Case Study
Next Gen Pharma Ltd trading as 24 HR Pharmacy
24 HR Pharmacy is a 24-hour online pharmacy based in Paisley founded by Sehar Shahid. Established in 2023, the business provides patients across the UK with convenient access to prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, offering tracked next-day delivery and an expanding range of online clinical services.
Sehar is a prescribing pharmacist with 15 years’ experience Her background in online pharmacy, clinical governance and regulatory compliance forms the foundation of the service. 24 HR Pharmacy aims to become a trusted digital healthcare provider, supporting patients with accessible, safe and efficient pharmacy services.
Although the business secured premises in late 2023, significant delays with the initial website developer postponed the launch by several months, affecting early revenue and limiting growth. To scale operations and meet increasing demand, the company required additional working capital to:
- Continue website development and optimisation
- Fund digital marketing activity
- Recruit part-time dispensers as order volumes grow
- Strengthen working capital for stock and operational costs
The founders had already invested over £170,000 through personal funds and Start Up Loans, demonstrating strong commitment to the business.
24 HR Pharmacy successfully applied for a £100,000 loan through the Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS) delivered by DSL Business Finance. The loan provided essential support to complete the website and will build the staffing capacity required to manage growing order volumes.
The funding allowed the business to transition from start-up phase to a scalable digital pharmacy model, with plans to introduce new online clinical services over the next 12 months.
Several factors contributed to the strength of the application:
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- Experience: Sehar’s 15-year career as a pharmacist and her national role with the National Pharmacy Association established strong credibility.
- Market opportunity/demand: Growing demand for online pharmacy and digital healthcare services. Initial sales demonstrating market demand despite website delays.
- Founder investment: Significant personal financial commitment already injected into the business.
- Robust financial forecasts: Accountant-supported projections showing strong turnover growth potential.
Sehar Shahid, Founder, 24 HR Pharmacy Lt said:
“DSL, in particular Lesley, was incredible to deal with. She really took the time to understand my business and our needs. She supported me with the whole process and made the process smooth and less stressful than if I had done it alone. She kept me updated throughout the whole journey and explained everything so well and supported me with a positive outcome.
Lesley Prentice, Loan Officer, DSL Business Finance, said:
“24 HR Pharmacy demonstrated strong professional expertise, clear commitment and a compelling growth strategy. Sehar’s extensive experience in online pharmacy and the investment already made by her gave us confidence in the business’s potential. We are delighted to support their journey and look forward to seeing the business expand.”
About the Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS)
The £100,000 loan from DSL Business Finance was delivered through the British Business Bank’s £150 million Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS), launched in October 2023. The fund offers loans ranging from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investments up to £5 million. DSL Business Finance manages the Smaller Loans Fund, supporting Scottish businesses with funding between £25,000 and £100,000.
