MANDEVILLE, Manchester — For the past 60 years Stafford Haughton has been a pharmacist in this south-central town, more than half of the 105 years that his family business has been in existence.

Haughton, a third-generation proprietor in the family business, Haughton’s Pharmacy, said the pharmaceutical industry is still feeling the rippling effects of the coronavirus pandemic years later and the logistics issues caused by overseas tensions between two nations.

“The current challenges have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic years ago, which has caused shortages, and there is a supply problem with a few pharmaceuticals which are difficult to get. Also, the war in Ukraine with Russia has disrupted a lot of the transportation worldwide and that also contributes to the shortage of supplies being available, but the distributors in Jamaica who supply pharmaceuticals to the industry are aggressive people and they are doing their best to make sure supplies of the best medication continue to be available at competitive prices to all our population,” he told journalists last Sunday.

Haughton was speaking at Cecil Charlton Hall moments after he was recognised for his contribution to the development of Mandeville, and made it clear that he has no intention of retiring anytime soon.

“I am honoured to do it and I am blessed to have good health to continue my service,” he said after receiving the plaque of appreciation. I am over the moon. I never expected anything like this, so I want to thank you for coming and sharing with me… I am not retiring,” he told his audience.

Business and political leaders were among the scores of people who sat inside Cecil Charlton Hall for the ‘Just ask Staff’ ceremony.

Long-standing Member of Parliament for Manchester North East Audley Shaw hailed Haughton for his contribution to Mandeville and politics.

“I am learning now that the pharmacy is 105 years old and you are the third generation, and this man had time to become a politician,” Shaw said.

“I just want to congratulate him and to say that in all of this, he still had time to give service otherwise to the country,” added Shaw.

Haughton was the first pharmacist to be elected to the House of Representatives, serving two terms in the Edward Seaga-led Jamaica Labour Party Administration of 1980 to 1989 as Member of Parliament for Manchester North Western.

Haughton reflected on his six decades as a pharmacist.

“The industry started several centuries ago with what we call galenical drugs, and when I, Stafford Haughton, a third-generation proprietor in the family business, became a pharmacist, it was still one of the main ingredients used in medicines prescribed for healing and better health,” he said.

“The industry, through research and development, has advanced by leaps and bounds and medications today are far more sophisticated than when I started. Some of the old galenicals are still in use, but they are very seldom used, and all the modern drugs that are available for healing are a tremendous range and will treat most and all illnesses successfully,” he added.

He said the pharmaceutical industry has grown in a dynamic way.

“Jamaica is not being left behind. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has First World standards here in Jamaica and all our patients, not only in our population or in the Diaspora, can depend on the best treatment from the best medication available through our Ministry of Health,” he said.

“Very high First-World standards and the best medications are being delivered by all the pharmacies in Jamaica and, therefore, the industry continues to grow. I say to my colleagues and the population that we serve, you can get the best treatment through the industry right here in Jamaica.”