Pharmacy View Podcast: Recent Episodes
Pharmacy View Podcast
Welcome to Pharmacy View – Technology in Pharmacy Business Podcast Series where we provide regular interviews with Pharmacists and key industry people within the Australian Pharmacy and associated industry. In each podcast we look to discuss aspects of Pharmacy operation and how technology is improving or interacting with each guest’s current role or Pharmacy related business.
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at Independent Pharmacies Australia (IPA) sits down with Nader Mitri, General Manager of PharmaPrograms, to explore how innovation, strategic thinking, and patient-first models are reshaping the Pharmacy landscape. With over two decades of experience, including owning three community pharmacies and holding a Master’s in Health Economics, Nader brings deep industry insight into how Pharmacists can expand their impact beyond the dispensary. Together, Melody and Nader unpack the challenges, opportunities, and future pathways for Pharmacists looking to create meaningful, lasting change in healthcare delivery.
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at Independent Pharmacies Australia (IPA) sits down with Sally Panton, Executive General Manager - Precision Health & Wellness at DBG Health and Director, Pantonic Health Pty Ltd. Sally shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a pharmacy-focused family to pioneering advancements in preventative healthcare, functional pathology, and point-of-care testing. She reflects on her early career at SEEK, where she developed a passion for innovation, and how that ultimately led her back to healthcare entrepreneurship. Throughout the conversation, Sally highlights the transformative impact of technology and innovation in the healthcare industry, particularly in making diagnostics more accessible and efficient.#PharmacyPodcast #PointOfCareTesting #PharmacyInnovation #HealthcareTech #PreventativeHealth #POCT #IndependentPharmaciesAustralia #PharmacyLeadership #HealthcareRevolution #IPA
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audirie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, speaks with Surge Singh, Co-Founder of Locumate and Locumate.ai. Surge shares how their platform is transforming the way Pharmacists connect with locum opportunities, addressing inefficiencies that have long plagued the industry. What started as a personal frustration—when Surge’s wife received an unexpectedly high invoice for a locum Pharmacist—led to the creation of a holistic talent orchestration platform. By leveraging high-tech solutions and combining technology with human interaction, Locumate has grown from a simple marketplace into an end-to-end staffing solution, making it easier for Pharmacies to find the right professionals quickly and efficiently.Over the past 2 years, Locumate has evolved significantly, expanding from a transactional marketplace into a comprehensive workforce management system. Initially, Pharmacies sought locums through external agencies, but Surge and their team recognised a broader issue: many Pharmacies first search within their internal networks before turning to external sources. To address this, Locumate developed a seamless solution that integrates internal talent pools, personal networks, agencies, and marketplaces, allowing Pharmacies to access the best professionals at the click of a button. This shift positions Locumate as a true orchestration engine for healthcare staffing, ensuring that the right professionals are matched with the right opportunities.Finding a suitable locum has often been compared to a blind date—uncertain and sometimes mismatched. Locumate is solving this by incorporating shift feedback data to identify workforce gaps and partnering with training providers like Audirie and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. By integrating AI-driven talent matching, the platform now ensures that the best-suited locum is placed in each Pharmacy, rather than just filling shifts. Demand from industry professionals has also led to Locumate’s expansion into other healthcare sectors, including physiotherapy and podiatry, further cementing its role as a scalable, multi-sector solution.Surge shares the journey of expanding into the U.S. market, a process that began with a chance conversation at an accelerator program and led to a pivotal meeting at the NCPA conference in Kansas City. Despite initial scepticism, a simple chat over a pumpkin spice latte with the CEO of the California Pharmacy Association resulted in a strategic partnership with the American Pharmacists Association, opening doors for Locumate in the U.S. However, breaking into the market required board approvals, legal navigation, and compliance with strict regulations, particularly in California.Looking ahead, Locumate is positioning itself as Australia’s first AI-enabled job board for Pharmacy, with plans to expand into the U.S. and other allied health sectors. The platform is broadening its scope to include Pharmacy technicians, retail staff, and students, while also focusing on workforce skill development through collaborations with organisations like the American Pharmacy Association. In the next five years, AI-driven recommendations will help Pharmacy professionals identify ideal career paths based on their skills and personalities, removing guesswork from job matching. Surge highlights the need for a mindset shift in the Australian Pharmacy industry, urging professionals to embrace technology-driven workforce solutions rather than resisting change. Ultimately, Locumate aims to revolutionise Pharmacy workforce management, ensuring that both professionals and employers benefit from a more structured, data-driven approach.
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at Independent Pharmacies Australia (IPA) sits down with Keely Paul, National Professional Services Manager at Independent Pharmacies Australia (IPA). With over 23 years of experience in the industry, Keely offers valuable insights into her journey, challenges faced by Pharmacists, and the evolving role of Pharmacies in healthcare. As she nears the completion of her Full Scope of Practice training, Keely discusses her passion for mentoring, her commitment to professional growth, and her belief in the power of strong professional connections within the Pharmacy sector.#PharmacyLeadership #PharmacySuccess #Teamwork #PharmacyCareers #HealthcareInnovation #PharmacistDevelopment #PharmacyPodcast
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host, Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, speaks with Kristina Fox, a Community Pharmacist and Pharmacy owner of Complete Care Pharmacy, Rosny Park. Kristina shares their transformative journey in reshaping Complete Care Pharmacy in Rosny Park. Kristina’s passion for implementing innovative healthcare services led to the creation of a scalable Pharmacy model, one that expanded far beyond their initial intentions. They reflect on the challenges of managing change, addressing staff burnout, and overcoming operational inefficiencies that hindered patient care. The conversation highlights how leadership and innovation in community Pharmacy can drive meaningful change.Kristina describes their approach to innovation as one of problem-solving rather than entrepreneurship. They focus on identifying inefficiencies and seeking practical solutions, which led to a complete overhaul of systems, processes, and Pharmacy layouts. The success of this transformation was due to the collective effort of the team, including Pharmacists, Pharmacy assistants, and front-of-shop staff. Kristina credits their support network, both professionally and personally, as a major factor in the success of the model.A major turning point for Kristina’s team was realising that merely adding more staff was not enough to improve operations. Facing operational chaos and the growing complexity of prescriptions, Kristina introduced a "digital basket" system to balance digital, paper, and vaccination requests. This idea prompted a shift from reactive problem-solving to a more visionary approach. Kristina sought the expertise of industry professionals to identify the right technology partners, and while initially facing resistance from developers, achieving even partial success was seen as a significant victory.Kristina advocates for starting rather than waiting for a perfect plan. They believe that large corporations often become paralysed by decision-making, whereas their Pharmacy embraced an iterative approach, launching a version one and refining it based on real-world feedback. Kristina also discusses how this approach applied to the development of the Complete Care Pharmacy model, emphasising the importance of risk-taking, continuous improvement, and teamwork in driving innovation within Pharmacy practice.Effective communication is another key theme Kristina explores in leadership. By engaging all team members in the process of change, from delivery drivers to senior partners, they facilitated a smoother transition to the new Pharmacy model. Activities such as fun team events, open discussions, and regular check-ins helped ensure ongoing feedback and fostered team morale. Kristina’s approach to communication included structured input from staff, such as "Shark Tank"-style pitch sessions, which allowed for innovation-driven decisions within the team.Kristina’s passion for reshaping community Pharmacy extends to their vision for a patient-centred approach that moves away from a volume-driven model. They believe that providing accessible, affordable healthcare and fostering happier Pharmacists are integral to improving patient outcomes. With the rise of automation and AI in Pharmacy practice, Kristina highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and effective communication in maintaining strong relationships within Pharmacy teams and with patients. By sharing their insights and offering support to others, Kristina hopes to inspire further industry-wide change.#CommunityPharmacy #HealthcareInnovation #PatientCare #Complete Care #EmotionalIntelligence #PharmacyAutomation #AIinPharmacy #FutureOfPharmacy #HealthcareLeadership #PharmacistRoles
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA) is joined by Vanessa Lontos, Head of Member Capability at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA). Together, they delve into the transformative role of holistic health care in Pharmacy, an approach that considers not just the medical needs of patients, but also their social, emotional, and mental well-being. Vanessa draws on her own experiences, both as a Pharmacy owner and a life coach, to share her passion for personalised, patient-centred care. She reflects on two pivotal moments in her life that have shaped her perspective: caring for her grandmother during her childhood, which highlighted the importance of accessible and empathetic health care, and overcoming her own health challenges through a combination of medication, yoga, and mindfulness. These experiences have driven her commitment to a holistic approach, which she believes is essential for improving patient outcomes.#PharmacyTraining #BlendedLearning #LMS #PharmacyEducation #IPA #PharmacistLife #HealthcareInnovation
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audirie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, speaks with Angela Stathopoulos, Group Manager of Education and Development at Chemist Warehouse. With nearly 30 years of experience across community, regulatory, and hospital Pharmacy sectors, Angela discusses her dedication to fostering the next generation of Pharmacy professionals. She elaborates on Chemist Warehouse’s dynamic approach to training, highlighting initiatives aimed at advancing Pharmacy practice, developing new services, and supporting early-career Pharmacists. Angela’s journey reflects a passion for embracing opportunities, which she encourages in those looking to grow within the field.Angela dives into the extensive training programs offered by Chemist Warehouse, ranging from an internally developed internship program to advanced CPD courses. Key initiatives like "Leading for the Future" and "Step Up" were designed to meet the evolving demands of the Pharmacy industry, and Angela explains that these programs were developed in consultation with stakeholders, providing both leadership training and support for early-career Pharmacists. Her approach emphasises Chemist Warehouse’s commitment to equipping Pharmacists with essential skills to navigate the ever-changing Pharmacy landscape while ensuring consistent, high-quality training across all locations.To achieve this consistency, Angela describes a hybrid model of in-person and online training, made possible through platforms like Zoom and AI-driven tools for Pharmacy assistant training. The integration of AI, she explains, is pivotal for maintaining scalable and standardised training, especially across Australia’s remote areas. However, Angela stresses that AI tools are only as effective as the team managing them, ensuring that quality standards are met. This combination of technology and human oversight allows Chemist Warehouse to meet the educational needs of Pharmacists in varied geographic regions while maintaining flexibility and adaptability.Internationally, Angela shares the challenges and successes of adapting Chemist Warehouse’s Australian training models for different regions, such as New Zealand, Ireland, and the UAE. Each region brings unique regulatory and cultural needs, requiring collaboration with local experts to ensure training aligns with local standards. Angela emphasises the importance of collecting feedback from both trainees and regional authorities, which informs improvements and adjustments to training programs. This feedback loop is essential for refining programs in a way that balances the needs of learners and the organisation, ensuring a strong return on investment.The conversation then shifts to the evolving skill requirements for Pharmacists, which have expanded from purely clinical skills to include critical soft skills like empathy, communication, and problem-solving. Angela explains that while technical expertise remains foundational, handling complex patient interactions and regulatory issues requires a broader skill set.Closing on a light-hearted note, Michael humorously offers Angela "magic powers" to enhance Chemist Warehouse's training program, to which Angela replies that she would clone her dedicated team to better address training demands. They discuss upcoming programs, such as the "Step Up" initiative for student Pharmacists and a Managing Partner pathway aimed at guiding Pharmacists from entry-level roles to ownership opportunities within the company. Angela's insights reveal Chemist Warehouse’s focus on career development and innovation, underscoring their commitment to expanding Pharmacists' clinical responsibilities and supporting a holistic approach to patient care.
In this episode of Pharmacy Ownership & Economics, a stream of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Natalie Sirianni, Director of Attain Business Brokers, speaks with Mark Churchill, Managing Director of Allfin. Mark shares his unique journey into pharmacy finance, starting with a background in asset finance and auctioneering before transitioning into banking and ultimately founding his own broking firm specialising in pharmacy finance. Throughout the episode, Mark provides invaluable advice for pharmacists considering ownership, from navigating the complexities of financing to assembling the right advisory team.Mark highlights the financial realities of Pharmacy ownership, noting that average valuations typically fall between $2-3 million. He recommends prospective buyers focus on acquiring Pharmacies where they already work, as familiarity with the operations, customer base, and financials can ease the transition. Mark also emphasises the importance of due diligence, demographic analysis, and cultural alignment, particularly for community-focused Pharmacies, as key factors in ensuring long-term success. Navigating financing can be one of the most challenging aspects of purchasing a Pharmacy, especially for first-time buyers. Mark explains the options available, from traditional bank loans, which typically cover 75-80% of the purchase price, to alternative funding sources such as parental support or secondary lenders. He underscores the importance of structuring loans properly to maintain cash flow viability and meet banks’ requirements. Mark also advises buyers to work within the Pharmacy they plan to purchase, as this familiarity reduces risks and improves financial sustainability.Partnerships in Pharmacy ownership present their own set of challenges and opportunities. Mark stresses the importance of clear partnership agreements to prevent conflicts and facilitate smooth exits when necessary. He advises new owners to focus on long-term growth, often committing at least five years to stabilise operations and realise returns. By working with experienced partners, new owners can mitigate risks, gain valuable insights, and grow equity.Finally, Mark underscores the critical role of trusted advisors in the ownership journey. He advises first-time buyers to work with industry-specific brokers, accountants, lawyers, and lease negotiators who understand the nuances of Pharmacy transactions. Delegating tasks like bookkeeping to professionals, he suggests, allows owners to focus on their customers and maintain a work-life balance. Ultimately, Mark advocates for strategic planning, professional guidance, and a focus on equity growth to ensure a successful and rewarding Pharmacy ownership experience.
