THE young men wanting to open a new pharmacy in Helensburgh are dreaming big.
Daniel Frame and Muaz Jamil are consulting with the NHS to open an independent pharmacy in the current newsagent at 1-3 East King Street.
The 26-year-olds, who met while studying at Robert Gordon University, want to put in a 24-hour prescription collection point, text-message service, and free deliveries to the patients who need them.
But their big plan is how they can prescribe. They returned to university to get extra qualifications. "Pharmacy First" allows examination and prescription if a pharmacist feels able within "clinical competence".
Daniel said he had worked in Helensburgh in the past and said there was a "a lot of need".
"We were down here and it's a lovely area - a great place to work," he said. "We want to facilitate primary care in the area again.
"We can bring a different dynamic, not just collecting and dispensing."
Chest or sinus infections, for example, could be diagnosed and treatment prescribed to help the NHS deal with minor ailments.
Muaz, from Motherwell, is currently working in Falkirk, while Daniel, from Lenzie, is based in Stirling. But both aim to move to Helensburgh. They have been attending monthly Helensburgh Community Council meetings for months getting up to speed on the needs of the area.
Boots retains the lease of the smaller shop they closed on Sinclair Street last year, sending thousands of patients to other pharmacies.
The Advertiser previously reported on the pressure faced by the other three stores in the town, which Muaz and Daniel cited as proof of the need in the area.
Daniel said although referred to as the "smaller Boots", it had an above the average for a pharmacy".
He said Boots made a "profit decision", not a provision one.
"That's really sad for the community," said Muaz, "because they have bore the brunt of it."
The area is expanding as well as having an aging population, said Daniel, so there was need as well as opportunity, particularly with new technology.
He said they wanted to build a rapport with the GP practice a few hundred yards away on East King Street. And it will allow them to "alleviate the pressure" on GP surgeries by having that prescribing ability.
The pair had been looking at job prospects, and Daniel was regularly down playing rugby with Glasgow Accies.
There are 12 GPs, six dentists and four opticians, but only three pharmacies, they pointed out.
"We can rattle off the figures but the public have to show they desire a new pharmacy," he added. "We spoke to the public and they highlighted the need and explained the pressures they were facing."
"I think people are leaving the area for pharmacy services. People shouldn't have to leave to get their prescription. It's people's health.
"This would be a genuine community pharmacy and bringing back what people actually need in the area.
"Helensburgh has been viable with four pharmacies for decades. The need is only going to grow."
Muaz added: "We really want to make a positive impact on the community. That's why we both did pharmacy - to help our patients."
The full NHS consultation lasts until early March and can be found online. More details can be found at a new Facebook page under "Helensburgh Pharmacy".
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