In this episode of the Pharmacy Ownership Series, we dive into one of the most pressing challenges facing community pharmacy today time.

As dispensing volumes increase and operational costs continue to rise, many pharmacy owners are finding themselves trapped in a system that prioritizes workload over value. But what if the real problem isn’t just funding but how time is being spent?

We explore the Hub & Spoke model, a system designed to separate dispensing from patient-facing services — allowing pharmacies to operate more efficiently while creating capacity for growth.

Through this conversation, we break down:

• What Hub & Spoke really means in practice

• The advantages and operational efficiencies it can bring

• The financial realities behind the model (costs, margins, and trade-offs)
• Why “more items” does not always equal “more profit”
• The importance of workflow, structure, and internal SOPs
• How pharmacy owners can rethink their business model beyond dispensing

This episode also challenges traditional thinking, highlighting why pharmacy can no longer be viewed as just a “corner shop” and why adapting to change is no longer optional.

Whether you’re an aspiring pharmacy owner, an established contractor, or simply interested in the future of healthcare delivery, this conversation offers valuable insight into where the industry is heading.

Key takeaway:
Outsourcing doesn’t create money it creates capacity. What you do with that capacity is what determines your growth.

In this episode of Beyond the Counter Pharmacy and Beyond, hosts Solomon Abuede and our guest Qammar Nazir dive deep into the realities of pharmacy ownership. With nearly two decades of experience, Qammar Nazir, Managing Director of Ascent Welfield Group, shares the lessons, challenges, and personal sacrifices behind growing from a locum pharmacist to the owner of over 50 pharmacies.

From the early days of saving and taking calculated risks, to navigating partnerships, managing cash flow, and building a supportive team, Qammar’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, strategic thinking, and passion-driven growth.

He opens up about:

• The importance of choosing purpose over profit

• Why partnerships should be based on merit, not friendship

• The critical need to agree on exit plans before entering a partnership

• Lessons learned from nearly 20 years in pharmacy ownership, including the personal cost of time, stress, and constant operational challenges

• How to scale successfully without losing control or compromising your values

Whether you’re a pharmacist, aspiring business owner, or simply curious about what it takes to grow and sustain a business in a challenging industry, this episode offers practical insights, cautionary advice, and inspiration to navigate your own journey.

🎧 Tune in to discover the strategies, mindset, and sacrifices behind nearly 20 years in pharmacy ownership.

What does it take to keep a pharmacy running for over a decade?

In this episode, we sit with our guest Temi, a Superintendent Pharmacist and pharmacy owner with over ten years of experience. He shares an honest look at what it takes to survive, grow, and thrive in pharmacy ownership from the first challenging years of starting from zero, worrying about paying suppliers, to building systems that allowed sustainable growth and expansion.

We discuss everything it really takes customer experience, stock management, leadership, teamwork, professionalism, financial strategy, reinvesting profits, and maintaining faith through tough seasons. Temi also shares lessons learned from his brother and mentors, showing how seeking counsel early could have saved time, money, and stress.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How Temi survived the toughest first 2 years of pharmacy ownership

• Why pharmacy isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme purpose matters more than profit

• The importance of leadership over just management

•How teamwork and professional systems help scale the business

• Reinvesting profits to grow and sustain multiple branches

• Lessons in resilience and relying on faith to push through challenges

• Seeking guidance and learning from those who’ve gone ahead

• How putting patients first drives both fulfillment and business success

• Key financial and strategic decisions that made a difference

🎙️ Listen now and discover the mindset, strategies, and lessons that kept a pharmacy thriving for 10 years.