The Truth About Pharmacy Ownership in Scotland

In this episode, we step into the Reality Stage, where the excitement of pharmacy ownership fades and the real challenges begin.

Our guest, Emmanuel Umezulike, is a pharmacist and pharmacy contractor who has owned pharmacies in Scotland for nearly two years. Having lived, studied, and practiced in Scotland for over 11 years, Emmanuel shares honest insight into pharmacy ownership within the Scottish funding and contract system and how different it is from England.

We discuss:

• How Emmanuel went from never considering ownership to running two pharmacies

• Going into ownership without guidance and learning on the job

• How NHS Scotland funding works, including advance payments and activity-based income

• Why understanding your numbers and adding services matters

• The realities of staffing, operations, and building the right team

• The personal and mental toll of ownership in the first year

• Whether pharmacy ownership is still a good business in Scotland and England

This episode is a real, practical conversation for pharmacists considering ownership, new owners navigating chaos, and anyone curious about the business side of pharmacy.

🎧 Listen now and step into the reality stage of pharmacy ownership.

Before You Buy a Pharmacy | The Real Buying Journey.

In this episode, we explore the real and often overlooked journey of buying a pharmacy.

Opeyemi Lasore shares her honest experience navigating the process from long timelines and funding challenges to emotional pressure, fear, and critical decision-making.

This conversation breaks down what first-time pharmacy buyers rarely prepare for, including:

• The importance of due diligence (and knowing when not to overdo it).

• Why clearly defining your “why” matters before taking the leap.

• The emotional and mental demands of the buying process.

• Funding realities and navigating bank processes.

• The role of support systems, partnerships, and patience.

• Key lessons learned, fears faced, and strategies for staying intentional

Whether you’re actively considering pharmacy ownership or still exploring the idea, this episode offers practical insight, honest lessons, and guidance to help you make informed decisions before taking the leap.

What really happens after you sell your pharmacy?

In this honest and reflective episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond, Solomon Abuede shares the emotional, financial, and leadership lessons that followed the sale of two of his pharmacy branches.

From the initial relief to rebuilding stronger than ever, Solomon reveals the business mistakes, mindset shifts, and systems that transformed how he runs his pharmacies today.

You’ll learn:

• Why “cash is king”, and how poor cash flow can destroy a good business
• How to prepare your pharmacy for sale long before you need to
• The difference between managing and measuring your business
• Why fewer branches can sometimes mean more profit
• How these lessons inspired the creation of DOTA Consulting

This episode is packed with real stories and hard-earned insights every pharmacy owner should hear, whether you’re just starting out, scaling up, or thinking about selling.

Listen now to learn how to prepare, plan, and future-proof your pharmacy, so you can grow with confidence and avoid the mistakes that cost others years of stress.

Follow @_BTCPodcast on Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook for real stories and lessons from behind the counter.

Selling a pharmacy isn’t just about handing over the keys; it’s a journey full of hidden challenges, emotional decisions, and financial lessons that most owners never see coming. In this episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond, host Solomon Abuede shares his firsthand experience of selling a pharmacy, pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes.

From the stress of negotiations and legal paperwork to the emotional rollercoaster of letting go, Solomon walks you through the mistakes, surprises, and lessons learned that every pharmacy owner needs to know before starting the process. You’ll discover:

• The biggest myths about selling a pharmacy (and what’s actually true)

• How to avoid costly pitfalls during the sale process

• The emotional impact no one prepares you for

• Practical strategies to make the transition smoother and protect your future

Whether you’re actively preparing to sell, just starting your ownership journey, or curious about what the end of the road looks like, this episode gives you honest, real-world insights you won’t find in a textbook.

For pharmacy owners who want expert guidance, check out DOTA Consulting helping independent contractors buy, grow, and sell pharmacies with confidence.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcast & YouTube.

Follow @_BTCPodcast across all platforms, and remember: the best prescription for success is resilience.

Join Solomon Abuede on "Behind the Counter Pharmacy and Beyond" as he reveals the untold story of overcoming a challenging year in the pharmacy business.

Discover actionable insights on managing financial pressures, staffing issues, and supply chain disruptions.

Whether you're a pharmacy owner or a small business entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons in resilience and strategic growth.