In this captivating second part of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audirie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, continues his insightful conversation with Erin Fawcett, the Executive Director of Education and Professional Development at NAPSA, and Sebastian Harper, the National President of NAPSA. Together, they explore how NAPSA is driving innovation in Pharmacy education and empowering students to excel in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. From AI-driven tools to fostering interprofessional collaboration, this episode sheds light on the transformative initiatives shaping the future of Pharmacy practice.The discussion delves into the rising prominence of Pharmacist-led prescribing and other advanced roles within the healthcare system. Erin highlights NAPSA's use of cutting-edge technologies, such as AI-powered counselling simulations, to prepare students for the complexities of modern patient care. Sebastian adds that NAPSA’s initiatives encourage students to expand their skills beyond traditional degrees, focusing on enhancing patient care through continuous learning and innovation. Together, they underscore the importance of education and teamwork in addressing challenges like disease management and medication accessibility.The episode also explores the integration of AI into Pharmacy education and its impact on team training. Michael introduces Audirie’s AI-driven simulations for NAPSA members, enabling students to practise patient interactions with precision and confidence. Erin and Sebastian discuss how AI complements traditional training, helping all Pharmacy team members—from Pharmacists to assistants—perform at the top of their scope. This holistic approach aims to bridge skill gaps and elevate the overall standard of patient care, highlighting the critical balance between technology and human expertise in healthcare.Addressing the barriers in Pharmacy education, the conversation turns to placement opportunities and financial challenges. Erin advocates for reforms to ensure students have access to earlier and paid placements, improving experiential learning. Sebastian emphasises the value of rural placements for interprofessional collaboration and community impact, while Michael calls on universities and governments to ease the financial burdens that deter students from pursuing careers in underserved areas. These measures are seen as vital to building a robust and sustainable Pharmacy workforce.The episode concludes with excitement about the upcoming NAPSA Congress, the pinnacle event for Pharmacy students in Australia. Hosted at the University of Queensland, this week-long conference offers educational sessions, workshops, a trade expo, and vibrant social events. Sebastian shares their hopes for record-breaking attendance, while Erin highlights the benefits of NAPSA membership, including networking, scholarships, and mentoring opportunities. Together, they celebrate the Congress’s enduring legacy and its role in shaping the future of Pharmacy in Australia and New Zealand.
In this engaging episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audirie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, hosts Erin Fawcett, the Executive Director of Education and Professional Development at NAPSA, and Sebastian Harper, the National President of NAPSA. Together, they delve into the transformative roles of education, leadership, and advocacy in shaping the future of the Pharmacy profession. With personal insights, professional experiences, and a shared passion for advancing the Pharmacy industry, this episode offers an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation.Erin and Sebastian discuss the significant impact of NAPSA (National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association) on Pharmacy students' professional growth. Erin highlights how NAPSA acts as the peak advocacy body for students, offering unparalleled networking opportunities that build professional relationships and enhance knowledge for future success. Sebastian underscores the importance of NAPSA's national advocacy efforts, ensuring student concerns are heard by government bodies and stakeholders. Michael reflects on his own career, encouraging students to prioritise networking to unlock new opportunities and further their professional development.A key focus of the episode is NAPSA's efforts to combat "placement poverty," a pressing issue for students facing financial burdens during mandatory placements. Erin and Sebastian outline their campaign for government support similar to that provided to nursing students, aiming to make university more accessible amidst the rising cost-of-living pressures. Their advocacy reflects a broader mission to support Pharmacy students by improving accessibility and fostering an inclusive educational environment that enables future professionals to thrive.The discussion also explores the challenges and rewards of balancing leadership responsibilities at NAPSA with full-time studies and work commitments. Erin shares how teamwork and a shared vision for advancing the Pharmacy profession fuel their dedication to student advocacy, while Sebastian highlights the role of collaboration among NAPSA committees in managing the workload effectively. Both emphasise the lasting impact of their initiatives on the Pharmacy community, illustrating how passion and teamwork drive meaningful progress.Erin and Sebastian conclude with an inspiring vision for the future of Pharmacy, imagining a shift towards greater accessibility and a service-based model. They envision Pharmacies becoming integral hubs in Australia’s healthcare system, leveraging Pharmacists' expertise to ease pressures on the system and enhance patient care.This is only the beginning of their insightful discussion, with Part Two of this engaging conversation set to be released next week. Stay tuned!
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA) welcomes Pharmacist and Chemist Discount Center partner, Kavita Nadan, who is also the Co-Founder of Locumate. From her journey as a first-generation migrant from Fiji to becoming a trailblazer in the Australian Pharmacy industry, Kavita shares her remarkable story of resilience, leadership, and innovation. With a passion for empowering others and streamlining healthcare processes, Kavita discusses her path to Pharmacy ownership, her unique approach to team leadership, and her venture into the entrepreneurial world with Locumate. This conversation offers valuable insights into balancing personal and professional aspirations, and Kavita’s mission to shape the future of Pharmacy and beyond.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training stream, host Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist and Founder at Locumate is joined by Jenny Kirschner, a Pharmacist and the Founder of Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social-isolation (PALS). Jenny reflects on their unique career journey and the pivotal moments that inspired them to address the widespread issue of loneliness, particularly in healthcare settings. They explain how, despite some initial uncertainty in their Pharmacy career, they eventually carved out a meaningful path that prioritises authentic connection and patient care. Jenny’s story is a reminder that Pharmacists can bring their natural talents and passions into their work, creating impactful opportunities for both personal and professional growth.Jenny shares insights into some of the creative ventures they’ve spearheaded, including "Mother Funkers," a daytime dance party for mothers and their children. This initiative, designed to combat the isolation many mothers face, provided a joyful and energising space for moms to connect. Jenny’s entrepreneurial spirit also led them into the world of gluten-free chocolate making, an example of how following one’s passions can create unexpected, fulfilling career opportunities. Jenny encourages others to be bold in embracing their true selves, no matter their career path, as it can open doors to new and exciting endeavours.A significant focus of the conversation is Jenny’s work with PALS, which was inspired by their own experiences with loneliness during their Pharmacy studies and early career. PALS addresses the growing issue of loneliness, a concern that became even more pressing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jenny highlights the crucial role that Pharmacists can play in identifying lonely individuals and advocating for mental health within their communities. Through persistent outreach, Jenny developed a comprehensive training program that equips Pharmacists to address social isolation, helping them create stronger connections with patients and support mental well-being.Jenny also discusses the development of their accredited online training course, which teaches Pharmacists how to recognise and address loneliness in their patients. Featuring insights from global experts and real-life case studies, the course offers practical tools for Pharmacists to make a difference in their communities. Jenny stresses that Pharmacists, because of their close and frequent interactions with patients, are ideally placed to address social isolation, often through simple, yet meaningful, gestures. This course underscores the powerful impact Pharmacists can have on the lives of their customers beyond just filling prescriptions.As the episode wraps up, Jenny shares plans for the next 12 to 18 months, including a much-needed break to recharge and a national awareness campaign to further address loneliness. They invite others who share this passion to join the campaign and share their stories, emphasising the importance of collaboration and community support. Jenny’s reflections on balance and well-being, both in personal life and professional ambitions, serve as a valuable reminder that taking care of oneself is just as important as the work being done to care for others. This episode highlights the evolving role of Pharmacists and the growing need to address social isolation in healthcare.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host, Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, speaks with Curtis Ruhnau, Pharmacist, a partner at Emerton Pharmacy and President of the Pharmacists' Support Service (PSS). Curtis reflects on their journey into the pharmacy profession, driven by a passion for chronic care management and a commitment to supporting both patients and fellow Pharmacists. They share insights into Emerton Pharmacy’s recent dual recognition in 2024, winning Excellence in Community Engagement and Excellence in Harm Minimisation, demonstrating their dedication to patient care and public health.Curtis discusses the increasing importance of mental health and self-awareness within the Pharmacy profession, particularly post-COVID, where many Pharmacists face stress, uncertainty, and isolation. Drawing from their experience teaching medical students about self-awareness, Curtis highlights the need for greater advocacy around mental well-being in Pharmacy. They address how these challenges manifest in the evolving landscape of full-scope Pharmacy practice and emphasise the value of honest communication and proactive strategies for maintaining mental health.Curtis shares personal insights into managing stress, emphasising the importance of acknowledging imposter syndrome and viewing it as a prompt for continuous learning. They describe their own approach to upskilling and self-care, sharing personal practices like reflection and stress management techniques. Curtis further underscores the role of mentorship, community, and teamwork in professional success, acknowledging that leadership often involves collective effort and support.The episode concludes with a powerful discussion on the value of "listening with intention" in leadership. Curtis recounts lessons learned from Indigenous elders about the significance of deep listening and emotional intelligence in building empathetic and supportive teams. They highlight how small, intentional actions can strengthen the pharmacy community and foster a culture of care, reinforcing that empathy and active listening are essential for effective leadership and long-term growth in the profession.
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA) interviews John Kardis, Pharmacist and Director of Buy-IT-Right. John shares his inspiring journey from facing challenges in entering Pharmacy school to co-founding a successful Pharmacy network. His story highlights the importance of perseverance, community engagement, and innovative technology in transforming Pharmacy operations.
