Melbourne pharmacy owner, 65, brutally assaulted in the middle of his own store

A Melbourne pharmacy owner has been left with facial injuries after being brutally assaulted in his own store.

Russell Frajman, 65, had been attempting to remove a customer from his pharmacy on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda about 12.47pm yesterday, when he was subjected to a vicious attack.

Shocking CCTV footage shows Frajman speaking with a man in hi-vis and asking him to leave, shortly before he was punched in the face.

EXCLUSIVE: Byron was found dead in a Bali villa. His parents want to know what happened

NATIONAL: Cost of becoming a doctor 'contributing to the healthcare crisis'

He was left bruised, with cuts on his face and broken glasses.

His unknown attacker left the scene shortly after.

Frajman's wife, Charlotte, told 9News her husband was blindsided by the sudden coward punch.

"We've both been attacked in the pharmacy in the past, so we both have our wits about us," she said.

"But we just didn't see it coming."

Charlotte earlier told 3AW they waited five hours for police to arrive at the scene after the assault.

Frajman eventually attended the police station himself to report the assault.

"The last 12 to 18 months have just been diabolical and there are zero police," Charlotte told 3AW.

'To wait more than five hours after reporting on Triple-Zero an actual assault of a community pharmacist... and to have followed up with two phone calls directly to St Kilda police to say, 'What's going on? How long are we meant to wait?'."

An investigation into the assault is under way.

No arrests have been made.

A spokesperson for Victoria Police said police units were "tied up with multiple incidents", including arresting a drug dealer at the time of Frajman's assault.

"Officers contacted the victim via phone to explain the situation and initiate reports before being able to attend," the spokesperson said.

"Police continue to investigate the incident and are attending the pharmacy today to offer support to the victim."

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here