Arise Sir Graeme

08 June 2010

Graeme Douglas is no stranger to the pharmacy world. However, as of

yesterday, he will be known by a different name – Sir Graeme.

Sir Graeme, founder and managing director of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, has

been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit at the
recent Queen’s Birthday honours.

His son, Jeff Douglas, says the family and close friends celebrated at the
Douglas' new apartment in Remuera Road, very close to Sir Graeme's orginal
pharmacy, which they are in the process of moving into after nearly 50 years
in Te Atatu. Sir Graeme's old school friend and brother-in-law, David Levene,
was invited to the celebration on the guise that it was a house-warming party.
Little did he know he was about to receive the same honour as Sir Graeme.

"This double knighhood in the family came as a total surprise as neither knew
of the other's knighthood. Both new knights enjoyed the numerous
congratulatory calls they received from friends and associates," Jeff says.

"Dad was certainly humbled by being selected for this honour."

Sir Graeme, now 81, was first made a member of the order in 1988, and has
spent the last 40 years involved in the family business and donating his time
to philanthropic causes.

His Te Atatu company took off after a cough syrup, created by Sir Graeme,
became widely successful in 1967. It is now worth around $100 million and
employs more than 450 staff.

This year’s award is for his services to philanthropy and athletics. Sir Graeme
was a representative shot-putter for Auckland and supports the Waitakere
City Athletics Club, which includes coaching programmes for athletes. He is a
financial supporter of the West Auckland Hospice, Medical Air Abroad, the
Heart Foundation and the Liggins Institute.