Abraham Khodadi: YouTube, BBQs and not playing it safe

A minute in the company of the social media educational video creator.

Abraham Khodadi, a community and practice pharmacist

Who has inspired you the most?

Growing up, Mr Butler of Butler’s Chemist in Bradford was an absolute legend. Everyone loved him. He inspired me to pursue pharmacy.

What is your ultimate career goal?

To be known globally for what I do.

Summarise your personality in three words?

Creative. Optimistic. Gentleman.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a pharmacist?

The two things I love doing are creating videos and travelling. Taking others on a journey while documenting life in other places would be a great opportunity.

What single innovation in pharmacy has made the most difference in your field?

The BNF app. This little innovation is a lifesaver! Easy to use and saves me so much time.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?

BBQs. In particular, making koobideh.

What are some small things that make your day better?

Receiving messages of support always helps, but most importantly my pharmacy team who I couldn’t be without.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

Travel abroad on your own. You learn so many new things about yourself.

What are you most looking forward to in the next 10 years?

To get married, start a family and get a dog — preferably a labrador.

What do you hope never changes?

The NHS principle that health is not to be commoditised. A good base level of care and treatment should be available to all. The beauty of the NHS is it aims to serve us all.

What are you absolutely determined to do?

Promote the role and expertise of pharmacists by empowering people with useful medical knowledge.

There are two types of people in this world. What are the two types?

Those with free time and those without. Free time is the enemy of progress.

What do you take for granted?

My height — 6’ 2”.

What small gesture from a stranger made a big impact on you?

They aren’t strangers, but many of my patients bake for me and even bring me a cup of coffee if they are passing by. Makes me feel appreciated and loved.

What could you do with £2m to impact the greatest number of people?

I would support my fellow scientists with their endeavours to make renewable energy a more accessible reality for society.

What risks are worth taking?

The most dangerous thing you can do in life is play it safe. There have been opportunities presented to me, but at the cost of not becoming a pharmacist. Instead I chose to pursue my dream and take the risk of incorporating both my passions (film making and pharmacy), without sacrificing one for the other.

What is the hardest lesson you have had to learn?

Not everyone will support you in your endeavours, but if you have a dream, pursue it. Never give up and I guarantee you will make it. 

If you were a drug, what drug would you be and why?

Lansoprazole or ‘Lanzarote’ as one of my patient’s affectionately calls it. Always makes me laugh when I see prescriptions for it.

Last updated
Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, Abraham Khodadi: YouTube, BBQs and not playing it safe;Online:DOI:10.1211/PJ.2018.20204847

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