The balloons and ribbons were out in Ballylinan on Monday afternoon as a new pharmacy officially opened its doors for business.
Ballylinan Pharmacy is a new healthcare facility established by Claire Duggan and Fadi Almasri on the main street of the growing town.
Their hope for the pharmacy is to fill a gap in health services needed by the community of Ballylinan and surrounding areas.
A small town on the border of three counties with a population that has grown hugely over the past 10 years.
Claire, a native of Durrow and now living in Emo, has over 20 years community pharmacy experience.
Most recently Claire has worked in Stradbally for the last five years. Over the course of her tenure in Stradbally Claire met many people from the Ballylinan area who had to travel distances to access a pharmacy.
Fadi Al-masri is a native of Syria and living in Portlaoise for the past 10 years. He is already the proprietor of a thriving pharmacy in Ballon in Carlow.
Fadi has long recognised the need for such a facility in Ballylinan and has worked hard with Claire to make that a reality for the community.
Together with the support of the community Claire and Fadi hope to develop a service that will be a cornerstone for health in Ballylinan.
Claire and Fadi have invested in upgrading an existing unit to a modern and welcoming facility complete with a consulting room.
Also a key part of the team is Timahoe woman Deirdre McEvoy who is the shop floor manager.
To complement the normal prescription services, they hope to provide additional services such as flu and Covid vaccinations, blood pressure management (including rental of 24 hr Blood pressure monitor), chiropody service, blister-packing and BMI measurement and weight management service.
In recent years, the value of having a pharmacy in your local community has become more apparent.
Throughout the COVID pandemic, local pharmacies kept their doors open and remained on the frontline to meet their patients’ needs in a safe and accessible way. COVID also accelerated the rollout of healthmail which allows patients to get their prescriptions sent to a pharmacy by email that can negate the need for the patient to attend the doctors surgery to collect their prescription.
The official opening was done by legendary Ballylinan woman Anna May McHugh of National Ploughing Association fame.
“We were all asking to know what was going to be in this premises,” said Anna May in her speech.
“We heard there was going to be a pharmacy and we were delighted. We have a huge population here in Ballylinan and an ever growing one and even for people in surrounding areas I think a pharmacy will be a great convenience for all of us.
“It is up to each and every one of us to support it in any way we can. I never thought I’d see the day in my time – but we have It is wonderful to see a pharmacy in our village.
“It enhances the village for all of us. So many people have to go to Athy and Stradbally and further afield to get even a cough bottle or anything.
“I was delighted and honoured and privileged that Clare asked me to do the official opening and I do with great pleasure. I hope everything goes well for you.”
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