About us

It received its name then, since the people of Siófok, without exception, called the pharmacy that. I have known few people more devoted and humble towards the profession than them, who were healers in heart and soul – and not merchants.

Who, because of the economic and political situation, became entrepreneurs, but never forgot for a single minute what it means to be a pharmacist: to help people, to heal bodily and, indeed, sometimes spiritual troubles.

They ran the pharmacy successfully for nearly two decades and gave work to many employees. In professional circles they were famous for their openness, expertise, good heart and the family atmosphere that prevailed in their pharmacy.

The ancestor of Régi Gyógyszertár was called the Holy Spirit Pharmacy (Szentlélek Patika) and originally stood on Fő Square, in the heart of Siófok. I believe that, true to its name, the life of the pharmacy has been accompanied by blessing ever since, and this helped it through the crises and blows of the past decades.

In the socialist era it operated as State Pharmacy No. 50, and in 1970 it was moved to its present place on Fő Street. Under its wings the employees found secure livelihoods, and were also able to practise their profession at a high professional level. In 1995 privatisation put Hungarian pharmacies at a great crossroads, which decisively determined the future of pharmacies.

The dreamers of today's Régi Gyógyszertár were the pair of pharmacists who had by then been working in the pharmacy for more than 20 years: Mrs. István Kalmár, my mother, and Ilona Vágvölgyi.

Over the years they trained countless pharmacy students, who later succeeded in their careers and often came back for years to report their successes and to thank us for the experience gained here. Everyone came here gladly.

Sadly, in 2015, after a long illness, my mother closed her eyes for ever, and it quickly became a matter of the heart for me to continue her dream and to keep her memory alive within the walls of the pharmacy that was her life's work.

This could not have succeeded without my old friend, Dr. Péter Arnold and his wife, Dr. Szilvia Arnold-Kovács, who took on the professional tasks of the pharmacy and, together with me, believed that this pharmacy has a future.

A shining proof of the continuation of the spirit is that in 2018 the University of Pécs honoured us for our outstanding teaching activity, and five years later we hired a permanent pharmacist from among those who had done their practical training with us.

Péter and I believe that, contrary to current trends, thinking in an “old” way, providing those who work with us with, besides professional standards, secure livelihoods, a family atmosphere and a long-term career path is the best possible decision – for the business, for the town and for its people. Because a place where patients are helped with heart and soul will always be needed.

With love,
Annamária Kalmár