Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month 2024

Pharmacy Press

This month we celebrate South Asian Heritage Month, a time to honor the cultural contributions of South Asian communities in England.

At Community Pharmacy England, we recognise our colleagues’ diverse journeys and experiences in community pharmacy and their significant contributions to our sector.

In honour of this and this year’s theme, “Free to Be Me,”  C+D shared the following reflections from Prakash Patel, a dedicated pharmacist and committee member.

Prakash Patel, Community Pharmacy England Committee Member and Regional Representative for North London (and chairman of the Northeast London LPC) said:

“This month for me is a time for reflection and celebration as well as an opportunity to honour the contributions of South Asians in various fields, including pharmacy. It’s a moment to appreciate our shared history, cultural heritage, and the impact we’ve made in our communities.

I have been a dedicated community pharmacist for 42 years. My career began in a dispensary on weekends before I qualified as a pharmacist. For the past four decades, I have been committed to helping East London, a region that’s seen significant healthcare challenges. When I opened my first pharmacy in Whitechapel, it was a deprived area with a diverse population, including Bengali, Indian, Jewish, Irish, Polish, English, and other ethnicities. In the late 70s and early 80s, Whitechapel was considered a no-go area, but I chose to set up my pharmacy there despite limited resources. We worked tirelessly to serve our local area and continue to do so.

In celebration of South Asian Heritage Month, I am participating in cultural community events while continuing to mentor younger pharmacists from similar backgrounds. My daughters are now qualified pharmacists also, I share my experiences and encourage them to embrace their heritage with pride.

To my fellow South Asian colleagues in community pharmacy: Your dedication, compassion, and hard work really makes a difference to the lives of those we serve. Our shared heritage is a source of strength and inspiration. Let’s continue to uphold the values of integrity, service, and excellence that are the hallmarks of our culture.”

Coverage

My reflections on pharmacy during South Asian Heritage Month | C+D