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA) sits down with Brad Butt, an influential figure in the Pharmacy Community. As the Founder and Lead Pharmacist at Mens Health Downunder and the Managing Partner at Cooleman Court Pharmacy in Weston ACT, Brad has made significant strides in advancing men’s health services across Australia. Join Melody and Brad as they delve into his inspiring journey from Community Pharmacy to establishing a leading male health clinic, explore the challenges and rewards of expanding healthcare services, and discuss the pivotal role of Pharmacists in providing compassionate, patient-centered care.Useful LinksRegister for the 2024 Australasian Mens Health Downunder Conference: MHD2024-Conference-Home | MHDU2024Pharmacists’ Support Service: - Pharmacists' Support ServicesPSA’s Pharmacist to Pharmacist Advice Line: Contact us | Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, Founder Host Scott Carpenter is joined by Natalie Sirianni, Director & Officer in Effective Control of Attain Pty Ltd, Director of Musculoskeletal Australia, and a Board Member of the Australian Institute of Business Brokers (AIBB). As a leading expert in Pharmacy business brokerage, Natalie offers a deep dive into the current trends and transformations within the industry. From navigating the impacts of the 60-day dispensing policy to leveraging the benefits of the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA), Natalie provides a comprehensive analysis of how these changes are reshaping the market. Join us to explore how the enthusiasm of emerging Pharmacists and the resilience of the industry are creating new opportunities and driving growth in the Pharmacy business.Natalie outlines their work in Pharmacy valuations and brokerage, including the impact of recent legislative changes such as the 60-day dispensing policy. Natalie explains the cyclical nature of Pharmacy valuations, influenced by economic conditions, community Pharmacy agreements, and interest rates. They highlight the industry's resilience during downturns and how its performance through events like COVID-19 has showcased its stability. Despite challenges such as the 60-day dispensing legislation, banks remain confident in lending to Pharmacies due to their consistent financial performance.The discussion turns to the 60-day dispensing policy, which initially caused uncertainty and panic in the market. As the policy was implemented, the industry began to recover as the financial impacts became clearer. Natalie notes that while the new system introduced challenges, it allowed for better quantification and adjustment, showcasing the industry's ability to navigate changes with resilience and a historical perspective.Natalie also addresses the broader impacts of the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA) and the new payments related to the 60-day dispensing policy. The 8CPA provides increased funding and stability, contrasting with the initial uncertainty of the transition period. This agreement has bolstered market confidence, leading to increased buyer interest and a resurgence in Pharmacy transactions. Sellers, particularly those nearing retirement who had previously postponed sales, are now re-engaging with the market, and valuations are expected to stabilize as confidence returns.Natalie further talks about the invaluable role of young Pharmacists entering the industry through mentorship and succession plans. They describe this dynamic as mutually beneficial: younger Pharmacists gain essential knowledge and business acumen from their more experienced counterparts, while seasoned professionals receive fresh energy and enthusiasm. Natalie believes this intergenerational collaboration is crucial for the continued growth and vitality of the Pharmacy sector, fostering a positive transition and ensuring that the industry remains vibrant and forward-looking.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audirie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Kerri Barwick, GM of Education & Training at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA). In this episode, Kerri sheds light on the revolutionary AI-powered training simulation platform Audirie and its transformative impact on Pharmacy education. This episode delves into the journey of integrating AI into training, the challenges faced, and the remarkable benefits observed, offering listeners a glimpse into the future of Pharmacy training and education. Join us as we explore how Audirie is setting new standards in the industry and hear Kerri’s insights on the upcoming PSA National Conference and its focus on "Pathways to Progress."Kerri delves into the innovative launch of Audirie, an AI-powered training simulation platform designed to enhance performance evidence in Community Pharmacy Training. This world-first initiative allows for realistic customer interactions, surpassing traditional methods like written evidence and phone simulations. It not only meets compliance requirements but also offers invaluable feedback for learners, marking a significant advancement in pharmacy education.Kerri discusses the numerous advantages of the AI-powered training tool, Audirie, in enhancing Pharmacy education. They emphasize that the tool provides objective and constructive feedback, significantly improving Pharmacists' communication and counseling skills. While technical knowledge remains crucial, effective communication can greatly enhance patient interactions and overall professional satisfaction. The potential for Audirie to standardize training and boost confidence among Pharmacy interns is highlighted, leading to improved patient care and professional development.Kerri also addresses the challenges and benefits of preceptor training in Pharmacy education. Despite PSA offering accredited preceptor training, it remains non-mandatory, resulting in many preceptors lacking formal teaching skills, which impacts the quality of intern training. Kerri underscores the value of AI-powered tools like Audirie in providing objective feedback, enhancing communication skills, and boosting confidence among pharmacy interns. They share personal experiences, noting the advantages of having clear, recorded assessments over subjective feedback, which can significantly enhance the learning experience.Addressing the challenges and misconceptions surrounding AI in Pharmacy training, Kerri explains that some resistance stems from a lack of understanding of AI technology, particularly its ability to handle dynamic and natural conversations. Despite initial awkwardness, AI avatars have proven to be highly responsive and capable of managing complex scenarios and varied interactions. Kerri emphasizes the importance of continuous testing to fully understand AI’s capabilities and benefits in educational settings, encouraging organizations to embrace this technology.In the final segment, Kerri offers advice to organizations considering AI-powered training solutions, stressing the importance of setting realistic timeframes and recognizing the technology's vast potential. They also preview the upcoming PSA conference, highlighting its theme "Pathways to Progress" and the exciting range of sessions and networking opportunities. Kerri emphasizes the value of connecting with peers and gaining inspiration from the event to rejuvenate one's passion for the Pharmacy profession, encouraging attendees to engage fully in this transformative experience.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audirie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Kerri Barwick, GM of Education & Training at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA). Kerri shares their unique journey from business studies to Pharmacy, highlighting their innovative approach to training and the evolving role of Pharmacists. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on overcoming industry challenges and the exciting future of Pharmacy.Kerri shares their inspiring journey into the Pharmacy profession, starting as a casual Pharmacy Assistant in high school. Initially pursuing a business degree, Kerri found themselves drawn back to Pharmacy roles, eventually deciding to study Pharmacy while raising young children. This blend of business acumen and Pharmacy skills has enabled Kerri to create innovative training programs at PSA, leading to rapid career advancement into their current leadership role.Kerri discusses how their unique career path has influenced their approach to Pharmacy. Unlike many who transition from Pharmacy to business studies, Kerri's journey began with a business degree. This provided them with a distinct perspective on the importance of business skills in Pharmacy. Kerri underscores the support banner groups offer to Pharmacists in areas like marketing and business management, although they believe more can be done to enhance Pharmacists' understanding of customer relationships and long-term business value.In their role at PSA, Kerri oversees a wide range of responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration. They manage the organization of major conferences like PSA-24, various educational workshops, and qualifications such as the Diploma of Leadership Management. Additionally, Kerri oversees CPD products and new credentials like Pharmacist Prescribing. Building relationships through meetings with partners, universities, and internal teams is crucial to achieving the department's goals, according to Kerri.Kerri highlights the significant challenges faced by Pharmacists, including time constraints and workforce shortages, especially in rural and remote areas. They emphasize the need for flexible training programs that can be accessed anytime and anywhere to accommodate these challenges. Despite the increasing demand for Pharmacists due to expanded roles like immunization and aged care, the profession often struggles with recognition and respect. Nonetheless, Kerri remains optimistic about the positive changes and increased authority Pharmacists are beginning to experience.Kerri further discusses the complexities of training Pharmacy professionals in a demanding work environment, stressing the importance of balancing work and continuing education. They note the debate over the necessary training for Pharmacists to prescribe medications, pointing out that many Pharmacists already possess the required competencies. The competency framework helps identify training gaps, and Kerri stresses the importance of professional judgment and CPD in addressing these gaps. While acknowledging the differing views on training requirements, Kerri is hopeful about the evolving role of Pharmacists and the exciting opportunities on the horizon. Note: This insightful discussion is part one of the episode, with the second part to be released next week.
Welcome to a special episode of the Pharmacy Podcast, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA). Today, we have a unique treat for our listeners as guest host Andrew Pattinson steps in. Andrew is the Chief Innovation Officer at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA), and for this special episode, he is joined by Kos Sclavos AM, the Chairman of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia. Together, they dive deep into the strategies and innovations shaping the future of Pharmacy in Australia. This insightful discussion covers everything from the latest 8CPA to the importance of strategic investments and the evolving role of Pharmacists in community care. Stay tuned for an episode packed with valuable insights and expert advice!
In our 100th episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC, interviews Michael Beck, Director of Med-ID for Australia and New Zealand. Michael shares their entrepreneurial journey from small business beginnings to spearheading innovation in the Pharmacy industry with SynMed robots. Join the two as they explore the transformative impact of automation and the future of medication safety and pharmacy operations.Michael recounts their early career in small business and retail before transitioning into medical radiation technology, where they played a pivotal role in the digital transformation of medical imaging. This journey eventually led Michael into the Pharmacy sector, where they pioneered the deployment of SynMed robots for medication packing. They highlight their collaboration with Lucy Walker, marking the first SynMed implementation in an Australian Pharmacy.Scott and Michael further explore their efforts to revolutionize medication safety and Pharmacy operations. Michael discusses their partnership with Dr. Paul Gooden and the establishment of Med-ID, detailing their journey from conceptualization to navigating challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite obstacles, they successfully introduced SynMed robots across Australian Pharmacies, scaling their business significantly and eventually merging with BD Rowa to form BD Rowa SynMed.The conversation shifts to the innovative aspects of SynMed technology, emphasizing its robust design with metal components and advanced pick-and-place mechanisms for precise and rapid medication packaging. Michael underscores SynMed's role in not only solving logistical challenges but also enhancing Pharmacy revenue streams through efficient service delivery. They highlight SynMed's seamless integration with major software systems and the support received from pioneers in Australian medication packing.Scott reflects on his extensive tenure in the Pharmacy industry, focusing on the evolving landscape and the importance of customer relationships, particularly in aged care settings. Michael expands on the strategic implications of robotics and automation in pharmacies, advocating for models like the hub and spoke system to optimize efficiency and customer engagement. They conclude with a discussion on community engagement, emphasizing how Pharmacies can meet the growing demand for healthcare services among aging populations by offering enhanced, frequent services like health checks and consultations.Overall, Scott and Michael underscore the transformative impact of automation on Pharmacy operations, envisioning a future where technological advancements not only streamline processes but also elevate patient care and business sustainability in the healthcare sector.
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA) is joined by James Reid, the Head of Apex Implementation at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA). From marathon running to Pharmacy ownership, James shares his resilience, dedication, and commitment to empowering pharmacists across Australia. Get ready to be inspired by his story of overcoming challenges and making a difference in the Pharmacy industry!
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host, Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, welcomes Shaylee Mills. A Rural Pharmacist, Pharmacy Help Karratha, who is also the National PSA Intern Pharmacist of the Year 2022. Shaylee shares their unique journey into Pharmacy, their dedication to rural healthcare, and insights on mentoring future Pharmacists. Tune in to discover the challenges and rewards of a fulfilling career in Rural Pharmacy.Shaylee shares their unexpected journey into Pharmacy, inspired by a love for organic chemistry found in university course books. They recount their diverse experiences across metropolitan, rural, and hospital Pharmacies, as well as their involvement in student advocacy and research. Shaylee’s passion for Rural Pharmacy was solidified during a placement in Karratha, leading them to return and continue their impactful work in the community.Shaylee discusses their deep commitment to Rural Pharmacy, shaped by their upbringing in a rural area and professional experiences in rural healthcare. They emphasize critical challenges such as workforce shortages and limited access to doctors, highlighting Pharmacists' vital role in these communities. Shaylee advocates for increasing the rural healthcare workforce and shifting the Pharmacy model towards primary care to better support patients.Shaylee shares insights on the distinct advantages of pursuing a career in Rural Community Pharmacy, highlighting the immense professional satisfaction and rapid career progression it offers. They address the misconception that Community Pharmacy lacks clinical opportunities, illustrating how rural settings provide a rich, clinical work environment. Additionally, Shaylee emphasizes the work-life balance and rewarding community connections that come with living and working in rural areas.Chantelle and Shaylee discuss the importance of self-care and preventing burnout in early career Pharmacists. Shaylee emphasizes three key leadership skills: self-awareness, adaptability, and determination. They explain that self-awareness involves understanding one's emotions and reflecting on personal capacity and stress levels. Adaptability is crucial, especially in rural settings where circumstances can change rapidly. Determination helps push through challenging times until conditions improve, maintaining a sustainable and fulfilling career in Pharmacy.Shaylee also discusses their role in nurturing early career Pharmacists within the Karratha community, emphasizing the importance of mentoring Pharmacy students. This mentorship leads to successful recruitment and retention of future Pharmacists. Shaylee shares their passion for providing students with positive experiences, inspired by their own journey and impactful mentors. They highlight the gratifying nature of this work, noting that about 50% of their current staff were once students who interned with them, underscoring the effectiveness of their mentorship and community-building efforts.Additionally, Shaylee addresses the misconceptions and pain points that deter Pharmacists from pursuing rural positions, such as isolation, workload, and relocation challenges. They counter these concerns with their own positive experiences and the support systems available, including financial aid and unique professional opportunities. Shaylee emphasizes the importance of early conversations about rural healthcare careers at the university level to inspire and inform future Pharmacists, advocating for greater awareness and discussion about the benefits and unique experiences of Rural Pharmacy practice.
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA) is joined by Karen Carter, Pharmacist and owner of Narrabri Pharmacy and partner at Carter’s Pharmacy in Gunnedah. Karen shares her journey from a farm in Gunnedah to leading innovative rural healthcare initiatives in Australia. Join us as we explore her dedication to community health, her family's deep roots in the Pharmacy business, and her vision for the future of rural healthcare.
