History

Kennedy’s Pharmacy initially opened for business on 10^th February 1997. The pharmacy opened on the site of the former public house, “The Shilleleagh”; it was the first pharmacy in Rasharkin and initially opened with a staff of one pharmacist and two part-time members of staff. Over the following years, the pharmacy developed to such an extent that when the house beside the pharmacy became vacant in August 2001, it was decided to extend and consequently refurbish the pharmacy.

At the beginning of June 2002, the pharmacy was temporarily moved into a portakabin to allow building work to commence. The builders, NK Construction of Portglenone, completed the work on schedule and the shop fitters (Retail Review) moved in on Monday 21^st October. Retail Review completed their work on the following Saturday and thanks to the hard work of staff, family and friends, the pharmacy was cleaned, stocked and open for business on Monday 28^th October 2002.

 

Staffing has now increased to two pharmacists (Patrick Kennedy and Julie Ritchie), four full-time members of staff (Pat Crawford, Wendy Loughlin, Lorraine Mooney and Ann McAleese) and six part-time members of staff (Ruth Ferguson, Caitriona Hasson, Dympna McAfee, Leanne McErlaine, Margaret McShannock and Pauline Quigg).

The staff have all completed or are in the process of completing a pharmacy training programme called “Pharmacy Interact”. With Kennedy’s Pharmacy having a strong focus on herbal medicines, two of the staff have completed the “Bioforce Phytotherapy (Herbal Medicines) Course”.  

Patrick recognises the value of his staff and would like to pay tribute to their commitment to Kennedy’s Pharmacy and their commitment to helping the health and well-being of the patients and customers they serve each day. This commitment has been recognised further a field with the pharmacy receiving a number of prizes at the annual Pharmacy of the Year Awards.

The refurbishment has allowed the pharmacy to add a Consultation Room, which is currently in use by a podiatrist, reflexologist, aromatherapist and food sensitivity specialist; patients and customers can telephone the pharmacy for details of appointment bookings etc. The consultation room is also in use for a wide range of professional pharmacy services such as Medicines Management and our Smoking Cessation Counselling Programme.