Pharmacist Nasir Mahmood awarded for life’s work

PINE PLAINS — Whether they’re collecting their prescriptions or dropping by the pharmacy on an errand, local residents know Nasir Mahmood for his diligence and personalized attention to every customer who walks into the Pine Plains Pharmacy, which he owns and operates. Mahmood’s dedication to his profession was recently recognized by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), which presented him with the 2020 Calvin J. Anthony Lifetime Achievement Award.

Meditating on his decision to become a pharmacist, Mahmood said that he chose the profession to help people, adding that the pharmacy profession “offers more opportunities to help people and make a difference in their lives.

“You compare other medical professions, this is the best one,” he said.

Located at 2965 Church St. (Route 199), Mahmood has owned the Pine Plains Pharmacy since 1989, during which time he has continuously served the community in many ways. Every service, he said, is personalized to the individuals who come into his pharmacy, and everyone receives the best care possible. 

Mahmood has since been joined at the pharmacy by his son, Rehan, who is working alongside his father as a pharmacist at the business. When asked whether he suspected his pharmacy would become such a valuable resource in the community, especially now, during the pandemic. Mahmood said, “That’s what my vision was, and we were able to accomplish it.”

In addition to his role as pharmacist, Mahmood previously served a one-year term as chairman of the board of the Pharmacist Society for the State of New York (PSSNY) as well as the president of PSSNY from 2008 to 2009. Additionally, he served as an officer and vice president for the Hudson Valley Pharmacist Society, an affiliate of PSSNY. He currently serves as vice chair of the New York State Board of Pharmacy. Throughout his career, Mahmood has earned many awards from the PSSNY as well as the Bowl of Hygiene, an award he said is granted to one pharmacists in every state each year.

The Calvin J. Anthony Lifetime Achievement Award was created to honor a pharmacist who has dedicated his or her career to the pharmacy profession. The award’s namesake pays tribute to Calvin J. Anthony’s distinguished pharmacy career as “an independent community pharmacy owner in Stillwater, Okl.,” and his service on multiple pharmacy organizational boards, including a five-year term as NCPA’s executive vice president, according to the PSSNY.

Mahmood received an engraved commemorative plaque and will be recognized at the NCPA’s annual convention later this month.

“It means a lot to me,” Mahmood said. “I know there are over 300,000 pharmacists in the U.S., and having been one of those 300,000, it’s a huge honor. I couldn’t do it alone.”

To the young generation of pharmacists preparing to pursue a career in the same profession that inspired him, Mahmood has encouraged them to get involved, to do the best they can, to work on top of their licenses and to help the community by sharing their knowledge and abilities.