel like a nightmare. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of what really happened when we expanded beyond our first community pharmacy. From the excitement of opening a second branch to the chaos that followed — team resignations, broken systems, profitability issues, and long weeks away from family — this is the hon...

Want to grow your business but not sure where to start? The secret isn’t just in the numbers—it’s in customer trust . In this episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond , I share the real story of how I scaled my pharmacy business from one small branch to six thriving locations. Spoiler: it wasn’t through flashy ads or corporate budgets—it was through building trust, delivering personal se...

We all see the highlight reels of business success—big wins, major milestones, and the dream of freedom that comes with entrepreneurship. But what about the hard truths? The long nights, emotional stress, financial pressure, and personal sacrifices that rarely get talked about? In this episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond, I share the real, unfiltered story of what it’s truly like to...

Starting a business is exciting—figuring out how to fund it? That’s where the real pressure kicks in. When I opened my first pharmacy, I thought I had it all covered: savings, a solid budget, and a well-thought-out plan. But then reality hit—shopfitting costs soared, stock drained our account, and NHS payments were delayed for months. Before we even opened the doors, we were almost out of money. 🎙...

Writing a business plan is one thing—making it work in the real world of pharmacy is another. When I opened my first pharmacy, I thought I had it all figured out. I had a business plan, revenue projections, and cost estimates… but the reality of starting a pharmacy business quickly exposed the gaps. In this episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond , I break down the mistakes I made in my...

“What if this actually works?” Starting my first pharmacy was the biggest leap of faith I’ve ever taken. No blueprint. No guarantees. Just a dream and a decision to go all in. In this episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond , I share the real story of how I went from locum pharmacist to pharmacy owner —with no investors, limited resources, and a whole lot of fear. 🎧 In this episode, yo...

Welcome to the first episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond—the podcast that tells the real, raw, and relatable stories of what it takes to build and grow a pharmacy business. In this short but powerful intro, I share why I launched this podcast, who it’s for, and what you can expect from every episode moving forward. 💡 Whether you’re an aspiring pharmacy owner, a current contractor,...