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Arise Sir Graeme
08 June 2010
Graeme Douglas is no stranger to the pharmacy world. However, as of yesterday, he will be known by a different name – Sir Graeme.
Sir Graeme, founder and managing director of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, has been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit at the recent Queen’s Birthday honours.
His son, Jeff Douglas, says the family and close friends celebrated at the Douglas' new apartment in Remuera Road, very close to Sir Graeme's orginal pharmacy, which they are in the process of moving into after nearly 50 years in Te Atatu. Sir Graeme's old school friend and brother-in-law, David Levene, was invited to the celebration on the guise that it was a house-warming party. Little did he know he was about to receive the same honour as Sir Graeme.
"This double knighhood in the family came as a total surprise as neither knew of the other's knighthood. Both new knights enjoyed the numerous congratulatory calls they received from friends and associates," Jeff says.
"Dad was certainly humbled by being selected for this honour."
Sir Graeme, now 81, was first made a member of the order in 1988, and has spent the last 40 years involved in the family business and donating his time to philanthropic causes.
His Te Atatu company took off after a cough syrup, created by Sir Graeme, became widely successful in 1967. It is now worth around $100 million and employs more than 450 staff.
This year’s award is for his services to philanthropy and athletics. Sir Graeme was a representative shot-putter for Auckland and supports the Waitakere City Athletics Club, which includes coaching programmes for athletes. He is a financial supporter of the West Auckland Hospice, Medical Air Abroad, the Heart Foundation and the Liggins Institute.
Comments
Sir Graeme's original pharmacy was in Te Atatu, not in Remuera as your article suggested.
In fact, he spent some time in Waiuku, in partnership with Allan McGaffin at Max Pharmacy before moving to Te Atatu.
During his time at Waiuku, he was my Apprentice Master for just on four years, and gave me my start in pharmacy.
John Berrill MPS
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