Holbeach pharmacist Timothy Kujiyat launches Kadel Pharmacy which aims to tackle long medication waits experienced by patients

A pharmacist has set up an online business which aims to save patients long waits to receive vital medication.

Holbeach man Timothy Kujiyat has launched Kadel Pharmacy which aims to deliver people’s prescriptions within 48 hours.

Earlier this year, we reported on the difficulties experienced by many patients in south Lincolnshire - with some waiting more than ten days to receive their medication - due to the high demand and a lack of pharmacy cover.

But Timothy is offering a new service from a unit in Holbeach which is hoped to change that - along with offering speedier diagnosis for minor conditions.

Patients in Spalding, Gedney, Moulton, Sutton Bridge, Long Sutton and Holbeach are able to request a prescription and can elect to collect it or have it brought to their door - providing a more simple method to help elderly and vulnerable people in the community.

Mr Kujiyat said: “I know what it means to meet the expectations of patients, especially the elderly and a lot of things are moving away from the old ways of coming to the surgery and ticking the boxes on paper prescriptions.

“The NHS is encouraging this to make things simple for patients and there are quite a lot of online pharmacies already.

“Everything is packed up and sent with a delivery driver who works for the pharmacy and the delivery driver is the face of the pharmacy going house-to-house.”

Having worked in the closed Lloyds pharmacy in Spalding. Mr Kujiyat saw first-hand the inconvenience caused when patients had travel to collect their prescription only for it not to be ready and they would have to make a return trip.

Mr Kujiyat said: “The elderly and vulnerable can’t always come out to a high street pharmacy. I saw patients coming into the pharmacy and it not being ready in the next seven days and I was touched by that.

“The main difference is that they request or order a prescription from the comfort of their home and a friendly face comes to the patient's home.

“Medication is delivered straight to the patient's house and they can hand over out-of-date medications to be returned.”

Mr Kujiyat who is a family man and committed Christian, has shown this by combining the names of his children Kadmiel and Elzira to create the monika Kadel Pharmacy.

He qualified as a pharmacist in Nigeria and moved to the UK in 2010, completing a conversion course to practice.

Mr Kujiyat completed his pre registration in Crowland and previously worked as a pharmacy manager in Peterborough for around eight years and in a GP practice as a clinical pharmacist.

He feels that communication with the elderly and vulnerable is essential in developing a good relationship with the community.

Mr Kujiyat said: “Being community minded is very important to me and we are strong Christians.

“Everything is not just about making money but about service.

“Doing good is at the heart and the forefront of what we do - going above and beyond.”

He added that the online business has advantages for patients.

Mr Kujiyat said: “The advantages of having smaller online pharmacies with a dedicated driver is that it is somebody local.

“If it is an elderly patient who needs five minutes to walk to the door the driver forms that relationship with the patient.

“So it is a known face and they know who it is and gives peace of mind”

Online pharmacies and the introduction of telemedicine can also help to diagnose patients quicker.

He said: “The other aspect is minor ailments and conditions such as a UTI (urinary tract infection) or common ailments can be assessed over the phone.

“This is helpful for elderly people specifically where they can click a link and speak face to face. We are professionals so we know if it sounds serious and can advise on other ways such as drinking plenty of fluids

“If all a patient needed was a three day antibiotic we can assess them without them having to go to their GP and it is just one phone call.”

The pharmacy is contractually obliged to respond to emergency needs across the UK where necessary and is also aiming to work with local care homes.

Patients can set themselves up on the website by providing basic information to receive the service.

He added: “Basic things can be handled in a community pharmacy setting and having worked closely with GPs I know what it means to signpost patients to get proper help.”

Visit www.kadelpharmacy.co.uk for further information.

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