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.

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