Karl Hilton is a very modern pharmacist. The man who is due to take over as president of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) at its annual meeting tomorrow opened his first outlet in 1991 in Bray.

It was a departure for the young entrepreneur, who had previously made his living as a lecturer in the sector covering areas such as pharmacy practice. He also studied for a doctorate in controlled drug delivery.

He has recently opened an outlet at Cornelscourt, south Dublin in partnership with a young pharmacist, Mr David Gilsenan.

Apart from the traditional services expected of a local chemist, the pharmacy invested in laboratory-standard diagnostic equipment to offer drop-in testing for cholesterol, gout, diabetes and blood sugar.

"We've found that people find it convenient to be able to just drop in off the street for tests like this, without having to make an appointment for the doctor," says Mr Hilton. "Furthermore, it gets people in who would not normally go to the doctor, such as middle-aged men."

The pharmacy also provides a therapy room offering a range of complementary treatments, ranging from Japanese amatsu therapy and chiropractics for pain relief and sports massage/nutrition to chiropody and speech therapy.

"We also have a hypnotherapist and found a lot of people coming in to make an appointment to help give up smoking following the introduction of the smoking ban," he says.