For pharmacists navigating growth, relocation, or workforce pressures, investing in automation can feel like a decisive but daunting step. For Fazal Seedat, owner of Elliott Street Pharmacy, Manchester, who recently celebrated the new look of his fully renovated pharmacy on 7 April 2026, the addition of a BD Rowa™ Vmax robot with BD Rowa™ EasyLoad marked not just a technical upgrade, but a meaningful transformation of his pharmacy’s daily operations, team wellbeing, and renewed focus on patient care.
A seamless installation even under pressure
The former pharmacy was only 200 metres away from the new location, and closing operations during the transition was not an option. “The installation was much better than I expected. It happened in the background, and we were able to continue serving customers throughout without disruption.” This ability to maintain business continuity proved critical.
Efficiency that enables better care
Today, medication is dispensed promptly without requiring the pharmacist to step away from the customer. But for Fazal, efficiency isn’t just about speed, it’s about what that speed makes possible.
With less time spent on manual and repetitive tasks and overall reduction in errors, pharmacists and staff can focus on meaningful patient conversations and consultation on services.
“We now have more focused, dedicated discussions with customers, that’s made a real difference in how patients experience our pharmacy.”
Customers have noticed. Fazal reports increased footfall and stronger loyalty, driven by the attention, care, and calm atmosphere in the pharmacy. Customers are appreciate being listened to. They come back because they feel cared for and are proud that their local pharmacy truly invests in their community.
The newly renovated pharmacy boasts with 95% patient satisfaction, 10 consultation rooms offering weight loss clinic, ear syringing, travel vaccines, hair loss etc., along with hub and spoke opportunity for local pharmacies and room rentals for service providers alike.
Elliott Street Pharmacy stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when vision, commitment, and the right partners come together.
The BD Rowa VMax at Elliott Street PharmacyBD Rowa
Supporting staff wellbeing
Automation has also had a clear impact on staff morale. The robot has made the pharmacy staff feel more supportive, calmer, and simply a better place to work. There’s less pressure, less rushing, and a better overall working environment. In the current environment within the community pharmacy where recruitment of top skilled pharmacy staff and retention are ongoing challenges, this employee wellbeing impact is a significant long-term benefit that he as a pharmacy owner deeply values.
Reliable service you can trust
No system is without the occasional issue, but Fazal highlights BD Rowa’s service responsiveness as a key differentiator. Service support has further reinforced confidence in the system. While only minor issues have occurred since installation, the response from BD Rowa has been consistently prompt and effective. Calls to the hotline are routed quickly, and in cases requiring on‑site intervention, technicians have resolved the issue within 24 hours. This reliability has ensured that patient service is never compromised.
Why BD Rowa for your pharmacy automation?
Fazal’s decision to choose BD Rowa was shaped by trust, expertise, and a long-term partnership approach. Beyond BD Rowa’s proven quality of the automation in the past 3 decades and over 15000 robots in the pharmacies worldwide, the people behind the technology played a decisive role.
As the pharmacy is powered by solar and green energy, partnering with BD Rowa known for its strong sustainability ambitions was a natural fit. Ultimately, relationship but on trust and confidence in ongoing service and support made BD Rowa the clear choice.
For pharmacists considering automation, Fazal’s recommendation is simple and confident. Visiting a growing pharmacy like Elliott Street Pharmacy, speaking directly with the staff, and seeing the workflow in action provides clarity beyond brochures and specifications. When automation works this seamlessly, the results speak for themselves.
For Fazal, BD Rowa isn’t just an automation supplier it’s a partner helping his pharmacy deliver better care, every day.
If you are looking to upgrade your pharmacy, please reach out to Lizzie Hagen at Lizzie.Hagen@bd.com to schedule an appointment to discuss how BD Rowa can help you in your automation journey or visit our website at bd.com/rowa to learn more.
Lizzie Hagen of BD RowaBD Rowa
