Stuart Eason has retired after five decades

A BELOVED pharmacist who has served the community of Tamworth
for five decades has retired proudly saying: I feel I've done more than
enough.

Stuart Eason, aged 74, has retired from Easons Chemist after an incredible 50 years in the family business. Born in Wilnecote and well known in that and the wider Tamworth community, he was perhaps always destined to go into the industry. After all his father Harry originally opened the shop, Stuart then took over from him and now son Kieran has followed in their footsteps!

In fact his father, son, sister, brother in law and nephew are/were all Tam-
worth pharmacists and the rest of the family as well as five pharmacists
includes three doctors, two nurses, three radiographers, a physiothera-
pist and a sonographer!

Stuart told the Herald this week: "I am sad, but after 60 years of work - 50
of those as a pharmacist - I feel I've done more than enough. Finishing at the close of the Covid epidemic seems an appropriate time. I have passed the business onto my son - now the third generation to run the pharmacy. Thank you to the local community and all our customers for all your support over the years and I wish you well."

As a child Stuart originally wanted to work as an engine driver, but as time went on at school he naturally began to focus more on science. Following his father into pharmacy seemed like the natural fit. After attending Wilnecote junior
school, and then Atherstone Grammar school, he went on to study pharmacy at London University. He graduated and finished his training at Whittington Hospital in Highgate, London. It was around this time that he met his wife.

"Having started work helping my dad in the pharmacy during the 1958 flu epidemic, I have seen many changes over the course of my career," he reflected. When I started we sold a lot more medicines over the counter. Now almost all of the work is dispensing prescriptions for the NHS. We no longer compound medicines to order, instead purchasing them pre-made from the manufacturers. There are a lot more computers involved in the process now, increasing efficiency and freeing up our time for patients. "Having learnt computer programming at college and been the first pharmacy in Tamworth to have a dispensing computer the most recent systems are too much to keep up with.

Whereas originally computers were a help for replacing typewriters and
recording medications, they are now an essential integral part of the job.
"The job initially was compounding medicines for prescriptions, with far fewer prescriptions to dispense each day, but a much busier retail area. As time has moved on it has become less focused on the making of the medicines themselves and into more of a clinical role, advising patients and doctors on treatment options and dosages."

But throughout it all pharmacy has been at the heart of the primary care system - easily accessible for patients with free and impartial advice.

"Some of my favourite memories involve training young people," added Stuart.
"Many of whom have stayed working with us for many years, whilst others have moved onto other careers or university but still visit us from time to time."

As for his plans for retirement, he revealed: "I love being outdoors in the countryside and mountains, a reaction after having spent so much time indoors in the pharmacy! I enjoy walking, swimming, cycling and climbing. I also look forward to being able to spend more time with my wife and grandchildren."

March 27th, 2024