Don't miss out—listen now and transform your business approach!

#PharmacySuccess #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurTips

Managing staff can make or break your pharmacy, and I've learned that the hard way.

In this episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond, I open up about the toughest staffing mistakes I've made: from hiring people who weren't the right fit to losing some of the best team members we ever had. I share what went wrong, what it cost us, and how we rebuilt with purpose.

Inside this episode:

✅ Why "everyone is replaceable" is a dangerous myth

✅ How poor accountability shaped our company culture

✅ The role of "burden bearers" and how to protect them

✅ My three biggest staffing mistakes (and what I'd do differently)

✅ The team balance every pharmacy business needs: visionaries, doers, & fixers

Whether you're building a pharmacy team or struggling with staff management, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you tools to build a stronger business.

🎧 Listen now and don't forget to follow @_BTCPodcast on all platforms.

In this eye-opening episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond, I’m joined by Bushra Effendi, Advanced Pharmacist, menopause specialist, and founder of a thriving private clinic. Together, we dive deep into the uncomfortable truth: women’s health is still being sidelined in mainstream healthcare.

From the lack of menopause training to the rise of private clinics, we unpack why pharmacists are stepping up to fill the gaps. Bushra shares her personal story, the barriers she’s faced, and her advice for pharmacists wanting to make a bigger impact. Whether you’re thinking about offering private services or wish to understand the future of pharmacy, this conversation will leave you fired up and inspired.

👉 Don’t forget to follow @_BTCPodcast on all platforms.

🎧 Listen now. Share it forward. The change starts here.

#PharmacyBusiness #WomensHealth #MenopauseCare #IndependentPharmacy #PharmacyPodcast

In this candid and compelling episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond, host Solomon Abuede sits down with Tohidul Islam, pharmacist, whistleblower, and founder of The Pharmacist Cooperative (TPC), to discuss the hidden challenges and opportunities facing both locum pharmacists and pharmacy owners.

From battling unfair work conditions and threats, to challenging complacency in pharmacy hiring and marketing, Tohidul delivers hard-hitting insights. We unpack:

• The tension between locum pharmacists and contractors
• Why underpaying your team could be killing your business growth
• The business cost (and return) of better pay and respect
• How pharmacies can market private services ethically and profitably

Whether you’re a pharmacy contractor, independent locum, or pharmacy graduate, this episode will challenge your assumptions and empower you to drive change.

Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube!

Got a pharmacy challenge? DM @_BTCPodcast. Your question might be next episode’s discussion starter!

#podcast #healthcareleadership #pharmacypodcast #communitypharmacy #shorts #independentpharmacy

Is pharmacy still a sustainable business in 2025? What does the new NHS contract mean for independent contractors, and how can we survive, adapt, and thrive?

In this powerful guest episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond, host Solomon Abuede is joined by Ashley Cohen, a seasoned pharmacy contractor and board member of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Chair of Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire (CPWY). Together, they unpack the real impact of the new contract, what independent pharmacies must do to stay competitive, and the evolving role of pharmacies in UK healthcare.

Expect honest conversation, hard-won lessons, and practical insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

In this episode:

• Ashley’s journey as a multi-branch pharmacy owner
• What the new NHS contract means for independents
• How to future-proof your pharmacy business
• The growing importance of clinical services & prescribing
• Advice for new and seasoned contractors alike

This episode is a must-listen for pharmacy professionals, owners, and anyone curious about the future of the sector.

👉 Subscribe, share, and follow @_BTCPodcast on all platforms.

In Part 2 of our deep dive into The Pharmacy Numbers Game, we go beyond the NHS contract and get real about what’s actually draining your pharmacy’s profit, and how to stop it.

This episode covers the full breakdown of the silent margin killers hiding in plain sight, from unpaid deliveries to the hidden cost of NOMAD trays, under-claimed services, and rising staff costs.

Pharmacy isn’t broken, but you need to play smart. In this raw and practical episode, I share personal insights, practical fixes, and lessons learned after 14 years of pharmacy ownership.

If you’re tired of working harder and earning less… this one is for you.

🎧 Hit follow, subscribe, and share, and if you haven’t heard Part 1, go back and listen now!