Stories of courage and indomitability – teams of the Podorozhnyk pharmacy chain

A year after the enemy attack, socially responsible business and Ukrainians all over the world are increasingly united and together are approaching victory. During these 365 days, we experienced moments of despair and unity, elation and tragedy, hope and suffering. For the Podorozhnyk chain of pharmacies, these events opened a new page for charitable projects, assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and team support.

Courage and courage to deliver medicine under fire

In the first days of the invasion, the country had to endure. Our armed forces and critically important industries, such as pharmaceuticals, worked for this. The need for medicine has become vital here and now, and the main secret of the functioning of the network is people and their dedication to their work and country.

The team of the Podorozhnyk pharmacy chain, which operates throughout Ukraine, did the almost unreal and delivered medicine to hot spots of the country. This made it possible not to close pharmacies and to provide pharmapica wherever possible. Maksym Sereda is one of those network drivers who delivered medicines under shelling and even to occupied settlements of Chernihiv and Kyiv regions. According to him, it is much scarier to sit at home and do nothing.

“During that period of the war, I drove 10,038 km… I won’t say exactly, but I traveled about 70 routes. I transported goods throughout the Kyiv region, where it was possible to drive. When I arrived, people and our colleagues were very happy. They met me as some kind of hero, although this is just my job“, Maksym Sereda said.

A chance to save and change life

For many, the war became a realization that one should not postpone dreams for later. The crisis opened up new opportunities and gave a chance for change and growth. The “Podorozhnyk” chain of pharmacies has maintained stability, continued development and is opening new pharmacies in such a difficult time. The company supports its employees and helps.

On the day of the enemy attack, the head of the network pharmacy “Plantain“ in Kharkiv, Yuliya Stepanova worked in a pharmacy by herself to protect the team from danger. Then, despite the shelling, she helped volunteers and people who needed medical help.

The risks to Yulia’s life increased and she was forced to leave for a safer region – the city of Kropyvnytskyi, where she continued to work. After some time, the team of the pharmacy network also showed an initiative for career growth “Plantain“ gave her such an opportunity. Julia’s life has changed – she works in the office as a manager. A chain of pharmacies “Plantain” continues to further promote the growth of its employees and provide Ukrainians with a pharmacy.

Invincibility and light of hearts

By cutting off the light, the enemy hoped to break the Ukrainians, but we, on the contrary, united and became invincible. More than 1,000 pharmacies of the “Podorozhnyk” chain of pharmacies are equipped with generators, and new ones are already opening with them.

In addition, the team also launched a useful initiative “Help to help”. People were urged to come to pharmacies and help with connecting and refueling the generator when the lights go out. Volunteers also helped with connecting the heating from the gas boiler. In this way, the chain of pharmacies “Podorozhnyk” provided high-quality pharmaceuticals and facilitated working conditions for its pharmacists.

Enemy attacks cannot stop the pharmapeak

Mass shelling of Ukraine is another cynical chapter of this war. We are destroyed, and we rebuild in a matter of hours. In particular, the shelling of the city of Vinnytsia in the summer shook the whole country. At that time, there were deaths and destruction in the city, and two pharmacies of the chain of pharmacies were also affected by the explosions “Plantain“.

The pharmacists remained unharmed because they were in shelter. But their courage and dedication to the profession is something the company is proud of. After all, the team of one of the pharmacies showed great composure. After the attack, before the arrival of medics and military pharmacists, they provided first aid to the victims.

With another shelling on December 31, the enemy wanted to spoil the New Year holiday. Then one of the Podorozhnyk pharmacies in the city of Khmelnytskyi was affected.

The glass of the facade shattered from the blast wave, and the ceiling collapsed in the room. But already on January 1, pharmacists opened the doors of the pharmacy to visitors, eliminating the damage.

Because of this, they worked together despite the danger and stress. Colleagues from other pharmacies and even relatives came to help.

Fighting on the front line and supporting the Armed Forces

Without our heroes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, we would not have survived this year and would not be able to make plans for the future now. Employees of the Podorozhnyk chain of pharmacies also protect Ukraine at the front in the ranks of the world’s strongest army.

One of them, Oleg, went to war in the summer, serves in the newly created assault unit, which is the first to enter cities and villages. You have to work in various dangerous directions.

An employee of the “Podorozhnyk” chain of pharmacies said that support in the rear is very important for soldiers. After all, behind your back are those whom you love, appreciate and respect.

The company also tries to provide this support. Since the beginning of the invasion, the “Podorozhnyk” chain of pharmacies launched the “Ambulance for the Armed Forces” project and since then handed over 34 special vehicles to the defenders. One of them also went to Oleg’s unit. The project continues, and Podorozhnyk will provide assistance to the Armed Forces until victory.

In addition to medicines, the network also handed over frame and frameless stretchers to the Lviv territorial centers of procurement and social support. From there, they will be directed to specific locations as needed. In addition, the necessary means of Starlink communication from the network went to one of the most difficult areas of the front – Bakhmut.

The Podorozhnyk chain of pharmacies is proud of its team, thanks to which the development and stability of Ukraine in general and the pharmaceutical market in particular is possible. This year, with our victory, the socially responsible business believes in rebirth and powerful prosperity and plans new winning projects.