Community pharmacists sisters Anita and Alison Rooney set up Pond Park Pharmacy in Lisburn, 25 years ago, and it has been a success in the community. They have noticed many changes over the years including pressures on supply and demand, increase in the variety of medicines available and rising prices. Anita said: “I suppose the biggest thing [that] people in the community would notice are the schemes, pharmacists are providing more services to people and that is an attempt to elevate pressures on GP services.” The Pharmacy First service is one scheme, which allows community pharmacists to provide treatment for minor conditions such as headlice, scabies and threadworm. You do not need to book an appointment in Pond Park, they have four pharmacists in the practice and you can usually be seen quickly. Anita invested in a robot to help with the dispensing of medication. This allows the pharmacists more flexibility and time to talk to each patient.