Episode: 98Episode Title: Pharmacy Showdown: Inside the PBM Power Play in the U.S.In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Dr. Drew Oliveira, Executive Director, Washington Health Alliance and Clinical Associate Professor, University of Washington; and Denise Giambalvo, Director, Member Engagement & Business Strategy, Washington Health Alliance. Together, they explore the intricate dynamics of the Pharmaceutical market, focusing on the impact of PBMs and the broader disparities in the U.S. healthcare system. Tune in to uncover how vertical integration, financial incentives, and payment model reforms could reshape patient care and outcomes.Denise delves into the complexities of the pharmaceutical market, particularly focusing on the role and impact of PBMs. They highlight the dominance of three major PBMs that control 80% of the market, creating a system that often prioritizes profits over patient care. Denise explains how vertical integration enables PBMs to manipulate drug pricing, even within programs aimed at assisting low-income patients, and describes the financial challenges faced by Pharmacies due to PBM practices like clawbacks, which often result in financial losses for Pharmacies.Denise elaborates on the challenges independent Pharmacies face due to PBMs' vertical integration, where PBMs own Pharmacies and manage the entire supply chain. This integration allows PBMs to benefit from practices like spread pricing, where they charge health plans more than they reimburse Pharmacies, pocketing the difference. Denise underscores the lack of transparency in PBM operations and its impact on costs for both employers and patients. Additionally, the discussion covers the significant role of specialty drugs in healthcare costs and how PBMs leverage their control to profit through rebates and preferred drug listings.Further, Dr. Drew and Denise discuss the disparities and complexities within the U.S. healthcare system, emphasizing the dominance and profit mechanisms of PBMs at various stages of the pharmaceutical supply chain. The conversation reveals how PBMs and consultants create a biased market, influencing employer choices through back-end financial incentives, exacerbating the lack of transparency, and ultimately affecting drug costs. Denise also highlights the need for data-driven strategies to address health inequities, stressing the importance of removing financial and access barriers to improve patient outcomes.In a thought-provoking exchange, host Michael Alexander asks Denise and Dr. Drew Rivera about the most impactful change that could improve patient care in the U.S. healthcare system. Both suggest that changing the payment model to a global or episode-based payment for primary care would be transformative. Dr. Rivera also proposes a federalized healthcare system as a controversial yet potentially effective solution for aligning incentives and enhancing care quality. The episode concludes on a lighter note, with Dr. Rivera sharing his passion for jazz music and Denise discussing their enjoyment of dancing and pickleball, highlighting the importance of balancing professional and personal interests.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Dr. Drew Oliveira, Executive Director, Washington Health Alliance and Clinical Associate Professor, University of Washington; and Denise Giambalvo, Director, Member Engagement & Business Strategy, Washington Health Alliance. Together, they unravel the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system, exploring solutions and challenges in enhancing quality and affordability. Denise discusses their journey from the retail industry to their current role, focusing on enhancing healthcare quality and reducing costs. They emphasize the importance of employer-led coalitions and their commitment to improving employee care delivery, particularly in Seattle, where they are engaged in their third coalition endeavor.Dr. Drew Oliveira shares their diverse background, transitioning from family physician to the insurance industry, gaining insights into U.S. healthcare practices. They highlight the employer's role in creating self-insured health plans and their current focus on improving quality, access, and affordability in healthcare. They are dedicated to addressing health disparities, especially within the employer community. Dr. Oliveira delves into the evolution of the U.S. healthcare system, from apothecary-driven care to the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid, while addressing persistent challenges like the uninsured population and rising healthcare costs.Further, Dr. Oliveira explores historical attempts to implement national healthcare programs, highlighting resistance from various stakeholders and discussing proposed solutions like Medicare for All. They emphasize the importance of aligning physician workforce distribution with population needs to enhance healthcare quality and cost-effectiveness. Denise reflects on the cultural challenges associated with implementing a single-payer or government-led healthcare system in the United States, expressing concerns about government intervention potentially limiting individual freedom in healthcare decisions.Additionally, Denise and Dr. Oliveira delve into the multifaceted role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), discussing their functions in claims adjudication, formulary development, and rebate negotiations. They highlight the complexities of formularies and rebate negotiations, shedding light on how these processes impact healthcare costs and patient access to medications. Overall, the episode provides insightful discussions on healthcare challenges and strategies for improvement.Note: Stay tuned for Part 2 as we explore the American healthcare system with Dr. Drew and Denise next week.
In this episode of Pharmacy Podcast, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA), host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA) is joined by Steven Kastriaskis, Managing Director, Pharmacist, and Partner of the Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group (IPA). Listen to the episode for an insightful discussion on innovation, empowerment, and the future of independent Pharmacies.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Anthony Sapountzis, Co-Founder and CTO of Aerion Technologies. Listen to the episode and delve into the transformative role of technology and AI in the Pharmacy sector. The episode also covers insightful discussions on entrepreneurship, AI development, and the future of Pharmacy operations.Anthony talks about their journey from university to entrepreneurship and the evolving landscape of technology. Anthony's lifelong passion for technology has guided their career, transitioning from a developer's role to a business leader, driven by problem-solving and a desire to assist others. They recount the inception of their entrepreneurial journey during a summer internship, where they seized an opportunity to collaborate on a project with La Trobe University, leading to the establishment of their own business—Aerion Technologies.Anthony then delves into the intricacies of AI development, emphasizing the importance of utilizing AI to enhance processes rather than integrating chatbots for the sake of it. They discuss the challenges of setting up effective guardrails within AI-driven applications and caution against overreliance on AI to handle tasks without human oversight autonomously. Despite AI's transformative potential, Anthony stresses the need for caution, ethical considerations, and human judgment in its implementation.The discussion extends to the impact of AI in the Pharmacy sector, highlighting its role in price comparison, marketing analysis, and administrative tasks. While AI streamlines certain aspects of Pharmacy operations, Anthony emphasizes the continued importance of human interaction and cautions against expecting AI to replace Pharmacists entirely. They advocate for a nuanced approach to integrating AI into daily Pharmacy operations, considering the complexities of Pharmacist-patient interactions and the ethical implications of AI usage.Looking ahead, Anthony anticipates further advancements in AI and its integration into programming and development processes. They highlight the potential for AI to revolutionize industries but emphasize the importance of maintaining control over autonomous systems. Anthony also shares insights on storytelling in movies and their company's presence on various social media platforms, aiming to provide valuable content to assist individuals in app and software development.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host, Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, engages in a dynamic conversation with Maria Cooper, a Community Pharmacist and a PhD Candidate at the University of South Australia. Maria advocates for enhancing the mental health of the Pharmacy workforce through peer support, reflecting on their journey and the need for support during unprecedented challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation spans topics from the transition of early-career Pharmacists to mid-career professionals to Cooper's serendipitous entry into research, leading to a Ph.D. focusing on peer support in community Pharmacies.Maria delves into their ongoing research addressing the historical stigma towards Community Pharmacy, the challenges young Pharmacists face, and the unique role community Pharmacies play during crises. They stress the importance of recognizing the value of Community Pharmacy, especially in providing crucial in-person support during emergencies. The survey data presented highlights the job satisfaction of Community Pharmacists, emphasizing the need for acknowledgment, remuneration, and public awareness regarding the complexity of their work.The conversation unfolds to encompass the necessity of substantial organizational and legislative changes within the Pharmacy profession, including a shift in workplace cultures. Maria advocates for equipping Pharmacists, especially recent graduates in leadership roles, with conflict resolution and leadership skills. The discussion underscores the importance of peer support among employee Pharmacists, drawing attention to the unique challenges those in Community Pharmacies face.Maria provides historical context to peer support, tracing its presence in various forms for centuries. They highlight the feasibility study on peer support in early career Pharmacists, encouraging an open-minded and calm approach to maximize its benefits. The episode concludes with Cooper emphasizing the significance of longitudinal data in understanding changes in the Community Pharmacy climate and inviting participation in the survey, offering five $100 Visa gift cards as an incentive.Maria's survey for ECPs: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/maria-cooper-130275253_hi-all-me-again-i-hope-youve-all-had-activity-7157920591243530240-Z8c8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
In this episode of PAGCAST, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Platform Alliance Group, host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Platform Alliance Group, is joined by Gary Khoo, Proprietor of the Chemist Discount Centre Gosnells. Gary is no stranger to excellence in Pharmacy services, as his Pharmacy has earned its place among the six finalists competing for the prestigious Guild Pharmacy of the Year 2024. Uncover Gary's remarkable journey, from challenging industry norms to transforming his Pharmacy with CDC strategies. This episode delves into innovation, patient-centric care, and the continuous pursuit of excellence in the ever-evolving landscape of Pharmacy.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training stream, host Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist and Founder at Locumate is joined by Ghassoub El Assaad, a Community Pharmacist and Founder of PharmacyDownUnder. Listen in as the episode seamlessly weaves Ghassoub’s journey, insights into the challenges and growth within the Pharmacy profession, and a forward-looking vision for the transformative future of Pharmacy services.Ghassoub starts the conversation by reflecting on their transformative journey within the Pharmacy profession, shedding light on the evolving perception of the role over the past five years. Initially viewing Pharmacy as centered around routine tasks, Ghassoub now emphasizes its multifaceted nature, advocating for a broader understanding beyond dispensing and customer interactions.The narrative delves into Ghassoub's personal and professional growth, shaped by a family deeply ingrained in healthcare and a mentoring experience that significantly impacted their career trajectory. Expressing gratitude for the impactful guidance received during their internship, Gus highlights the rarity of such supportive mentorship in the Pharmacy field, culminating in the creation of Pharmacy DownUnder—a platform aimed at filling the void in mentorship and knowledge-sharing for Pharmacy interns. COVID-19's impact on the Pharmacy profession becomes a focal point, with Ghassoub addressing the challenges faced by new graduates during the pandemic. The discussion pivots towards bridging the gap between clinical knowledge and effective communication, emphasizing the importance of balancing high-level clinical thinking with accessible language for community engagement.Ghassoub then unfolds the intricacies of adapting to online platforms, sharing insights into content creation for Pharmacy interns and early career Pharmacists on platforms like LinkedIn and YouTube. The importance of maintaining a growth mindset and the power of delayed gratification is emphasized, offering practical advice for personal and professional development.The episode concludes with Ghassoub's forward-looking perspective on the rapid evolution of Pharmacy, anticipating expanded prescribing rights and increased service accessibility. The overarching theme underscores the Pharmacist's role as a health professional, promoting a community-centric approach and positioning Pharmacies as pivotal contributors to healthcare services.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, is joined by Jacob Warner, CPD Manager at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Join the conversation as Jacob shares their unique journey in the Pharmaceutical field, leading the reshaping of Pharmacy standards, and navigating the intricacies of project management with transparency and adaptability at the forefront. Discover the challenges, triumphs, and valuable insights into the collaborative process of defining standards for the dynamic pharmacy profession.Jake starts the conversation by sharing about their diverse journey into the Pharmaceutical field, spanning academia, clinical Pharmacy, and publishing. As the project lead in reshaping Pharmacy standards, Jake highlights the collaborative efforts, inclusivity, and evolving goals of the project, resulting in a comprehensive set of standards applicable to all Pharmacists.Diversity and inclusivity take center stage as Jacob discusses their transparent approach to shaping Pharmacy standards. They underline the importance of varied perspectives, setting the scene for each meeting, and documenting contentious points, ensuring everyone's voice is heard. The utilization of online platforms facilitates extended discussions, fostering an environment valuing diverse opinions beyond limited meeting times.Jacob then details the challenges of revising Pharmacy standards, emphasizing the need for a contemporary and applicable approach. Unexpectedly transformative, the project aligns standards with the medicine management cycle. Jake's commitment to transparency is evident as they navigate through substantial changes, leading to a lengthy but valuable process marked by continuous modifications.Project management intricacies are revealed as Jacob discusses the dynamic nature of chairing meetings. The importance of adapting to each chair's style, maintaining clear aims, and addressing points of contention is underscored. Challenges faced in writing standards are illuminated, highlighting the learning curve and the focus on consistency and clarity in communication.Jacob's approach to project management involves leveraging online collaboration tools and maintaining a clear project timeline. The adaptability and flexibility of the Pharmacy profession are emphasized, aligning standards with daily frontline practices and recognizing the skills Pharmacists already possess.Closing the loop in discussions is Jacob's key to progress, ensuring continuous dialogue, transparent decision-making, and alignment with project goals. Their leadership toolbox includes the essential tool of transparency, fostering collaboration where everyone's voice is valued.