Charing pharmacy innovation 'the first in Kent'

An automated dispensing point installed at the Charing Practice & Pharmacy represents a major investment by the centre, providing significant benefits for the business and more than 11,000 patients and customers in Charing and the surrounding villages.

The automated dispenser is believed to be one of the first to be installed in Kent to ensure accurate and fast provision of patients’ medication.

The Charing Practice & Pharmacy invited Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Executive Leader of Ashford Borough Council and the Ward Member for Charing, to officially unveil the dispenser and to try it out for himself.

Pharmacy Superintendent Mr Uma Gajendran explained to Cllr Clarkson that the main benefit for patients is that they can collect prescriptions outside regular pharmacy opening hours, seven days a week. Free and easy to use, patients can receive a six digit pin-code via text, email or the Pharmaself24 app.

The dispenser, located in an external wall of the pharmacy, accepts credit and debit card payments, where payment needs to be made, with a receipt being sent by text message.

Cllr Clarkson said: “I know from personal experience that this practice and pharmacy provides an essential service not only to the people of Charing but also for those living in more rural communities for many miles around. The partners and staff who work here must be commended for continuing to find new ways of serving their patients.”

Business Manager Kay Acott said: “We’re delighted to have invested in this new service for our patients. We appreciate working people cannot always get to the pharmacy during opening hours so it’s important we offer those patients the convenience of being able to pick up their medication at a time that suits them.”

For more information about the practice and pharmacy visit the Charing practice website and for details on the dispensing point and how it works, including a short video, visit Pharmaself24 online.