The friendly faces at Libra
Frequent clients of Libra Pharmacy in Landdros Maré Street already know
Matthew Lewellyn’s friendly face as he joined the pharmacy in January 2021.
The pharmacy, first opened by Etienne Malherbe, was bought over by the Arrie
Nel Pharmacy Group in 2020 and wellknown pharmacist Garth Owen stayed on as pharmacist until he passed away last year. More recently sister Teresa van Deventer also joined the pharmacy as the clinic sister.
Together Matthew and Teresa run the pharmacy like a well-oiled machine.
Matthew’s parents were pharmacists and he followed in their footsteps by completing this Bachelors degree in pharmacy at the North-West University Potchefstroom campus.
“I am now a student at the University of Limpopo, Mankweng campus completing my medical degree. I moved to Polokwane in 2018 and worked at various pharmacies and hospitals in the city.” Matthew plans to open his own general practice after he completes his degree in two years.
Teresa completed her studies at SG
Lourens Nursing College in Pretoria and worked at various clinics in the city until she joined Libra Pharmacy.
Her love for children and the opportunity to spoil them, keeps her going. “I love happy patients and will walk the extra mile for my clients. It sometimes is difficult to keep everyone happy.”
Teresa says even though she was mostly in the laboratories on duty during the Covid-19 waves, it was still difficult to learn of a patient’s death and she had to be a shoulder for mourning families to cry on.
As a clinic sister, her duties include testing blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, HIV/aids, all health and medical
aid assessments, family planning, baby immunisations and vitamins.
Matthew manages the store and is the pharmacist on duty, although they sometimes make use of locums to assist.
The pharmacy has a big client basis that depends on their WhatsApp communication system and free delivery system.
The pharmacy is open every day but is closed on public holidays and Sundays. Safe parking next to the pharmacy is available as well.
Patients can also look forward to free clinic services on Wednesday mornings. These include free blood pressure and glucose testing.