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Peter Verheggen, pharmacist

Immediately after graduating from his pharmaceutical study at university, Peter was offered a temporary position to fill in for someone who was on leave. ‘I ended up staying for five years.’ He is now the managing pharmacist of a large pharmacy.

5 questions for ...

How did you end up with Mediq?

"After completing my pharmaceutical degree, I was asked to fill in for someone who was on holiday at an independent pharmacy. While at that time my real aspiration was to become a hospital pharmacist, I thought it would be a good opportunity to gain work experience. I ultimately ended up staying for five years at that pharmacy. But after five years, I began asking myself if this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and began wondering how I might pursue further professional development. I decided to leave the independent pharmacy and took up a position with a large pharmacy with approximately 15,000 patients and 24 pharmaceutical assistants in service. While it wasn’t easy at first, I started to grow into the position after a couple of years. I’ve now been with the company for seven years as managing pharmacist."

Can you explain a bit about what your positions entails?

"Well, each morning when I get to work I ask myself what we are going to achieve that day. And then when I’m driving home in the evening, I review the day and sum up what we accomplished. I guess that’s what you call management (smiles). My pharmaceutical degree has provided me with a scientific foundation and the ability to approach problems effectively. And both of these skills are vital for being able to answers the questions I am asked every day. But managing a large pharmacy takes an entirely different set of skills. It’s something you can only learn how to do in practice. And it’s an ability that has to be part of your personality."

What makes your work at Mediq interesting?

"As a pharmacist, I don’t really notice on a daily basis that Mediq Pharmacies is our parent company. Being a pharmacist is an independent profession as far as that is concerned. But having said that, being part of the Mediq does open up a world of possibilities. We work together as a group to set up large healthcare projects. And there are also opportunities for working in partnership with the group at the local level, for example in terms of the booking and administration. And this creates real added value because it is precisely these kinds of activities that are more difficult for independent pharmacists. Mediq Pharmacies also operate on the basis of a different approach. We are dedicated to making the transition from a focus on patients to a focus on customers. It’s a much more modern and up-to-date approach and that appeals to me."

How have you been able to develop your professional and personal skills at Mediq so far?

"I was part of a group of around thirty pharmacists that experienced the start-up phase of Mediq Pharmacies. And while a number of problems arose during that initial growth phase, I can now look back with pride and think: I helped build this organisation. I have also been able to extensively develop the therapeutic aspects of my profession. I remember back when I first started, I used to watch my colleagues and be astounded by the extent of their knowledge. And now, after working as a pharmacist for a number of years, I am in a position to pass on what I have learned to others. I have also been given the opportunity to begin a business administration course at Erasmus University in Rotterdam in the near future. I consider it as a kind of reward. After all, while financial rewards are great, a university study has lasting value."

What is your personal career ambition?

"I manage a large business that has both older and younger employees. I’m not an authoritarian manager. While I obviously have to make decisions, I think it is crucial and beneficial to talk about things with the employees first. I am convinced that it is a more modern approach to management. I am also faced with a varied range of therapeutic and sometimes complex issues. This variation is what I like most about my work. I gain a tremendous amount of satisfaction from playing a meaningful role in my clients’ lives. It is a great feeling to be able to help people with chronic illnesses or to make sure that patients that are approaching the end of their lives are as comfortable as possible."