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When Dhara Desai entered the working world, she was not planning on a career in pharmacy. She started off studying a Bachelor of Commerce degree before immigrating to England from India. After working in other industries and making a move to Australia and back again, Dhara eventually found her way into the pharmacy, where she has been ever since.
Around the world and back again
“My degree gave me a strong academic foundation and an understanding of business and organisational skills,” says Dhara. “After graduating and moving to the UK, I worked full-time as a general operative at PepsiCo, gaining valuable experience in a fast-paced environment.”
This experience and the adaptability she built up by moving to Australia with her family meant Dhara was constantly adding to her skillset, strengthening her work ethic and her ability to think practically – important traits for anyone working in a pharmacy.
“These varied experiences prepared me well for the transition into pharmacy, where I would combine my background in organisation and teamwork with a growing passion for healthcare,” Dhara recalls.
After working part-time in manufacturing, Dhara was offered a role in County Pharmacy through a contact of a friend.
“What first attracted me to pharmacy was a mix of curiosity about how services worked and a desire to contribute meaningfully to healthcare,” she says.
“I started as a voluntary counter assistant, which gave me the foundation to build my career on. I have now been at my current branch for nearly 10 years.”
“The most rewarding aspect of my work is seeing the positive impact on patients’ health and wellbeing”
Team work
Dhara is a qualified pharmacy technician, and is training to become an accuracy checking technician, too.
She works with five other team members, and on what her current day-to-day looks like, she says: “I support pharmacists by helping to organise workflow and ensure smooth operations. We collaborate closely, which makes the workplace both efficient and enjoyable.”
Dhara is primarily involved in dispensing, stock management, solving queries, preparing dosette boxes and supporting on flu vaccinations, minor ailment advice, blood pressure, the Discharge Medicines Service and the New Medicine Service.
“Recruitment for these services often involves direct conversations with patients, explaining the benefits and encouraging participation,” she says.
Connection is key
Having discussions with customers has always been an important aspect of working in the pharmacy for Dhara, but increasingly it is becoming integral to delivering the standard of care communities now expect from their pharmacies.
“I know most of our customers by name, which I believe is very important,” she says. “It builds trust and strengthens the relationship between the pharmacy and the community.”
Coping with change
“Since I started working in pharmacy, I have seen many important changes,” Dhara says. “Pharmacies are no longer just places where people collect their medicines.
“Over the years, they have taken on a bigger role in community healthcare, offering services such as flu vaccinations, minor illness advice, and support for patients after leaving hospital.
This has made pharmacies more central to healthcare because patients can get help quickly without always needing to see a doctor. At the same time, the relationship between pharmacy staff and patients has grown stronger.
“Knowing customers by name and building trust has become an important part of the job.”
Luckily for Dhara, she is excited by the expanding possibilities that working in pharmacy offers. “What I enjoy most about my job is the direct impact on patients’ lives, whether through dispensing medication, offering advice, or simply being a familiar and trusted presence,” she says.
“My motivation comes from curiosity and gratitude. Curiosity about how services can improve, and gratitude from patients who benefit from them.
“Looking ahead, I hope to become more involved in community outreach and to expand my role in health awareness initiatives so that the pharmacy continues to be a place of support and education for local people.
“I recognise that one of the most challenging parts of my role is managing the high workload while maintaining the accuracy and care that patients depend on,” says Dhara.
“Despite these pressures, the most rewarding aspect of my work is seeing the positive impact on patients’ health and wellbeing.”
The twists and turns along the way to landing up in community pharmacy only strengthened Dhara’s skillset, which she continues to build on daily in her busy role in the pharmacy.
“Over the years, I have built many special memories in the pharmacy, especially through the relationships I have formed with customers and colleagues,” she says.
“These connections, and the appreciation shown by patients and colleagues, remind me every day why I chose this profession and why I continue to feel motivated in it.”
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In Practice