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Raymond Kelly, an award-winning pharmacist from Glasgow, has restored the historic Liquorstane Building in Falkland and turned it into a modern-day pharmacy serving rural communities, using a £750,000 refinance loan from Unity Trust Bank. The once derelict 19th century building in Fife now has Raymond's Lomond Pharmacy on the ground floor while the top floor has been revamped as holiday let apartments. Raymond, who was named Scottish Pharmacist of the Year as a manager at Rowlands Group before opening his own pharmacies in Falkland, Kinglassie and Charlston, also used part of the funding to expand healthcare provision for a local aging population. He runs the pharmacy alongside business partner Audrey McAnaw, three dispensers and two drivers, delivering much-needed frontline services for surrounding villages as well as tourists coming to the picturesque area, where 'Outlander' movie was filmed.

Southdowns Pharmacy was honoured for its outstanding efforts to uphold patient safety standards, particularly in the dispensing of valproate, at the recent Independent Pharmacy Association (IPA) Ball 2024 in London. Expressing his joy upon receiving the IPA Patient Safety Award, Nemesh Patel, Managing Director of the Southdowns Pharmacy Group, said: "IPA is an organisation that represents thousands of independent pharmacies, and to achieve such recognition is truly humbling and exciting at the same time. "Our teams work exceptionally hard for their patients and to be recognised amongst hundreds of other pharmacies is truly wonderful." Southdowns Pharmacy Group serves the communities of Emsworth, Havant, Leigh Park, and Rowlands Castle in East Hampshire. Patient Safety Initiatives When asked about the initiatives that earned this accolade, Nemesh explained: "Our teams have completed several audits over the past 24 months to identify patients taking valproate products who may become pregnant. "Pharmacists, including myself, have engaged with these patients to discuss the risks associated with taking valproate during pregnancy."