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Anisha Patel, a Clinical Pharmacist and Senior Clinical Lecturer at King's College (London). Anisha is also the Founder of the Pharmacist Diaries Podcast. Join us for the second half of this insightful episode as Anisha dives even deeper into the multifaceted canvas of a Pharmacist's journey. Get ready for more revelations, inspirations, and a roadmap to crafting a thriving career in the dynamic world of Pharmacy!Anisha reflects on the enriching experiences gained through hosting the podcast. They express surprise at the determination and dedication exhibited by Pharmacists worldwide in diverse roles, emphasizing the impactful contributions Pharmacists make to patient care. Anisha highlights the inspiring stories shared by guests, leading to newfound interests and connections. They emphasize the overwhelming willingness of Pharmacists to share their journeys, fostering a community of support, growth, and inspiration.Anisha discusses the evolving landscape of Pharmacy education in the UK. Anisha anticipates a significant shift by 2026, where Pharmacy graduates will emerge not just as Pharmacists but as prescribers with the legal authority to prescribe any drug. To prepare students for this transition, the curriculum is adapting to include more clinical experiences, simulation labs, and placements in diverse healthcare settings, ensuring students gain hands-on experience in prescribing scenarios. Anisha expresses excitement about the upcoming change while acknowledging the need for thorough preparation to meet the challenges of this transformative shift.Anisha shares their passion for connecting with people and delves into the roots of their curiosity and love for communication. Anisha emphasizes the importance of finding one's passion and doing something that lights them up every day. They reflect on their upbringing, shaped by parents who instilled a love for connecting with diverse communities. Anisha highlights the joy they find in podcasting, transforming conversations into a source of genuine happiness, transcending the boundaries between work and personal fulfillment.Anisha Patel reflects on the dual facets of their career journey, acknowledging the serendipity that led to significant opportunities in the early stages. They emphasize the importance of embracing chance and venturing beyond one's comfort zone, citing their own experience of finding unexpected strengths in education, training, and pediatric care. Anisha advises listeners not only to follow their passions but also to explore new avenues, conduct gap analyses, and confront fears head-on for personal growth. As a podcaster, they share insights into overcoming communication apprehensions and the joy derived from the ongoing progress in their journey.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Anisha Patel, a Clinical Pharmacist and Senior Clinical Lecturer at King's College (London). Anisha is also the Founder of the Pharmacist Diaries Podcast. This episode delves into Anisha's passion for Clinical Pharmacy, their training experiences in the UK, and the evolving landscape of the Pharmacy sector. Listen in as Anisha shares the hurdles faced while seeking international opportunities, including a fascinating role managing emergency services during the Formula One event in Abu Dhabi.Raised in a family that owned Pharmacies, Anisha spent their teenage years immersed in healthcare environments. Moving from the UK to the US for college presented challenges, and despite excelling academically, they struggled with the pressure to pursue a traditional high-achieving career. After exploring medical school options, Anisha chose Pharmacy, driven by a desire to align their career with their creative side. Returning to the UK in 2005, they immersed themselves in Pharmacy studies, embracing both community and hospital settings. Detailing their training year and experience in the UK, Anisha explains the evolving options in Pharmacy sectors, such as split placements. They express a passion for Clinical Pharmacy, particularly in a hospital setting, where they enjoyed engaging with patients and optimizing medication plans. Anisha opens up about the challenges faced while seeking opportunities abroad, specifically in the UAE, shedding light on the unique dynamics of Pharmacy practices, cultural considerations, and the hurdles in securing a job.Anisha then recounts their unique experience working for the government agency National Ambulance during the Formula One event in Abu Dhabi. In this role, they managed emergency services, overseeing the medical center and ambulances for the event. Anisha highlights the challenges and responsibilities, including preparing ambulances, licensing international consultants, and providing crucial education on legal aspects of prescribing medications, especially concerning controlled drugs. Their passion for education and training emerges as they share the intricacies of ensuring a seamless healthcare support system during the high-profile Formula One weekend.Anisha chronicles their diverse career journey from leading emergency services at National Ambulance to building a Pharmacy for Formula One events and immersing themselves in pediatric and educational roles. As a leader, communicator, and educator, Anisha discusses their passion for training paramedics, creating e-learning packages, and advocating for paramedics to administer drugs. Their transition back to the NHS involves a blend of pediatrics and education, eventually leading to the creation of the "Pharmacist Diaries Podcast" aimed at inspiring Pharmacy students to explore the vast career opportunities within the field.Note: Stay tuned for Part 2 as we continue to explore Anisha's impactful journey in Pharmacy.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Nicole Cathcart and Sean Karbowicz from MedSavvy. In this gripping conclusion of our two-part series with the duo from Medsavvy, we delve deeper into the intricacies of entrepreneurship, the transformative power of innovation, and the dynamic landscape of healthcare technology. Join us for the thrilling conclusion of insights, challenges, and forward-looking perspectives. The episode explores the iterative and collaborative approach to innovation within the tech company, emphasizing the importance of creating an open and idea-driven environment. Nicole and Sean share their experiences, detailing the challenges and perseverance required in entrepreneurship, debunking the myth of overnight success, and highlighting the need for persistence and passion. The conversation delves into the internal and external challenges faced by entrepreneurs, touching on topics such as relinquishing control, healthcare system complexities, and the pragmatic aspects of committing fully to a venture.The guests provide valuable insights into personal and pragmatic considerations, the dynamic nature of the entrepreneurial process, and the inevitability of setbacks. Nicole's optimistic perspective on bouncing back from intellectual property losses underscores the creative potential in overcoming challenges. The paradox of personalization in healthcare technology is explored by Sean, emphasizing the risk of technology replacing human touch and advocating for a disruptive approach to scaling the impact of clinicians.The significance of AI in healthcare, preserving human-like interactions, and the transformative potential of appreciating health equity are discussed. The conversation reflects on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging the diverse preferences and backgrounds of healthcare consumers. The speakers stress the need for technology that caters to a broad range of individuals, moving beyond designing for specific demographics, and fostering positive change in the industry.Nicole's insights on navigating the innovation journey highlight curiosity, patience, and adaptability as key attributes. Sean underscores the importance of customer-centricity in entrepreneurship, emphasizing a thorough understanding of the customer's problem for success in any professional environment. Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive exploration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the evolving landscape of healthcare technology.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Nicole Cathcart and Sean Karbowicz from MedSavvy. Nicole, drawing from over two decades of experience in design, marketing, and product development, narrates their journey from design to marketing and eventually becoming the Chief Marketing Officer for emerging tech and blockchain companies. Sean, a Pharmacist and self-described professional skeptic, shares their dedication to evidence-based medicine and the challenges of navigating vast healthcare information. This episode, part one of a two-part series, explores the genesis of MedSavvy and its transformative journey.The narrative unfolds with Sean recounting their pivotal encounter with a cancer patient who expressed the need for accessible healthcare information. This emotional moment became the catalyst for MedSavvy, a revolutionary platform aiming to empower patients with valuable insights. Nicole details the meticulous process of evaluating proposals during a leadership summit, highlighting Sean's unwavering dedication and the team's collaborative approach to cultivating selected ideas.The duo then sheds light on the challenges of navigating a large corporate environment with innovative ideas, emphasizing the importance of executive champions. Sean underscores the need for individuals with an exceptional "bullshit detector" to identify valuable concepts. Nicole draws parallels between internal corporate innovation and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the common thread of resistance and the importance of executive sponsorship.Nicole also provides a concise overview of MedSavvy as a medication choice management tool, uniquely incorporating scientific evidence, user reviews, and pricing. Sean details the core engine of MedSavvy, highlighting its evidence-based methodology and the tool's role in bringing clarity to healthcare decisions. The focus on democratizing healthcare information emerges as a central theme in their mission.The discussion pivots to the underutilized trust and expertise of Pharmacists in healthcare decision-making. MedSavvy, recognizing Pharmacists as trusted healthcare providers, offers a platform to leverage their expertise privately. Sean emphasizes the collaborative nature of innovation, highlighting the value of opening up ideas to colleagues and enhancing the patient experience through a team-driven approach.The narrative has expertly woven together the personal and professional journeys of Nicole and Sean, offering a glimpse into the world of innovative healthcare solutions and the transformative potential of collaborative, evidence-based decision-making.
In this episode of PAGCAST, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Platform Alliance Group, host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Platform Alliance Group, is joined by Damian Mead, General Manager of Loyalty and Reporting at The Platform Alliance Group. In this episode, from his unconventional journey in the film industry to his pivotal role in transforming loyalty data into a comprehensive platform, Damian shares his expertise on loyalty programs, the future of health-oriented services, and the evolving landscape of technology.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host, Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, engages in a dynamic conversation with Marta Stybowski, Pharmacist, Director & Founder of Fusion Health Space, and Director of Friendly Pharmacy (Vic). In this episode, Marta shares their extensive experience in Community Pharmacies, talks about their passion for redesigning Pharmacy spaces beyond conventional norms, emphasizes the holistic approach to design, and offers valuable insights into the complexities of optimizing physical environments for operational success. Join the discussion as they explore the unique challenges of Community Pharmacies, the importance of tailored design solutions, and effective communication strategies for project success.Marta's passion lies in redesigning Pharmacy spaces, moving beyond conventional floor plans. They emphasize a holistic approach to Pharmacy design, considering operations, people, and functional aspects. With over ten years of diverse experience in Community Pharmacies across different locations, Marta shares their journey, including pursuing an MBA and working as a Consulting Pharmacist. This journey eventually led to the founding of Fusion Health Space, focusing on workflow and operational consulting.Marta highlights the term "fusion" in their approach to Pharmacy design, emphasizing the blend of regulatory, building code, consumer expectations, and operational logistics. They discuss the unique challenges of Community Pharmacies and stress the need for a Tetris-like design puzzle to harmoniously blend these diverse elements. Marta advocates against a one-size-fits-all approach, underscoring the importance of understanding each Pharmacy's unique needs, from team dynamics to business objectives.Communication emerges as a crucial factor in successful Pharmacy design projects, according to Marta. They stress the need for clear communication from Pharmacy owners and leaders, conveying the vision, objectives, and reasons behind the changes. Effective communication helps build positivity, alleviates fears, and ensures every team member is informed and excited about the transformations.Marta delves into the intricacies of strategically placing the right people in designed spaces for optimal functionality. They provide an example of aligning design with actual utilization, emphasizing the need to consider skills and services required to meet community needs. Marta also explores the integration of processes and technology in Pharmacy systems, using prescription processing as an example. They highlight the importance of adapting processes to evolving technologies and assessing physical space to accommodate these changes.The episode concludes with Marta discussing the challenges of incorporating team input into Pharmacy design projects. They value insights from the broader team, emphasizing the importance of balancing input with efficient decision-making. Marta shares successful experiences of well-communicated processes, staff engagement, and collaboration with leaders in achieving project objectives.
Note: The content discussed in this episode includes references to experiences involving mental health challenges, including thoughts of suicide. Please be advised that the following conversation may be sensitive and triggering for some individuals. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a helpline for support. Remember, you are not alone, and help is available.In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host, Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, is joined by Ilwoo Park, Pharmacist Manager at Oatlands Pharmacy. Ilwoo is a dedicated Community Pharmacist renowned for her work in rural Pharmacy. Ilwoo not only owns a Pharmacy but also takes an active role in mentoring and guiding the next generation of Pharmacists, aiming to enhance the quality of their practice. She shares her journey from Korea to Australia, overcoming language barriers and academic challenges, ultimately establishing herself as a respected Pharmacist in Oatlands, Tasmania.Ilwoo's account emphasizes her resilience during her challenging seven-year intern experience, where she faced resistance and hostility from colleagues while striving to gain mastery of Pharmacy tasks. Despite contemplating leaving the field, her determination and the support of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) propelled her to eventually pass the exam and secure a position as a Pharmacist in Tasmania. Her emotional struggles and efforts to improve her English fluency through confrontational dialogues reflect her dedication to personal and professional growth.Throughout her career, Ilwoo emphasizes the importance of responsibility, advocating for a holistic approach to Pharmacy practice. She highlights the significance of proactive patient care, effective communication, and the necessity of taking personal accountability for one's actions and decisions. Her reflections shed light on the challenges faced within the Pharmacy environment and underscore the crucial role of Pharmacists and assistants in ensuring patient safety and promoting effective medication management.Ilwoo's dedication to bridging the gap between friendliness and assertiveness within the workplace stands as a testament to her commitment to mentorship and excellence in Pharmacy practice. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring Pharmacists, encouraging them to strive for continuous learning, professionalism, and a customer-centric approach in the field of Pharmacy.
