Channel 4 will broadcast the new comedy short ‘The Pharmacy’ on March 10. 

Written by and starring stand-up comedian Ola Labib, the comedy short is a semi-autobiographical look at her experience as a pharmacist. 

Labib said she is “overwhelmed, excited and emotional” about ‘The Pharmacy’ and “prayed for the day I would reap the rewards of sacrificing almost 14 years of blood, sweat and tears working as a pharmacist in a time where the NHS is at crisis point”. 

Read more: The Pharmacy: Channel 4 commissions pharmacist-penned comedy short 

“I never dreamt the rewards would be in the form of a commissioned comedy show for Channel 4 - a channel I grew up watching, dreaming that maybe one day, I'd have my own show,” she added. 

Objective Fiction, the production company which has worked on other comedies including Peep Show, said it “delves behind the counter of a local pharmacy as the oddball staff attempt to cure their community one patient at a time”. 

Representing pharmacy 

The show follows the “oddball staff” who “attempt to cure their community one patient at a time”. 

“They’re a diverse group of misfits, tempted by the pills they serve, all whilst dealing with high rent, high stress and low pay,” Objective Fiction said. 

Read more: A.A. Dhand: Pharmacist crime author to publish new novel The Chemist 

The cast includes Sue Vincent (The Madame Blanc Mysteries, Waterloo Road), Nabil Abdulrashid (QI, Would I Lie To You?), Finlay Christie (So You Think You’re Funny, 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown), Verona Rose (Top Boy, Fully Blon) and Ramey Dawoud (Faisal Goes West, Revolution from Afar). 

Labib said she is “proud to be representing pharmacists and healthcare workers around the country, and women, particularly POC women,” in the show. 

Read more: Pharmacist’s ‘Virdee’ book will have its TV adaption broadcast on BBC One in 2025 

Her website writes that she is known for her “infectious charm, edgy comedy material and wry humour” and uses her Islamic and African upbringing as inspiration, with her father her “biggest comedy hero”. 

‘The Pharmacy’ will be available to stream on Channel4.com on March 10 and on Channel 4 YouTube from 5pm the same day.  

Read more: Killer Clown: Book reveals murder witness pharmacy worker’s story 

Meanwhile, pharmacist A.A. Dhand has had his ‘Virdee’ crime novels adapted to screen and broadcast on BBC One this week (February 10) 

Dhand’s next crime novel The Chemist, focused on a pharmacist and inspired by his own experiences, is also set for publication in May 2025.