The Tribune

The importance of the pharmacists in the healthcare process can often be overlooked when considering the medical profession. However, the person who has responsibility for dispensing drugs, plays a vital and conclusive role. They must be knowledgeable about not only the drug, but also a patient’s gender, general weight and height and medical status, all information that allows pharmacists to properly interpret the hundreds of prescriptions that pass their desks every day.

Interactions when receiving the drug can put a client at ease, or create more stress or tension, depending on how questions are answered, and how knowledgeable the pharmacist is. That is why Laura Pratt-Charlton made it a point to focus on the customer when she and her husband David Charlton opened the Prescription Parlour Pharmacy.

This month is a special one for Laura, as August 2013 marks the pharmacy’s 20th anniversary. The company has come a long way from being a cubby hole, approximately 300 square feet in size, next to Lil General Convenience Store, to an 8,000 square-foot edifice on its own property just a stone’s throw away on East Street South.

Mrs Pratt-Charlton served as proprietor back in 1993, and her only other employee was her pharmacy technician Cotrina Green. In 1995, the pharmacy moved into the Carey’s Plaza, right next door. In 1996, the pharmacy extended its hours to become the first and only 24 hour pharmacy in the Bahamas. In 1999, the company spread its wings to Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama. Laura’s innovative ideas kept coming. In 2001, her company became the first to open a kiosk in a petrol service station.

In 2003, she saw the manifestation of her vision to have her own building and make even more of an impact in the community, opening the Lauren-Ashley Plaza. The business quickly outgrew the 2,000 feet there and in 2009, the Prescription Parlour ended up in its present home - a completely remodeled “Midas” building, commanding a whole new atmosphere and offering a range of over the counter products.

Combining her love her for pharmacology, her love for people and her drive for success, Laura has been able to move from strength to strength. Her business’ motto: “Let Us Pamper You Back To Good Health” has allowed her and her staff to remain true to the promise to put the customer and their health needs first.

She is humbled by her staff, which has grown tremendously since it was just her and Ms Green. They allow her and her husband, who serves as chief financial officer, to invest time into their track club, moulding tomorrow’s track stars and nation builders.

In addition to celebrating the 20th anniversary of the business, Laura has the mammoth task of marketing ‘Pharmacy Conference 2013”. This conference will bring scores of delegates from more than 40 countries around the world to the Bahamas for a week of intense meetings, intermingled with cultural explosions.

It is an important task, considering that the Bahamas is the smallest territory of all pharmacy associations around the world. This year, the Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association (BPA) has the honour of hosting the global event. It is held once every two years, bringing together representatives from other Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP) will be focusing on the theme: “Enhancing Optimal Pharmaceutical Care Through Technology”.

Pharmacy Conference 2013 will be held from August 12 - 18, 2013 at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island. There will be specific attention paid to Internet technology as it relates to the profession, noncommunicable diseases, and disabilities. The public is invited to attend a Disabilities Workshop, which is designed to help people from all professions learn how to deal with persons with disabilities with more dignity and respect, which will be held on Wednesday, August 14, from 8am to 3pm.

Mrs Pratt-Charlton considers Pharmacy Conference 2013 timely and crucial as the Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association fosters partnerships which will help it to grow and stay afloat, especially in the face of obstacles here in the Bahamas, such as the National Prescription Drug Plan and the uncertainty that exists with the pending introduction of Value Added Tax.

The BPA has made a special connection with the Ontario Association of Pharmacists, and a delegation just returned to the Bahamas from Canada, ahead of Pharmacy Conference 2013.