In this episode of PAGCAST, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Platform Alliance Group, host Melody Mugari welcomes Kristina Fox, Community Pharmacist, and Pharmacy owner, Complete Care Pharmacy, Rosny Park. Listen to the episode to understand Kristina's journey in reshaping the Pharmacy landscape and her innovative approach to revolutionizing patient care and accessibility.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host, Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, is joined by Sherri Barden, Pharmacist and Asthma Educator at Moama Village Pharmacy. Listen to this episode to explore the transformative journey of implementing specialized fee-for-service asthma and hay fever clinics, uncovering the challenges and triumphs that shape the evolving landscape of patient-centered Pharmacy care. And also discover the power of empathy, community engagement, and strategic communication in fostering meaningful connections and driving impactful change within the Pharmacy sector.With over three decades in Community Pharmacy, Sherri has developed successful fee-for-service asthma and hay fever clinics and consults with other Pharmacies to implement similar programs. Growing up in a small farming community near Moama, New South Wales, Sherri's passion for improving patient understanding and adherence to medication led them to establish asthma and hay fever education clinics and provide consultancy services for respiratory medicine in other Pharmacies.Despite challenges, including patient reluctance and staff mindset shifts towards paid services, Sherri remains committed to proactive patient education and effective healthcare services, emphasizing the crucial role of communication and staff empowerment. They share insights into the strategic implementation of fee-for-service models, tailoring approaches to individual Pharmacy capacities and staff comfort levels. Sherri highlights the importance of community engagement and effective marketing strategies to promote clinic services, emphasizing the impact of patient relationships and community engagement on Pharmacy success.Additionally, Sherri provides valuable insights into creating and implementing effective hay fever and asthma clinics, stressing the significance of utilizing resources from organizations such as Asthma Australia and the National Asthma Council. They emphasize the importance of proper medication usage, technique, symptom monitoring, and the potential for cross-referrals to other Pharmacy services. Sherri also underlines the importance of transparency and patient consent in creating an ideal Pharmacy environment, as well as the powerful role of empathy in fostering Patient-Pharmacist relationships and cultivating a compassionate work environment.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Aryo Mehrabi, Pharmacist and Owner, Teeswater Pharmacy. Aryo's story, from growing up in Iran to retraining as a Pharmacist in Canada, highlights resilience, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of the American dream, or rather, the Canadian one.Aryo shares their experience growing up in Iran, where career choices were influenced by challenging university entrance exams. They chose Pharmacy due to its respected status in Iranian society. Upon arriving in Canada, Aryo faced challenges re-establishing their Pharmacy career, highlighting the rigorous preparation and exams required to become a Pharmacist in Canada.Aryo discusses their determination to become a Pharmacist in a new country while balancing family responsibilities and adapting to a different culture. They emphasize the scarcity of mentorship and support for immigrant Pharmacists, reflecting on their challenges, including finding clinical experience and the need for more accessible mentorship. Personal aspects that influence success in the Pharmacy profession are explored. Aryo acknowledges the impact of interpersonal skills and teamwork, reflecting on their journey and how personal dynamics can affect the profession.Aryo shares their unconventional path to success by opening a Pharmacy in a small town, overcoming skepticism, and thriving through community engagement and determination. They highlight factors such as convenience, community pride, and financial advantages contributing to their Pharmacy's success in a rural area.Aryo's story also includes experiences with opening multiple Pharmacies, lessons learned, and the impact of unexpected events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Their commitment to giving back and helping aspiring Pharmacists succeed is a central theme, inspiring immigrants looking to succeed in their new homeland.In summary, Aryo Mehrabi's journey from Iran to becoming a successful Pharmacist in Canada is a testament to determination, community engagement, and the importance of mentorship and support for immigrant Pharmacists. Aryo's advice for aspiring Pharmacy owners emphasizes the need to be realistic, embrace the local lifestyle, and differentiate themselves to succeed in small-town Pharmacy practice.
Note: The views and opinions expressed by Jessica Coppla in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance or views of CVS Health. The content discussed represents Jessica's personal experiences and insights garnered throughout their remarkable career journey within the healthcare industry. CVS Health is not responsible for the content discussed during this podcast episode.In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health is joined by Jessica Coppla, Director of Omnichannel Merchandising Center of Excellence, CVS Health. Listen to this episode to explore Jessica's incredible journey from a high school cashier at CVS to a healthcare leader and delve into the evolving landscape of healthcare, omnichannel strategies, and the future of the pharmacy industry. Discover how CVS Health adapts to meet the diverse needs of patients across generations in this insightful conversation.Jessica starts by talking about their inspiring career journey within CVS Health, starting as a high school cashier and evolving into various roles spanning Pharmacy product development, store operations, supply chain, logistics, merchandising, and e-commerce. They discuss the dynamic changes in healthcare and Pharmacy over the past 18 years, highlighting the shift towards comprehensive healthcare services in Pharmacies.Jessica then explores the concept of omnichannel in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of meeting customers' diverse needs and preferences. CVS Health's strategy involves offering convenience through various channels, whether in-store or online, to cater to individual customer preferences. They also address CVS Health's differentiation strategy in the face of competition, leveraging both physical and online presence to provide accessible healthcare.The evolving preferences of different generations in healthcare, the significance of omnichannel retailing in the digital age, and the expanding role of Pharmacies in providing healthcare services during the pandemic are discussed. Jessica also delves into the challenges of maintaining customer loyalty among younger generations and shares insights into CVS Health's preparedness and lessons learned during the early days of the pandemic.Lastly, Jessica emphasizes key principles for organizations of all sizes, including agility, effective communication, boots-on-the-ground leadership, and the importance of meaningful KPIs and analytics. They stress the need for simplicity in using metrics and highlight the significance of innovation at the store level, driven by necessity and real-world testing.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC welcomes John Shanks, the Lead Pharmacist for Antimicrobial Stewardship at the Far West Local Health District and the Director of Kraken Coding. Listen in to understand John’s journey from Pharmacy to tech and how they create groundbreaking solutions for clinical decision support.John's journey in Pharmacy began in Lithgow, with their education at Newcastle Uni, where they pursued a master's degree in Pharmacy. They ultimately chose to focus on Hospital Pharmacy, starting with an internship at Coffs Harbor Base Hospital and eventually settling in Darwin.John's passion for leveraging technology in healthcare led to their involvement in IT and developing innovative tools for identifying critical patient issues. They even pursued an IT master's degree to further their skills. John's project to create structured pathways for pharmacist prescribing garnered attention. In the episode, they also discuss their vision for improving decision support in healthcare. John’s innovative platform simplifies the creation and sharing of clinical decision support pathways, emphasizing collaboration and customization. John also explores their latest project involving the development of a chatbot for pre-triaging patients, making healthcare interactions more accessible and user-friendly. John's platform offers comprehensive solutions for managing patient interactions, ensuring accountability, and fostering better decision-making in the clinical community. They express their contentment with their project's progress and invite collaborators who share their passion for improving healthcare decision support in Australia.In summary, John Shanks is a trailblazer in healthcare decision support, merging their Pharmacy background with innovative technology solutions to enhance patient care and streamline clinical processes.
In this episode of PAGCAST, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Platform Alliance Group, host Melody Mugari welcomes Veronica Nou, Pharmacist Proprietor at Colyton Centre Pharmacy and Morris Care & Advice Pharmacy. Listen to the episode to catch up on Veronica’s inspiring journey and understand how she has been transforming Community Pharmacy through compassion, advocacy, and holistic care.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC, interviews Carolyn Rimmer, National Training Specialist at Sigma Healthcare. Listen to this episode to discover the secrets to thriving in the evolving world of pharmacy and the critical role of training, even amidst unprecedented challenges.Carolyn is a seasoned Pharmacy professional with a rich history in the field. Carolyn's journey began in Community Pharmacy, where they honed their skills over two decades with a well-regarded pharmacy family in Brisbane, Queensland. After starting a family of their own, Carolyn decided to transition from retail Pharmacy into training within the Pharmacy industry. Their love for training and mentoring Pharmacy assistants drove their career shift, leading them to obtain a diploma and eventually join the Queensland Pharmacy Guild. There, they gained valuable insights into compliance and opportunities within the Pharmacy world.Carolyn emphasizes the critical role of training in the Pharmacy industry, particularly in the context of the challenges brought on by COVID-19. They highlight how the pandemic disrupted traditional companion selling, which involves providing customers not only with the products they need but also valuable lifestyle tips. Due to the constraints of the pandemic, Pharmacies had limited interaction time with customers, resulting in a gap in the training of new Pharmacy professionals. Carolyn suggests that as the industry evolves, focusing on companion selling and upselling will be crucial for Pharmacies to maintain profitability and customer loyalty, especially with changes on the horizon.Carolyn also discusses the impact of 60-day dispensing on patients and Community Pharmacies. They highlight that while patients on regular medications may benefit from the convenience of less frequent visits, there's a concern that some patients may misinterpret the option and skip Pharmacy visits entirely. Carolyn emphasizes the vital role of Community Pharmacies as a social link within the community and the importance of maintaining strong connections with patients. They also acknowledge that COVID-19 underscored the essential nature of Pharmacies in the community and the loyalty that patients have towards them, calling for Pharmacies to harness and build upon that loyalty.Carolyn concludes by stressing the importance of continuous upskilling in the Pharmacy industry, highlighting that trained and upskilled staff lead to solid business, increased profit, customer loyalty, and staff retention. Their insights provide valuable guidance for aspiring Pharmacy professionals and established industry experts, emphasizing the significance of training and adaptability in today's evolving healthcare landscape.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, is joined by Tom Myers, Pharmacy Manager at Walgreens. Listen in as Tom talks about their journey, innovations in Pharmacy, and the challenges of balancing clinical care with business demands. Tom's journey into Pharmacy began in high school when they gained hands-on experience in Hospital Pharmacy practice in Salem, Oregon, sparking their passion for chemistry and Pharmacy. After completing an undergraduate degree in microbiology with a chemistry minor at Oregon State University, Tom entered the Pharmacy program.Having risen from intern to staff Pharmacist, Tom eventually stepped into the role of Pharmacy Manager, particularly during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom discusses the advantages of their managerial role, emphasizing the opportunity to shape projects according to their vision and streamline operations.Tom shares further insights into the innovative technological advancements implemented by Walgreens to enhance patient convenience and streamline Pharmacy operations. They highlight features of the Walgreens app, such as digital text reminders and insurance card updates, reducing wait times and phone calls. Tom also mentions the introduction of 90-day medication supplies and the adoption of micro-fulfillment technology.Tom explores the challenges and opportunities related to reimbursement for clinical knowledge and services in Pharmacy, emphasizing the need for reimbursement even for negative test results. They also discuss Walgreens' national engagement program and express a desire to see more community clinics in the future, recognizing staffing challenges as a key consideration for such projects. Lastly, Tom Myers emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to discover new income methods in the evolving landscape of Pharmacy, acknowledging the challenge of finding alternative revenue streams while balancing clinical care with business obligations. They also stress the importance of qualities such as attention to detail, a clear vision, courage in decision-making, and staying true to one's ethics in the Pharmacy profession.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training stream, host Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist and Founder at Locumate is joined by Vinit Kewal, Director of The Infinity Group. Listen to the episode as the two explore Vinit’s remarkable Pharmacy journey, share industry insights, and delve into the evolving landscape of Pharmacy. Vinit begins the conversation by reminiscing about their remarkable journey. Originally from Fiji, Vinit's path led them to the University of Queensland, where they pursued a Pharmacy degree. Their focus on Community Pharmacy, particularly in regional Australia, has been a driving force throughout their career. Notably, Vinit became a Pharmacy owner in regional New South Wales and has found great joy and strength in their family, spouse, and two kids who offer unwavering support. Vinit's evolution from a Pharmacist in a single store to a leader within a vast organization has sparked their interest in leadership and the training Pharmacists receive. Vinit also opens up about the significant hurdles and challenges they've faced in their journey. They explore internal and external obstacles, delving into their initial self-doubts and fears of branching out into new ventures. Vinit emphasizes that internal hurdles, like self-belief and courage, can be the most daunting, yet overcoming them can make anything seem achievable. They also discuss the importance of promoting women's entry into leadership positions in Pharmacy, acknowledging the unique challenges they may face. Vinit reflects on the resilient nature of the Pharmacy industry and its ability to thrive despite ever-changing landscapes. When asked about changing perceptions on Pharmacy ownership amongst the youth, Vinit emphasizes that despite the challenges, ownership remains a key part of career progression. Vinit specifically highlights their involvement with The Infinity Group and how they encourage partnership as a natural step forward for Pharmacists. They acknowledge the changing ownership landscape with higher barriers to entry but also stress that opportunities for young Pharmacists to achieve ownership have never been more feasible. Vinit reflects on their 15-year journey with The Infinity Group, highlighting its remarkable growth in terms of both store numbers and the people that constitute the organization. The Infinity Group's adaptability and agility are key strengths facilitating its growth, albeit presenting challenges and opportunities. Vinit also talks about the ever-present lesson of humility that the industry imparts, driven by the consistent change it faces. Vinit touches upon the ongoing shifts within the industry, including the introduction of 60-day dispensing and the need for Pharmacists to adapt to new challenges. They emphasize the Pharmacy profession's transformative journey, from a focus on dispensing to an exciting era of expanded scope of practice. Vinit explores the importance of the human element in healthcare, noting that while automation advances, the personal connection and expertise Pharmacists provide remain irreplaceable. Vinit discusses various aspects of mental health, work-life balance, and professional growth within the Pharmacy industry. They emphasize the significance of openly addressing mental health concerns, destigmatizing the topic, and creating a supportive environment. Vinit touches on the challenge of striking a work-life balance, particularly in an industry where accessibility and healthcare provision are crucial. They also highlight the need to reevaluate Pharmacist pay, advocating for a minimum baseline that values all Pharmacists' contributions. Vinit envisions the future of the Pharmacy industry, emphasizing the role of automation and technology in shaping interactions between Pharmacists and patients.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, first-time host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audrie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health is joined by Dr. Alex Barker, Pharmacist, Founder at The Happy PharmD and Co-Founder of The Task Fox. Dr. Alex is also the author of “Indispensable: The prescription for a fulfilling pharmacy career.” Listen to this episode to discover the transformative journey through the world of Pharmacy, from burnout to brilliance, as Dr. Alex shares insights on fostering innovation, finding advocates, and aligning your work with your true strengths. Also, learn how to navigate the challenges and opportunities within Pharmacy to craft a fulfilling and joyful career.
