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Thorrun Govind's journey in pharmacy is deeply influenced by her South Asian heritage, with a Punjabi mother and a Gujarati father shaping her professional path. She reflects on this influence: "I think my heritage has influenced my journey to become a pharmacist because there are a number of well-known and recognized figures in pharmacy who come from a South Asian background." "I think there's a tradition of hard work in my heritage. Additionally, many businesspeople in the community have also been a key influence. This entrepreneurial aspect has influenced my desire to pursue a career in pharmacy. It was always something I saw as part of my identity." Currently, Thorrun practices as both a pharmacist and a healthcare lawyer. She provides legal support to fellow pharmacists, including assistance with fitness to practice proceedings and business transactions. In June 2024, Thorrun joined Brabners' regulatory & professional conduct team, further expanding her role in the sector. Her journey, however, has not been without its challenges.

A snap survey conducted by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) revealed that over half of community pharmacy teams have felt unsafe in the past week due to ongoing riots across the country. The survey, which included responses from approximately 350 community pharmacies, also found that one in three pharmacies had considered closing because of safety concerns, while 13 per cent of pharmacy teams reported experiencing racist comments during this period. According to the NPA, over 40 per cent of pharmacists are of South Asian, Black, or other ethnic minority backgrounds, with the majority of independent community pharmacy owners believed to be of South Asian heritage. The association reports that businesses had been vandalised during the riots, leading some pharmacies to reduce their opening hours or close entirely, following advice from the police and local authorities. Despite a recent decline in disorder over the last few days, police have been advised to remain on high alert over the weekend.

"I hope one day there will be a network of Nepali Pharmacists who can share their experiences and provide support to each other," shares Sobha Sharma Kandel, Co-Founder, CEO, and Superintendent Pharmacist of Neem Tree Health. As a daughter of Nepali Immigrants who came to the UK in the early 70's, Sobha grew up witnessing first-hand the struggle her parents went through navigating the complexities of healthcare in this country. Today as a renowned pharmacist with a profound impact on her community, her contributions reflect her deep understanding of "the challenges and barriers that the South Asian community can face". Sobha's early experiences with frequent pharmacy visits due to tonsillitis also triggered a deep fascination with medicines and their impact on improving lives. "I visited pharmacies often to buy over the counter medication and to collect my prescription for antibiotics. This triggered my fascination with medicines. "I considered Pharmacy as a career in sixth form, after I had an interesting work experience in the Pharmacy department at Hammersmith Hospital," she recalls.