About Poetry Pharmacy

The Poetry Pharmacy began with a simple, quietly radical idea. That poetry can be a form of care. Founded by poet Deborah Alma, the Poetry Pharmacy treats poems as emotional first aid. Each book, bottle, and gift is created to offer comfort, insight, courage, and companionship in moments when words matter most. Our flagship shop in Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire is part apothecary, part bookshop, part sanctuary. Visitors receive poetry “prescriptions” for how they are feeling, browse curated shelves organised by emotional state, and discover our handmade Poetry Pills, glass bottles filled with carefully chosen lines printed on banana paper. Everything we make is rooted in slowness, craft, and intention. Products are designed in-house, assembled by hand, and guided by a deep respect for poetry as both art form and emotional tool. We work closely with poets, publishers, and independent makers, and we favour small, thoughtful production over mass manufacturing. The Poetry Pharmacy exists to normalise emotional honesty, invite reflection, and remind people they are not alone in what they feel. Our hope is that every item we send into the world carries a small but potent dose of solace, wonder, and human connection.Read their story