Pharmacist John looking to the future after taking over Eildon chemist

John McDougall, a community pharmacist for the last 20 years, has taken over Eildon Pharmacy, having worked there since 2013.

“This is more of a business change rather than a change of pharmacist,” John, 43, said.

I took over the post when the old pharmacist, John Pollock, retired around seven years ago. The pharmacy and shop was bought by John Currie then, and I worked as the pharmacist for him for years.”

John, now at the helm, employs one full-time and five part-time staff, as well as his wife Rosemary.

The couple, now living in Lauder, worked in Newcastle before moving back nearer to Rosemary’s home-town of Duns seven years ago.

“We don’t plan any imminent changes at the moment, but we are hoping, in time, that an ideal scenario would be for us to move building to somewhere with more space and somewhere less restrictive,” added John.

“We will stay in Newtown and won’t be going away, but we would like to get somewhere bigger and better.

“We are currently tucked up a side street in the village with not much of street presence.”

As the only pharmacy in the village, his business is heavily relied upon by customers and more so than ever during the coronavirus lockdown.

John added: “Newtown and Melrose surgeries are linked, and we collect prescriptions from Earlston as well.

“We cover Newtown, St Boswells and the surrounding areas like Lilliesleaf too. We do deliveries locally and further away, especially just now.

“With coronavirus, we’ve had to expand that delivery coverage and are doing our best to help out.”

The pharmacy’s sale was completedthanks to a funding package from Unity Trust Bank aimed at supporting local communities and healthcare services.

John said: “Unity Trust Bank is a good fit for a community pharmacy likes ours due to their mission to create a better society and their commitment to positively contribute to the community.”