For pharmacist Judith Tepra, helping people has always been more than a profession. It is a calling. Today, as she serves customers and patients at City Pharmacy Lae Top Town, she does so with a renewed appreciation for life after overcoming one of the most difficult challenges she has ever faced. Her story of resilience, courage and purpose is a fitting tribute to pharmacists everywhere as the world celebrates World Pharmacists Day.
Originally from Western Highlands Province, Judith is a 33-year-old mother of one, a registered pharmacist. Her daily work includes dispensing medications, counselling patients, supporting her team and ensuring pharmacy operations are conducted safely and responsibly.
“Being a pharmacist is not just a job,” she says. “It is an opportunity to help people and contribute to the wellbeing of the community.”
That commitment was tested when Judith was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis in August 2025. By October, the illness had resulted in paralysis, bringing uncertainty to both her personal and professional life. The condition required surgery and months of rehabilitation, permanently changing her mobility. Today, she uses a wheelchair while continuing her recovery.
“Walking and moving are things most people take for granted,” Judith reflects. “When those abilities are affected, you begin to appreciate every function of your body in a completely different way.”
Through the challenges, the support of her family became her greatest source of strength. She is equally grateful to City Pharmacy for standing beside her throughout her journey. The company supported her treatment and recovery process, maintained her employment and made accommodations to help her transition back to work when she was ready.
“The company understood what I was going through and accommodated my needs when I returned to work,” she says. “That support meant a lot to me and my family.”
Returning to work required determination and patience, but Judith’s passion for serving people remained unchanged.
“I missed working and serving people. When I came back, I realized I could still contribute. Even though I work differently now, I am still able to do what I love.”
Her wheelchair may have changed how she moves, but it has not changed who she is.
“A wheelchair helps me move. It does not define me.”
Today, Judith hopes society will look beyond physical limitations and recognise the talents and contributions of people living with disabilities. Her own experience demonstrates the importance of supportive workplaces that focus on people’s abilities and potential.
As the world celebrates World Pharmacists Day, Judith’s story also reflects the broader contribution pharmacists make to communities across Papua New Guinea.
Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in the country. Beyond dispensing medicines, they provide trusted advice, support safe and effective use of medications, identify potential health concerns and often serve as the first point of contact for patients seeking healthcare guidance.
The company currently employs 74 registered pharmacists, making it one of the country’s largest private-sector employers of pharmacy professionals. Of these, 66 pharmacists serve within retail stores and wellness clinics, often referred to as the “Nurses Stations”, providing frontline healthcare advice, medication management and patient support. A further eight pharmacists work within the head office in Port Moresby, providing expertise across areas including Sales, Logistics, Procurement and other critical business functions that support the delivery of medicines and healthcare products nationwide.
Recognising the importance of nurturing future healthcare professionals, City Pharmacy recently reintroduced the CPL Pharmacy Scholarship, an initiative designed to support aspiring pharmacists and strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce. This year, seven pharmacy students from the University of Medicine and Health Sciences were awarded scholarships, helping remove financial barriers to education and encouraging the next generation of pharmacists to pursue careers dedicated to improving community health.
The scholarship programme represents a long-term investment in Papua New Guinea’s healthcare future, helping ensure that qualified pharmacy professionals continue to be available to serve communities across the country.
City Pharmacy’s continued investment in expanding access to healthcare services is also creating new opportunities for both communities and healthcare professionals. As part of its ongoing growth strategy, the company is preparing to open newly relocated and upgraded stores in Dobel, Mt Hagen, Madang and Port Moresby General Hospital, further enhancing customer experience and improving access to pharmaceutical care. In addition, City Pharmacy is expanding its footprint through the launch of new stores at Metoreia in Hanuabada village and Rainbow, reinforcing its commitment to bringing quality healthcare and pharmacy services closer to Papua New Guineans. These developments not only strengthen healthcare accessibility across the country but also create employment opportunities and support the growing demand for qualified pharmacy professionals.
As healthcare demands continue to evolve, pharmacists remain essential partners in improving access to medicines, promoting responsible medication use and supporting healthier communities. Whether serving patients in retail stores, supporting healthcare supply chains, mentoring future professionals or overcoming personal adversity, pharmacists continue to make a meaningful difference every day.
For Judith, this year’s World Pharmacists Day carries special significance.
Despite everything she has endured, she remains committed to serving her patients and community with compassion and professionalism. Her journey has taught her that while circumstances may change unexpectedly, purpose, hope and determination can remain steadfast.
Her message to others facing health challenges is simple yet powerful:
“Life may become different from what we originally imagined, but there is still purpose, there is still hope, and there is still something meaningful ahead. Challenges may take time to overcome, but they do not define who you are.”
This World Pharmacists Day, Judith Tepra’s story serves as a powerful reminder that resilience is not about avoiding adversity. It is about finding the strength to move forward, adapting to new realities and continuing to serve others with courage and determination.
Today, City Pharmacy’s network spans 19 provinces and more than 30 retail stores, supported by 74 registered pharmacists serving in frontline and corporate roles. Through employment creation, investment in future pharmacists through the reintroduced CPL Pharmacy Scholarship, expansion into new communities, and the dedication of professionals like Judith Tepra, City Pharmacy continues to play an important role in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s healthcare sector. The company’s commitment to accessibility, workforce development and patient care demonstrates how pharmacists contribute not only to individual health outcomes but also to the nation’s broader health and development goals.