“Engage with your local community,” was the key message from Kantilal Agravat of Pharmaco Chemists, when addressing the Avicenna conference delegates today (24 October).

In an inspiring talk, Mr Agravat shared how he has looked beyond the four walls of his community pharmacy to find out what is needed in his Manchester community and how the pharmacy can provide it. One example of such work is how he and his team provide healthcare to homeless people. Along with helping homeless people have access to necessary medication, Mr Agravat supplied starter packs full of toiletries and provided food to help people.

Mr Agravat also works with the Rainbow Trust charity to help asylum seekers in the city access medication and healthcare professionals; nursing homes to pass on health information in a fun and entertaining way, and local schools by providing work experience placements to students.

Describing how he sets out to do five good turns a day, Mr Agravat urged others to consider what they could do to improve their community. “If each pharmacy in the UK was doing one good turn a day, imagine what the reputation of pharmacy will be,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether your items increase as a result of your outreach work, once you take pride in what you do and give love, customers won’t go anywhere else.”