Western Heights pharmacy takes out top prize

It's been an eventful few months for Unichem Western Heights pharmacist Owen Roberts - his business was named New Zealand's top community pharmacy at the same time as he handed over the reins to it after 33 years.

But with the Brookland Rd pharmacy sold to his daughter and son-in-law Julie and Cameron Monteith, both pharmacists, Mr Roberts will still be around to keep an eye on things.

In June, Unichem Western Heights was named runner-up for the Pharmacy Guild Community Pharmacy of the Year award, voted for by customers nationwide. With 253 pharmacies taking part, that in itself was a great achievement.

But it was to get better.

A programming error at survey company AC Nielsen meant some data had been attributed to the wrong pharmacies.

After a re-count Unichem Western Heights was promoted to joint winner with original winner Kamo's David's Pharmacy.

"It's a great way to finish the 33 years of ownership," Mr Roberts said. "I'm very happy."

He said the award reinforced that his customers were well-looked after and getting the service they needed.

"A lot of it's down to our staff, all credit to them."

The pharmacy opened in 1958 and Mr Roberts bought it in 1980, when it was located a few stores up from its current location.

He said his four children all worked in the pharmacy growing up, but Julie was the only one who went on to study pharmacy after leaving Western Heights High School. While working in England, she met and married Australian Mr Monteith, and about a year ago the couple returned to Rotorua with a plan to eventually take over the family business.

On June 1, it officially became theirs, although Mr Roberts is still working part-time. "It's a wonderful opportunity ... a well-established business to get our teeth into," Mr Monteith said.

He said the people of Western Heights deserved the high level of care they had been getting.

"Owen has been absolutely crucial to that," he said. "I have heard the nickname 'the mayor of Western Heights' several times ... he's extremely well-regarded and well-respected."

With his wife on maternity leave, Mr Monteith knows he has big shoes to fill, but said he is determined to maintain his father-in-law's award-winning standards.

Mr Roberts will be presented with his trophy by Health Minister Tony Ryall in Wellington on August 22.