Innovative pharmacist wins national award

A CAIRNS pharmacist has taken out a national award for innovative and unique practices as well as professionalism and leadership efforts.

Pease St’s Wholehealth Pharmacy & Healthfoods’ clinical and managing pharmacist Aylin Ektem said being named Pharmacist of the Year 2018 last week at the national Discount Drug Store conference on the Gold Coast recently was a wonderful way to be recognised.

“The pharmacy has won an award before, but this is something personal for me,” Ms Ektem said.

“We do really well in aged care and taking care of aged care facilities – we have got a new contract for a centre which opens at end of the year. And we won a new contract at the end of last year.

“Compounding is one of the best achievements here though. We make up medications for unique needs – for unusual medicines, for veterinarian uses, for children, a whole range of things people can’t access easily.”

Ms Ektem started working at a pharmacy after school in Smithfield and was made a junior employee before heading to university.

She has worked at the Manoora store for seven of her eight year career.

“I love talking to people and ... building relationships with people,” she said. “It is rewarding knowing our clients and being able to help them.”

Ms Ektem’s professional, clinical, natural health and nutritional services have become the way forward for many pharmacists over recent years.