Jaydutt "Jimmy" Desai is a community Pharmacist practising in Ilford, Essex. His career spans 28 years, all of which has been devoted to active community pharmacy service. During his career He has cared for patients of all ages and believes in the principal of ‘serve and be served'. He is also an avid philanthropist and has been heavily involved with a number of notable diabetes charities.
He is also a Special Advisor on Pharmacy to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes, where he supports and advises the Group on Government policy on community pharmacy. He finds his job as a community pharmacist rewarding and challenging as he is motivated by helping patients to live healthier lives. In 2016 he created the DIMPLE project, designed to bring diabetes testing into pharmacies. Fifty five percent of the pharmacists in the U.K. are of British Asian heritage.
1) What is your current position?
I am a community Pharmacist practising in Ilford Essex. I have been a pharmacist since 1988. I spent the first 24 years of my career in the London Borough of Brent practicing in Wembley and I am now based at DP Pharmacy in Ilford in Essex.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
I regard myself as being a decent human being working with the community and being with my family. More recently I was appointed as the Special Pharmacy Advisor to All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes. This for me is a proud and thrilling achievement.
3) What inspires you?
Since a young age I have always wanted to be involved in saving lives. Now in my role as a community pharmacist I advise patients on making healthier lifestyle choices. Whilst this may not be immediately obvious, this in fact serves my ambitions and motivations to save lives. Just engaging with the public means so much to me. In the current age there is too much dependency on technology to give people answers. I love to be in my pharmacy meeting people face to face. Life is about human contact and human achievement.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
The role of pharmacists as a frontline healthcare provider has only just been recognised by the National Health Service. Previously, the role of pharmacists was seen as a non-clinical role. This recognition is therefore long overdue, as pharmacists are the centre of the local healthcare service, interacting with hundreds of patients on a daily basis, providing vital services and advice to our communities.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My wife Arpana Desai has always motivated me to perform my duties and has always stood by me 'come what may'. I cannot imagine my life without her.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
The best part about my current role is playing a clinical role to help my patients to live healthier lifestyles. Promoting healthy choices for both food and exercise are vital for safeguarding the future health of the nation.
7) And the worst?
As I’m sure many pharmacists across the country will agree, the cuts that the Government has just imposed to community pharmacies are making our jobs increasingly difficult. There are problems with morale and services are now being stretched very thin. This is the most worrying time I have had in practice.
8) What are your long term goals?
I aim to practise as a community pharmacist until the age of 65. Upon retirement I wish to dedicate more of my time to charitable causes, particularly in the field of Diabetes. The DIMPLE project is very important to me and I want to personally find all the people who have diabetes and don't know it!
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
If I was Prime Minister I would invest more resources into the National Health Service. The NHS is the pride of Britain, but it is currently being stretched to full capacity. It is a worthwhile investment, and it will safeguard the health and wellbeing of the British population for decades to come.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Well, the thought of being marooned on a strange island does send shivers down my spine! There is not really a historical figure that I would like to be marooned with, I would much prefer to be there with my wife! However I definitely would like to be on any island with President Trump!
