Our Story
How a young Swindon pharmacist saved a community pharmacy and gave it a fresh start.
A Community Without a Pharmacy
In late 2025, the residents of Okus and Old Town in Swindon found themselves without a reliable pharmacy. The previous operator, Jhoots Pharmacy, had been plagued by staffing shortages, stock issues, and unexpected closures — leaving patients struggling to access their prescriptions and basic health services.
Phones went unanswered. Shelves sat empty. The pharmacy closed unexpectedly on 7 November 2025, leaving the community without a local pharmacy service. Local MP Heidi Alexander took up the cause, writing to Jhoots' CEO and supporting a petition signed by hundreds of residents demanding better services.
A Fresh Start
When Allied Pharmacies acquired 68 Jhoots branches nationwide in December 2025, 28-year-old Swindon-born pharmacist Tanvir Ali saw his opportunity. A University of Nottingham graduate with four years of experience at Boots and health hubs across Wiltshire, Bristol, and Gloucester, Tanvir had always dreamed of opening his own pharmacy — and serving his own community.
He purchased the Okus branch from Allied Pharmacies and set about transforming it. Stock was replenished, opening hours were restored, and a reliable dispensing team was put in place. The pharmacy reopened in early February 2026 under its new name: Okus Pharmacy & Health Clinic.
The Grand Opening
On 23 February 2026, Tanvir celebrated the pharmacy's official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander, local dignitaries, friends, and family. The event marked a turning point for the community.
As Heidi Alexander noted: “After a lot of work and pressure over the past year, I'm pleased that pharmacy services in Old Town seem to be turning a corner.”
Looking Forward
Today, Okus Pharmacy & Health Clinic offers a full range of NHS and private health services — from prescription dispensing and Pharmacy First to travel vaccinations, B12 wellness injections, and a weight loss clinic. The pharmacy welcomes ideas and suggestions from the community about new services that could help meet local needs.
What started as a rescue mission has become something much bigger: a modern, community-focused pharmacy built on trust, reliability, and genuine care.