Ade Williams, superintendent at Bedminister Pharmacy in Bristol, has been recognised with the award of an MBE in the New Year's Honours List and is cited "for services to the NHS and to the community in South Bristol, particularly during Covid-19".

In addition to work in his pharmacy, Ade has been instrumental in the delivery of Covid vaccinations in Bedminster, hosting regular clinics in Bedminster Methodist Church. He first hit the headlines early in the pandemic when members of the local branch of This Mum Runs acted as couriers for the delivery of medicines and other essentials from his pharmacy. 

He is a regular face on national, regional and local media, has a slot as the resident pharmacist on BBC Radio Bristol's breakfast show; he has also been one of the faces of the pandemic for the NHS. He is also a regular contributor to a number of CIG's pharmacy titles as well as CIG Healthcare's training output. 

Commenting on his award, Ade says: "I feel most undeserving. I know what I do is what everyone in community pharmacy, including our non-pharmacist colleagues, do: protecting, enriching and empowering our communities, with dedication to the NHS, with pride and sacrifice. This award brings into focus the story of the unique generosity of my South Bristol community; the lessons they teach our team daily about partnering together to make a difference, most especially in the last two years battling Covid. 

"I hope it also serves to provide some comfort and pride to family and friends of colleagues lost during the pandemic; their sacrifices matter. The values that drive community pharmacy's role in the NHS is what we are ultimately celebrating. We care so much because our communities are family to us." 

Honours were also awarded to Professor Mahendra Patel, pharmacy research lead to the Oxford PRINCIPLE Covid-19 trial and honorary visiting professor at the University of Bradford, who is made an OBE, for services to pharmacy.

Mohammed Aziz, director of healthcare services at Boots UK is also made an OBE for services to pharmacy, especially testing for Covid-19.