A Pharmacy graduate from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has been shortlisted for an award for her work with asthma patients.
Community pharmacist Mala Khiroya now needs your votes - by 21 July - to progress from the regional to the national stage of the I Love My Pharmacist Award.
The 35-year-old, who studied at DMU between 2000 and 2004, has been pharmacy manager at Merridale Pharmacy in Braunstone, Leicester, for just under a year.
During this time she has changed the lives of many of her customers.
Mala said: "I realised a lot of patients with asthma needed support to get the best use from their inhalers.
"I now do a lot of reviews with them. I sit down with them and talk about how the medication works. I also liaise with GPs and nurses to help them control their asthma."
She said one patient who had shortness of breath "was frequently prescribed oral steroids and a particular type of inhaler".
Mala said: "After reviewing his record and liaising with a respiratory physiotherapist and asthma nurse, it was agreed the patient should try another type of inhaler."
As a result, the patient was much better.
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Mala began her career in Leicester's hospitals after graduating from DMU, where she had a "fabulous time".
She said: "My final year was the best because I really enjoyed the clinical side and the support from my tutors was fantastic."
Mala is shocked and excited to have been selected as a Midlands and East finalist for the competition run by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
"It is a great honour," she said.
Ash Soni, Royal Pharmaceutical Society president, said: "I'm delighted Mala has been selected as a regional finalist.
"The I Love My Pharmacist Award demonstrates just how vital pharmacists are to every health service as we showcase and celebrate the many different and vital roles they perform across the NHS."
In addition to her work with asthma patients, Mala has worked with the fire and ambulance services to reduce 999 calls by organising an event at which health checks, lifestyle tips and advice on minor ailments was offered.
Posted on Friday 15 July 2016