Before selling the business it was important for the pair to find a buyer who would carry on the history, legacy and values of Inverell Pharmacy.

“Inverell Pharmacy goes back to the 1800s, I think it was originally established in 1878. We bought it in 1999, when it was in Otho Street where Brumby’s is now,” David said.

In their 19 years of business in Inverell, the pair acquired Ling’s Pharmacy and later Scardoni’s Pharmacy. In 2004 Inverell Pharmacy relocated to its current location on Byron Street and a few years later they decided to roll all three stores into one.

A milestone for the Inverell Pharmacy was when ‘Connie’, a robotic dispensing system, was installed in 2014. “There isn’t many in Australia. We’d be the only one in the area with one,” David said.

For two years running, 2016 and 2017, the store was named Pharmacy Catalyst Pharmacy of the Year in recognition of its extra pharmacists on hand and unique approach to professional-based care.

David and Michelle were pleased when John Douglas agreed to purchase the Inverell Pharmacy, adding his values were aligned exactly with theirs.

John said his family opened their first pharmacy in 1972 in Goulburn which they still operate today.

“Both my boys are pharmacists; James manages Goulburn and Andrew manages a store our ours in Yass,” he said.

When John finished university, he worked as a pharmacist in Warialda, feeling somewhat familiar with the area, John said he liked the country.

“I like the way David and Michelle operate the pharmacy and we intend to run it the exact same way. We are focused on patient care and health outcomes.

“We are very community-orientated and value the trust people have in their local pharmacy. We are also delighted with the current team that exists here,” John said.