Pharmacist Amjad Aryan shares business prescription, plans university cooperation

Founder and CEO of Pharmacy 1 Amjad Aryan shared his story to an audience at Birzeit University on April 4, 2017, telling of humble beginnings in the pharmaceutical industry in Amman back in 2001. His chain has since grown to 77 locations nationwide, serving more than 6.5 million customers.

Aryan, who left the United States to open his business in Jordan, told students that he never gave up despite objections from family and friends.  “I believe that passion and ambition is all we need to full our dreams. This is how I was able to overcome the challenges and obstacles I faced in the beginning.”

The success of Pharmacy 1 chains, according to Aryan, was because of the team work he extolled within each branch and between employees and partners. He said that Pharmacy 1 depends on fresh graduates and capacity-building to improve and prosper.

He told students that they can make their own success stories through perseverance and hard work. He alluded to the strong role of innovative and creative marketing to attain successes and accomplishment.

Prior to his lecture, Aryan met with university president Abdullatif Abuhijleh and discussed cooperation. The meeting was attended by Acting Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Professions Rania Abu-Hamdah, chair of the Department of Pharmacy Lina Adwan, Director of Samih Darwazah Institute for Pharmaceutical Industries Hani Shtaya, and the head of the Advancement Services Section Nadine Sinokrot.

Abuhijleh and Aryan discussed working together in pharmaceutical industries services by giving a special focus to the Samih Darwazah Institute for Pharmaceutical Industries. The cooperation will enhance the institute’s scientific and human resources, conduct research, develop new products, and help create a cooperative environment with the local and regional pharmaceutical industries.

Aryan obtained a degree in pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston. He continued his education by specializing in Retail Pharmacy Management and obtained American Board of Pharmacy certification from both Massachusetts and Florida in the U.S..

Aryan is a winner of the Jordan Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the year 2010 and represented Jordan in the Monte Carlo-based Ernst and Young Global Entrepreneur Award for the year 2011. He was also named as Endeavor Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009.

Besides leading Pharmacy 1, he serves as chairman of the Mazaya Investment Company, chairman of Advanced Soft, member of the Board of Trustees at Isra’a University, member of the Young Presidents Organization Jordan chapter, board member at INJAZ, board member in the Jordanian Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), board member at the Health Care Accreditation Council, board member at Electronic Health Solution International (Hakeem) and board member in the Environment Fund. He is also the founder of several initiatives: "Mish 3aib", "Step and Mile", and "Mumken" focusing on decreasing unemployment rates and preparing youth for the job market.