Alitam is bolstering its formidable pharmacy network with the addition of McNallys pharmacy group, Ireland.
Comprising five stores and over 30 staff members, McNallys is the epitome of trust and professionalism, and has secured a special place in the hearts of thousands of locals. Owner David McNally, who founded the company at just 26 years old, has grown the business to a five-strong presence in 14 years. He lays his success firmly at the door of customer service, “We push customer excellence at every opportunity. This is our specialism and the reason for our impressive results. Now, as part of Alitam, and with the implemented NextGen technology, we can take this to the next level.”
Commitment to the customer
David has pioneered a standard of customer service previously unseen in his local pharmacy sector. McNallys is the only pharmacy in Ireland to open 365 days a year, and are available round the clock. No wonder they were nominated for the ‘Community Pharmacy of the Year’ award in 2019. “If you need us,” says David, “even on Christmas day, you can call and we’ll open the store for you.”
David and his team regularly go the extra mile for their loyal customers, quite literally, “We’d often drop off people’s shopping, even before the pandemic. But now, of course, people can rely on us more than ever. We exist
to serve our community and, unless we get that right, we don’t feel we are doing our jobs as pharmacists.”
Says Alitam Founder, Feisal Nahaboo, “David McNally is a prized addition to our already exceptional team. He brings a unique combination of entrepreneurial skills and future-focus, with an instinctive ability to build customer loyalty. This goes to the heart of the ‘Pharmacy of the Future’ concept; where we position pharmacies as the trusted ‘hubs of health’ in their local communities. Championing the critical role pharmacists play within the healthcare system, allowing each business to reach its full potential and help their neighbourhoods to the best health and wellness possible.”
‘More freedom to care’
Germane to David’s ethos of customer service, is his belief in the power of technology. Not as a replacement for human contact, but rather as a way of deepening it. Says David, “Technology gives us more freedom to care. It makes us more efficient, thus giving us more time to engage fully with customers, helping them interpret results and find the appropriate remedies. This is incredibly reassuring and helpful for customers, and it relieves the pressure on GP surgeries and other NHS services.”
David’s pharmacies are already at the forefront of a drive to empower customers, offering innovations such as vitamin D and STD tests. McNallys runs a successful ‘video pharmacy’ and app, meaning customers no longer need to leave their home in order to benefit from their pharmacist’s expert guidance. And the rewards of being part of Alitam, with a highly driven and experienced management team behind him, are clear, “I’m very excited about the network of excellence I can build now. We can invest in technology which transforms our interactions with customers; we can reach significant economies of scale and share best practice learnings. We can build a reputable brand of ‘in house’ products in which people can have complete faith. We can serve our communities more effectively than we ever imagined. And really help people lead the best lives they can.”
