This is the story of a pharmacist who has not followed the traditional route he might have. Instead, he has successfully brought new, cost effective products to market. And some.
50-year old Atul Patel is the Managing Director of St George’s Medical, a company he started by investing personal funds. He works with a team of four people, each having a specialism like research, graphic design, marketing and distribution. “We meet on a regular basis where I chair a meeting and discuss ideas, identify products and help form a plan to accomplish this,” he says.
Background and early memories
Atul Patel was born in Uganda, to parents from India. “My parents owned a general store in Paranga (Uganda), which they had to leave behind and seek asylum in England in the early seventies due to the Idi Amin dictatorship,” he recalls. Mr Patel came to Great Britain at four years old.
He describes his early memories as those of struggle. “There was little command of English in the family, the reception of asylum seekers from the local population was mixed, commonly hostile, and my parents did not have any transferable qualifications to be able to apply for career jobs. I’m sure this was a common experience of most East African migrants then.
But this produced strong extended family bonds, hard work, the concept of the importance of education, a sense of our own community,
and an entrepreneurial spirit via an early involvement in business. There were some happy childhood memories of growing up in London. I believe these influences have helped develop resilience and an ‘anything is possible’ attitude in my psyche, which I hope to pass on to my children.
The Birth of St George’s Medical
Atul Patel set up a pharmacy, and, over a period, noted feedback from his customers about prescribed products. Here’s his ethos.
“By tweaking existing treatments offered, by providing products absent from the market, I decided we could go some way to enhancing my customers’ experience and expediting/supporting their healthy lifestyle. The first product was olive oil in a dropper bottle, which was a success. Then we made our own moisturizing cream to rival E45, and so on. This was the birth of St Georges medical.” The company was born out of the need to help the community - by offering it cost- effective alternatives.
Story Behind the Name
Atul patel; “I wanted a name that would resonate with the community and also identify with the environment I grew up in. St. George, although not an Englishman himself, was a person who experienced struggles whilst keeping faith in his mission and focus on his cause, eventually becoming the patron saint of England. His ideology and story resonated with me. I adopted him in our name - St. Georges Medical Ltd; our aim is to offer products that help the community.
How will the Company Beat off Competition?
Atul Patel: “Although it would be nice, my main focus with St. Georges Medical is not to be the ‘winner’ but to offer quality, effective and affordable health products. I have other ventures that offer enough security for my family and me. This is a genuine desire to help and offer treatments that work and contribute to the wellbeing of the community.”
Challenges
There have been some. “Like every business dealing with overseas markets and manufacturers, the minefield of exporting/importing, financing and strict compliance with the regulations for the products I offer has been a learning curve. I made mistakes along the way but have had many well-wishers that could see what St Georges Medical is trying to achieve. They have offered advice and expertise. This has also been a taxing commitment, but my family has supported and encouraged me throughout.”
The Future
Atul Patel projects; “I would like to do what I have always done, and that is to find new products that are cost- effective alternatives. The next step would be to reach more people so we will be expanding our channels of distribution. I also plan to start talking to charities to see if there is any way I can help deliver products to crisis or poverty- stricken areas. This is ambitious and will take time, but it would be a satisfying ambition to achieve!”
"My aim is to offer quality, effective and affordable health
products"
