INDEPENDENT PHARMACY OPENS FOR BUSINESS

Warminster residents welcomed the opening of an independent pharmacy in Warminster at Broadway roundabout on the Tuesday after Easter. The temporary structure precedes plans to build a permanent pharmacy alongside the existing site, but the new co-owners were keen to offer a service to patients as soon as possible. Co-owner Nikhil Koria, who owns several pharmacies in the West Country, described the tortuous process of setting up the unit but felt that it would enhance pharmaceutical access, particularly for those in the west of the town.

He added that opening on Sunday morning would provide a facility not currently offered in the town and that he would review other enhancements as the facility beds in. Using local, experienced staff, Chung Yi and Anita, was a real plus ensuring a friendly, local service and, as an independent, he could access a greater number of wholesalers to ensure a reliable service.

David Reeves of Health and Wellbeing Warminster, who lobbied to allow reinstatement of a third pharmacy in the town, described this as a positive contribution to the wider community. “It has been a long two and a half years since the closure of Boots Avenue, but this is the first step towards restoring independent pharmaceutical capability in the town” he said.