Dr. Alex opens up about their early career experiences, revealing their initial adherence to the conventional wisdom of pursuing residency for a thriving Pharmacy career. However, they soon found themselves grappling with burnout and frustration in a clinical Pharmacy role, prompting a reevaluation of their path. This pivotal moment led Dr. Alex to establish a business dedicated to coaching and empowering fellow Pharmacists to rediscover fulfillment within the profession. The episode sheds light on the diverse career trajectories Pharmacists can undertake, with Dr. Alex's coaching guiding individuals toward roles as diverse as real estate agents, financial advisors, and comedians.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Alex’s experiences serve as an inspirational narrative for Pharmacists seeking purpose and growth within their careers. The discussion embodies the essence of transformation and resilience, proving that with the proper guidance and perspective, individuals can carve out their meaningful journey within the realm of Pharmacy.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC, engages in a lively conversation with guest Michael Alexander, who is set to become the podcast's future host. Michael is a Pharmacist, an entrepreneur, a digital health enthusiast, and, next episode on, a podcaster. He is the Co-Founder of Audrie, an AI-based service that helps people improve their communications skills, and the Regional Vice-President, Health Plans at Omada Health.
In this episode, Scott Carpenter explores their diverse 40-year career journey, transitioning from a furniture maker to roles across management, consumer goods, and marketing. Despite lacking Pharmacy experience, they entered the field as a retailer, utilizing their leadership skills to contribute to the growth of the National Pharmacies Group. They emphasize the collaborative nature of the Pharmacy industry and discuss their dynamic personality, from introversion to extroversion, highlighting the importance of embracing one's unique traits and seizing opportunities. The concept of adaptability within the Pharmacy industry is also explored, emphasizing the ongoing changes and challenges, with a focus on supporting those who may struggle during transitions.
Scott delves into successful Pharmacy strategies, emphasizing specialization and adaptability, suggesting that thriving Pharmacies excel in a specific area rather than trying to cater to everyone. They stress the significance of maintaining motivation and engagement while cautioning against spreading resources too thin.
Michael reflects on the evolving Pharmacy landscape. They highlight differences between Pharmacy industries in Australia and the US, focusing on government remuneration versus health insurers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Michael envisions a technologically advanced future of Pharmacy in 2038, including AI-driven diagnoses, 3D-printed medications, and drone-delivered prescriptions, underscoring the importance of data utilization and patient-centered innovation.
In this episode of PAGCAST, a stream of Pharmacy View Podcast that provides regular interviews with Pharmacy leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of The Platform Alliance Group, host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Platform Alliance Group is joined by Fellicia Hambali, Head of Chemist Discount Centre, The Platform Alliance Group. Fellicia shares her inspiring journey of becoming a Pharmacist, her innovative approach to Pharmacy business, and her passion for data-driven decision-making. Join us as we delve into the world of Pharmacy and learn from Fellicia's experiences and expertise.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training stream, host Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist and Founder at Locumate is joined by Kevin Walker, President and Co-Owner of RPhAlly. Join us as Kevin discusses their diverse career in healthcare, the establishment of RPhAlly, and the importance of finding focus and passion in the pharmacy profession.
Kevin talks about their humble approach to life and attributes it to their faith and family values. They reflect on their Native American background and the strong influence of inspirational female leaders within their community. Kevin highlights the profound impact of their grandparents, particularly their grandmother's resilience in overcoming hardships as a first-generation immigrant in the United States. Growing up on a cattle ranch also shaped their perspective on labor, responsibility, and animal husbandry. Ultimately, their faith has provided them with a profound sense of gratitude and an appreciation for the blessings in their life.
Kevin discusses the challenges of managing their various roles and responsibilities when asked about wearing many hats and how they balance it all. They prioritize their roles as a husband and father, striving to be present in those spaces as much as possible. As a passionate professional in the Pharmacy field, they seamlessly interweave their work with projects such as the ACP components, Native American healers’ cohort, and collaboration with a digital health company, all contributing to the future of healthcare and Pharmacy. Kevin acknowledges the importance of effective time management, which remains a work in progress for them.
Kevin emphasizes the importance of two key skill sets for success: delegation and monetization. They discuss the significance of delegating tasks to others with complementary skill sets, fostering collaboration and efficiency. Kevin also reflects on the value of monetizing services to create sustainable growth and provide even greater value to others. They acknowledge the challenge of balancing personal values while recognizing the need for monetization to scale their impact effectively.
Kevin discusses the establishment of RPhAlly, a community that addresses major issues facing the pharmacy profession, including burnout, suicide rates, and the need for education and specialization. RPhAlly focuses on empowering pharmacists to play a significant role in patient care, collaborating with other healthcare professionals to improve outcomes. The long-term vision of RPhAlly is to ensure pharmacists are recognized as leaders in healthcare, making critical decisions to advance patient care and drive positive change in the profession.
Ep 76 - Finding Balance: Navigating Burnout in Pharmacy Practice by Pharmacy View Podcast
Putting the Community Back into Community Pharmacy In the first episode of PAGCAST, host Melody Mugari, a Pharmacist and Programs and Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Platform Alliance Group is joined by Michael Flannery, Pharmacist, CEO of Life Pharmacy Group, and Executive Director of The Platform Alliance Group. In this inaugural episode, Melody and Michael dive into an insightful discussion about the future of Pharmacy, the challenges faced by Pharmacy leaders, and the role of The Platform Alliance Group in helping the industry prosper. Michael is a man who wears many hats. When asked how he manages it all, he describes himself as a flexible person and as someone who can handle multiple tasks efficiently. He believes passion is crucial, as it helps him prioritize and make time for the things he loves, bringing him a sense of satisfaction and balancing various aspects of life. While occasionally reflecting on possibly needing more downtime, he finds joy in his dynamic and fulfilling lifestyle. Michael then discusses his upbringing in Forbes, a town where his father worked as a Pharmacist. Growing up in a community where his father was the local Pharmacist provided him with insights into the role of a Pharmacist beyond dispensing medications. He was inspired by his father's giving nature and the importance of patient-centered care. This helped shape his understanding of Community Pharmacy. While initially uncertain about his career path, he eventually found his passion in Community Pharmacy. He embraced the management challenges it presented, leading him to focus his career in that field. Michael emphasizes the importance of Community Pharmacists as individuals who can establish meaningful connections with patients. He highlights the value of conversations and listening to understand patients' needs beyond their immediate medication concerns. Michael believes that Community Pharmacists have a crucial role in addressing the diverse socio-economic needs of their patient community, offering holistic care and intangible benefits beyond prescriptions and products. He also expresses concern that government policies (like 60-day dispense) may overlook these aspects of care. He says there is a need to recognize the vital role of the entire Pharmacy team in promoting patient well-being. Michael describes the initial shock and panic felt by Pharmacy owners in response to the government's announcement. He highlights the importance of staying calm and analyzing the details of the policy before taking action. Michael underlines the role of the Platform Alliance Group team in providing support, offering financial planning strategies, and organizing webinars to help Pharmacy owners navigate the challenges brought about by the government's changes. He also expresses concerns about the potential negative impact on patient well-being and stresses the significance of Community Pharmacists in providing holistic care and access to health services. Michael expresses hope and excitement about the future of Pharmacy. He emphasizes the importance of professional environments, clinic rooms, and expanded scope of practice for Pharmacists. He also mentions the need for collaboration and teamwork within the Community Pharmacies to overcome challenges and explore opportunities. Summing it all down, Michael reminisces about his experiences building and expanding his Pharmacy business over the years. He purchased his first store in 1990 and faced challenges and unexpected events. With the support of mentors, dedicated staff, and a focus on community engagement, Michael successfully merged and expanded stores, implemented new initiatives, and fostered a culture of care and innovation within the pharmacies in the Life Pharmacy Group.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training stream, host Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist and Founder at Locumate, talks to her mentor, Michael Gray, Manager of Prime Pharmacy Group. In addition to being an experienced director and manager with a demonstrated history of working in the retail Pharmacy industry, Michael also holds a law degree. Listen to the episode as Michael talks about the changing trends in the Australian Pharmaceutical Industry, independent contractors and their superannuation, the shift in pharmacy ownership, and their drive to help budding entrepreneurs. Having learned the value of a strong work ethic from their parents at an early age, Michael started work at 15—sold photographic equipment, had a short career as a photographer at a local newspaper, traveled overseas, went to Pharmacy College at 25, interned at a children’s hospital, answered an ad for a job—the rest as they say, is history. The job ad led Michael to their current business partners, with whom they founded Advantage Pharmacy, which is now a part of the Platform Alliance Group. When asked about their support network, Michael talks about their mother, family, and existing business partners, Steve and John. A strong support network at home and work has been pivotal for their growth. Furthering the conversation, Kavita and Michael delve into the shifts in the Pharmacy Industry. Michael talks about the following:i.Rise of the Discountersii.The decline in wanting to take Pharmacy Ownership because of perceived barriersiii.Push for more flexible hours for Pharmacistsiv.Shift from supply-based model to professional servicesv.More Pharmacies are joining groups to get better support in running their businessvi.Rise of the digital ageEven though Michael doesn’t practice law, they hold a law degree and are interested in labor law. In that context, they reference the following during the conversation:i.Hollis Vs Vabuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollis_v_Vabu ii.CFMMEU v Personnel Contracting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFMMEU_v_Personnel_Contractingiii.Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 - SECT 12 http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/sga1992430/s12.html Michael iterates the two cases to say that contracts are important and that a clear contract with independent contractors can save Pharmacy owners from running risks. There is a pull towards flexible working hours, and while this can hold its advantages, both parties need to be clear as to the terms of the engagement. In addition to the aforementioned, Michael outlines the challenges in the industry as being:i.Labor shortagesii.Slow upskilling of Pharmacists to provide extra services Talking further on how fewer students are drawn to Pharmacy Ownership recently, Michael reminisces how earlier that used to be what 90% of Pharmacy students would aspire for. They say that the perceived barriers stop the students from wanting to take up ownership. However, as someone who has spent decades for the betterment of the industry and has learned from experiences, Michael believes that they (more experienced Pharmacists) owe it to the students to help and facilitate their roles in the industry. And here is a list of Michael’s advice for budding entrepreneurs:1.Find a problem that needs a solution2.Say yes and back yourself3.Surround yourself with people who are more intelligent than you and who complement your skills4.Great Ideas are just that until you execute them
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training stream, host Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist and Founder at Locumate, is joined by Kay Dunkley, Executive Officer (Part-time), Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) and Doctor Wellbeing Consultant (Part-time), AMA Victoria. Kay, also an accredited Pharmacist, received the PSA Symbion Pharmacist of the Year 2020 and PSA Victorian Pharmacist Excellence Award 2019 and is passionate about the health and well-being of healthcare professionals. Listen to this podcast episode as Kavita and Kay take you through Kay’s fantastic career in the industry, the changes that have come about in the years since their early days, and how they keep their passion alive while keeping up with demanding work.It was the final year of college, and Kay wasn’t sure of the career they wanted to pursue. A career in Pharmacy was their last-minute choice, they say. And aren’t we all glad that the choice was made? In Pharmacy, they saw a perfect blend of science and health, and after having worked with inspiring people through their initial days in Hospital Pharmacy, Kay came to realize the immense love they had for the profession. Kay loved being a part of the healthcare team and enjoyed interacting with patients, doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals. Over the decades, Kay moved up the ladder in the industry and worked with various hospitals and healthcare professionals. Now, Kay works with the Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) and AMA Victoria.When asked what prompted them to work in the mental health and well-being space for health professionals, Kay says the impetus comes through their own experiences and exposure in the industry. They emphasize that there is a real need for support for health professionals. Pharmacy is a busy space where professionals are often required to do multiple things simultaneously while ensuring everything is done right. Many professionals, especially those new to the profession, struggle to keep up with the demands and undergo immense distress. As someone who has experienced this themselves and has seen/heard stories of other professionals, Kay is passionate about ensuring their well-being by giving them the skills to manage and get through difficult situations. Furthering, Kay adds that owners can help their staff members by building healthy relationships and communicating with them—by making them feel that they are being listened to and cared for. Being able to look after the staff makes them feel valued, and when people feel valued, it makes a massive difference in how people feel about coming to work. And Kay believes that addressing systemic workplace issues is essential.Kay also underlines how it is vital for everyone to check in with themselves and know how they are feeling. Everyone must acknowledge that we are all humans and have emotions. To quote Kay, “We are human. We need to recognize and show our emotions and be willing to address those emotions, acknowledge that we're feeling sad or angry or grieving. It's really important to be tuned into ourselves. And, some evidence shows that emotional intelligence reduces the likelihood of burnout.” What happens in our personal life affects our work, and if we want to do better work, we need to address the underlying issues that cause us discomfort.Talking about their work with PSS, Kay doesn’t shy away from crediting volunteers for all their fantastic work nationwide. The focus of the service is that PSS provides support, empowerment & information provision rather than advice. In supporting pharmacists, PSS aims to benefit the public by ensuring that Pharmacists maintain their health and well-being to provide an appropriate level of service to the Australian community.
