Abdul is the General Manager of Northwest 7 Day Pharmacy. With their dedication to supporting the community’s healthcare needs, we were delighted when they decided to become a Silver Partner of Hospice West Auckland last year. Abdul and his team are deeply committed to their long-term relationship with Hospice. They are experienced with the complex medication management that is unique to palliative care, and understand the importance of communication, urgency and sensitivity in this field. Here Abdul shares with us how he became interested in palliative care and why it is so meaningful to him.
My journey with palliative care began when I was an undergraduate at the University of Auckland. I was introduced to the concept of sterile medication preparation for patients receiving palliative care. I had been working in a pharmacy where the focus was on upselling beauty products, and I found myself wondering when I would ever use these techniques in practice. It was one of my passionate lecturers who shared with me the unique application of these techniques in palliative care, particularly how prefilled syringe preparations were being used in community hospice care in Auckland. This piqued my interest, and I found myself wanting to learn more about the field. Even back then I never aspired to be a pharmacist focused on selling retail goods.
When I graduated and opened a pharmacy on the North Shore right out of internship, I reached out to North Shore Hospice immediately, keen to identify ways I could support them in providing better medication and pharmacy services. Their Clinical Pharmacist gave me invaluable insights into the gaps they were facing, and that’s where we started. Together, we were able to address those gaps, and soon the demand for our services expanded to Hibiscus and Totara Hospices as well. This experience solidified my passion for palliative care.
Pictured left: the Northwest 7 Day Pharmacy team
Ten years later I transitioned to focus on a new pharmacy dedicated to clinical services in West Auckland, where I live. I specifically wanted to focus on supporting respite care facilities, Disability Services and Hospices. I’ve participated in various clinical training classes (both online and in person) to grow my knowledge and confidence in these fields.
What drives me in this work is simple: it’s the people. Patients and families trust us during some of the most vulnerable times of their lives, and that trust is something I take very seriously. I find it incredibly fulfilling to provide clarity, support, and comfort at a time when it’s needed most. Palliative care allows me to put the patient at the center of every decision we make, and to focus not just on illness, but on the person and their loved ones as a whole.
One of the key lessons I’ve learned from working with patients and their families is the critical importance of communication. People deeply value clear, straightforward information, and knowing that they’re not alone in their journey. It is important to provide consistency and reassurance that they’re not just another patient calling for medication, but that we see them in their vulnerable state and are dedicated to their wellbeing. Above all, they truly appreciate the care they receive from Hospice, where they know they are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
I remember many of my patients who have passed, and I’m grateful to still stay in touch with their families. In some cases, helping loved ones to navigate some of their concerns and give them comfort during those difficult times has made us friends to this day. This long-term connection is one of the most rewarding aspects of this work. It’s the ability to be a small part of a team that makes a big difference in the lives of patients and their families.
Abdul with Hospice West Auckland’s GM Healthcare Services, Stella McFarlane
Northwest 7 Day Pharmacy is open 8:00am – 8:00pm, 7 days, at 98 Hobsonville Road. www.northwestpharmcy.co.nz