Ep 70 There's No Middle Ground when Facing Challenges in Pharmacy by Pharmacy View Podcast
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training, host, Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist, and Founder at Locumate, is joined by Max Mito, the Co-Founder / CEO at StrongRoom AI and Dr Craig Nossel, Chief Executive Officer, Carenomix & Co-founder, Evia Health. Listen in as the conversation takes us through how both Max and Craig met to how, along with their team, they have changed the game with innovative tech and medication management to a future that holds much more promise. Max talks about being with StrongRoom AI their whole professional life, having co-founded it with Christopher Durre. Craig, on the other hand, started with a dream to specialize in paediatrics to ending up as the head of Vitality Wellness, an incentive-based global wellness company. Craig who strongly believes that no meeting should be turned down met Max and the rest, as they say, is history. When asked about what has made StrongRoom AI successful, Max attributes it to:1.Having started young and having had the patience to work through the problems2.Working with different mentors3.Being supported by the wider community4.Finding and working with the right peopleAnswering the same question, Craig credits the success to 1.People2.Purpose3.ProcessTalking about how StrongRoom AI works to support Pharmacists to strengthen the Health Care System, both Max and Craig emphasise the need for data literacy among the Pharmacists so that people are active and not reactive participants in the change process. Their tool is designed to provide additional data in an easy to understand way so that it then aids the understanding of trends. In simple term, their tool analyses all the data within any Pharmacy; it is a dynamic solution so that Pharmacists understand what they have and where the opportunities lie. The tool is also customer centric as it makes more services readily available to the community and helps access the otherwise underserved client base.Furthering how users can access it, Max explains the pretty straight-forward system:1.An existing StrongRoom customer can simply activate the module then and there. They will also get a trainer.2.If you are not using StrongRoom AI already, a desktop version of the module can be installed in your Pharmacy. Additionally, there is a cloud version that can be accessed.3.If you have branch offices, there’s a head office view that allows you to consolidate all data and set some benchmarks across your branch offices.Essentially the module draws data from all relevant sources and helps identify what areas need more focus and why, among endless other uses. So long as the users are open to learning and improving, they would be empowered and proactive in dealing with problems much more efficiently than done currently.Craig says how it is an exciting time for the Pharmaceutical industry and they are thrilled to be playing in the space. They believe that technology providers and companies can play a critical role in bringing about a lot of positive change so long as they understand their clients’ needs. They emphasize the need for data literacy and customer engagement as being key to making the needed impact.When asked about their advice for new entrants to the industry, Max says1.Be tenacious and disciplined 2.Be creative and open-minded3.Always stay humbleAnswering the same question, Craig adds:1.Age should not be a barrier, on either extreme2.Be passionate about whatever you do3.Surround yourself with the right people4.Do your homework; there is no short-cut to success
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training, host, Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist, and Founder at Locumate, is joined by Kevin Ou, Manager of Training Delivery, and Assessment at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA). Kevin is a practicing Pharmacist with a diverse background in clinical education, policy development, and program implementation, and in this episode, they talk about their journey in the industry, the learnings along the way, and what young and upcoming Pharmacists need so that they can better the profession as a whole. In their own words, Kevin is a proud practicing Pharmacist and what excites them about the industry is being able to bring science and evidence into education and training products to be able to upskill the industry as a whole. Kevin is also a mental health advocate and brings mental health-related training to the Pharmaceutical industry. Talking about their early days, Kevin shares how they started out thinking they would become a Hospital Pharmacist only to meet some really amazing people and fall in love with Community Pharmacy along the way. Kevin finds being able to impact people’s health in the community as being rewarding. Then Kevin went on to work at PSA. At PAS, combining their frontline experience as a Pharmacist with their deep understanding of the wider healthcare system, Kevin is able to design, develop and deliver training and assessment strategies. When asked about what their top pieces of advice would be for anyone wearing multiple hats at work as they do, Kevin shares the following:1.Be open-mindedBeing a Pharmacist is an evolving profession. There are so many opportunities out there and one needs to be open-minded to explore those.2.Bite off more than you can chew, and then chew like madKevin borrows this advice from PSA’s National President, Dr. Fei Sim. Positive affirmations and visualizing success can be helpful in leveraging opportunities and resources.3.Find a mentorKevin believes that mentors can be both official and unofficial and we can all benefit from having mentors in our careers. Mentors can help you master your craft, provide feedback and give you a new perspective, advocate for your cause, and be willing to collaborate with you, among many other things. And when asked about what they have learned along their journey, Kevin was quick to share the following:1.Trust yourself2.Celebrate your winsAnd here’s what Kevin has for those looking to become Pharmacists after their year of internship:1.Be kind to yourself2.Give yourself time to settle into your new environment3.Get to know your colleagues4.Develop and follow a training plan5.Build a good support network6.Don’t be afraid to ask for help7.Seek feedback8.Invest in a comfy pair of shoes (quite literally!)Drawing back to PSA, Kevin highlights how PSA exists for all Pharmacists, regardless of where they practice and what their roles are. PSA can help Pharmacists stay up to date with industry knowledge, what’s happening in the profession, and what opportunities are available. Adding to that, PSA also helps Pharmacists network with like-minded Pharmacists. Kevin says how these are exciting times to be a Pharmacist. Kevin elaborates how COVID has really helped bring attention to the positive impact that Pharmacists can make on healthcare. There are opportunities and in the coming days, Pharmacists will have much bigger roles to play in patients’ healthcare teams across a variety of settings: community, hospital, general practice, aged care, and aboriginal community-controlled health services. Kevin wants to keep the momentum going and sees their role flourishing in their new environment. They want to diversify their experiences and have the courage to keep trying new things in the days to come. In a time when change is the only constant, Kevin wants to continue being comfortable with change.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC talks to Jenny Kirschner, Founder of Pharmacy Addressing Loneliness and Social-isolation (PALS) and National Health Services Pharmacist with a major Australian Pharmacy Group. With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and pharmacy sector, Jenny brings much-needed insight into the overarching problem that loneliness has become, especially in the post Pandemic world, and talks about PALS, the first international network of individuals and organizations across the pharmacy industry that are passionate about addressing loneliness and social isolation to further improve the health outcomes of their patients and the wider community.Jenny has had a colorful career in Pharmacy, having started off in Retail Pharmacy and then moving on to working in Hospital Pharmacy and as a Clinical Pharmacist. Jenny has also worked as a health coach for lifestyle modification programs and is also a National Health Services Pharmacist delivering impactful and innovative health programs. All of this, in addition to being the founder of PALS. Jenny strongly believes that as Pharmacists, there is a need to develop skills to engage with people in a way that they are understood and helped, and motivated to change. If working across various roles in Pharmaceutical Industry wasn’t enough, Jenny also ventured into selling raw organic chocolates and organizing day dance parties for mothers. Jenny says that bringing people together in various ways has helped emphasize the importance of how social connections can help improve people’s health and well-being. Having researched the topic of loneliness for over a decade with an interest that really stemmed from Jenny’s personal experience, and then having lived through the Covid pandemic, they realized that there wasn’t enough understanding of what impact loneliness could have on the well-being of individuals and communities. What they realized was that Pharmacies, be it Hospital Pharmacies or Community Pharmacies, are critical access points to patients and it is Pharmacists’ professional responsibility to start to upskill themselves and learn about the signs of loneliness so they can start to recognize it in our patients and respond. So, Jenny formed PALS to:1.Make the whole Pharmacy Industry understand what loneliness is 2.Ensure that Pharmacists understand that this is their responsibility as part of being a lifestyle PharmacistBacked by research, Jenny says how loneliness can increase the risk of premature deaths by 26% and how a third of Australians report suffering from loneliness. In fact, Vivek Murthy compares loneliness to the Opioid Epidemic and the Obesity Crisis in the US. Jenny says that we aren’t talking about loneliness enough and that is exactly the problem PALS looks forward to solving. Further, Jenny adds how loneliness doesn’t just affect the elderly and that there is a loneliness to be experienced even in the workplace. Jenny hopes that PALS can serve as an educational tool in the first instance to make people look at the evidence and research to understand what loneliness is and start to embed screening tools and get referral pathways to different initiatives. When talking about technology, Jenny highlights the evolving nature of technology and how with that will change the ways in which people connect with one another.Note: Loneliness is a crisis and if you want to understand what it is, how it will impact your well-being, or simply want to help someone who is lonely, connect with Jenny. (The links are provided at the end of the show notes)
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC talks to John Thornett, Owner, Peak Strategies (WA) Pty Ltd, a Chartered Accountant, and a Pharmacy Expert. Listen to the episode to learn about how the qualified and professional team at Peak Strategies has been helping Pharmacy owners across Australia. Having started off as a Chartered Accountant, John recounts the story of how Peak Strategies came into being and how its entire client base now consists of Community Pharmacies. When describing over 25 years of work with Community Pharmacies, John says, “When you love what you do, it fills your soul with so much joy.” Furthering why they enjoy working in the industry, they quote these reasons:•First on the list for John are the people in the industry who are wonderful and have so much to offer•Second reason is being able to specialize and have a niche. John understands what the pain points are for Pharmacy Owners because of having put in so much time to understand the industry and business as a whole. John adds that with the level of knowledge, they can provide more value to the clients and have increased abilities to help people. Pharmacy is a unique beast and having the level of knowledge that John and his team have is reassuring from the client’s perspective. John then compares Community Pharmacies during and post Covid. When Covid hit, Community Pharmacy’s reputation really grew as they were open and accessible all the time. In Western Australia, the closing of borders meant more and more people went to their Community Pharmacies. While good money was made, it was exhausting. John then raises some pertinent concerns about Pharmacies in 2023:•While 2021/2022 was good for Pharmacy business across the board, things have changed in 2023 as we live in a different world now. •Family purses have been tightened because of inflation and higher interest rates. What does it mean for Pharmacies moving forward?•What will happen to the market for buying a Pharmacy? It won’t be the same as it was in 2022.•Pharmacy owners are exhausted and you can’t find a Pharmacist for the love of money.•What revenue opportunities were missed in the lack of resources?•Changes in margins owing to wages, stock-piling, and lease renewals.Pointing out the aforementioned challenges and opportunities in the industry, John then goes on to talk about how busy Peak Strategies has been with the following:•A lot of work in the Validation space•Work with owners in the marketing space•Pharmacy Mastermind Program to help owners have a profitable and sustainable business•A lot of work in the Partner space for first-time owners looking to be Junior Partners•Podcasts •Content-driven websiteTo John, everything comes down to helping people. And they believe that technology can aid the process through the automation of repetitive tasks. This needs to be done so that people can focus on what people are good at—human interaction.
When You Grow People, You Grow BusinessIn this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training, host, Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist, and Founder at Locumate, is joined by Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership. The two talk about the importance of being self-aware to help oneself and others in the community, the need to develop high-performance culture, and how emotional intelligence and authenticity will be at the core of Pharmacies of the future. Chantelle, as both a Pharmacist and a Pharmacist Leadership Coach, wants to help people grow their leadership skills to become more confident, positive, and resilient for themselves and for others in the community. Chantelle reminisces that there were two important factors that encouraged them to pursue coaching for Pharmacists:•One, Chantelle started in the Pharmacy at a young age and for people to take them seriously they needed to gain trust from their team and also the community. Chantelle found that leadership skills and being able to communicate effectively was at the core of that. •Secondly, when Chantelle got a Pharmacy Manager’s job they realized that even though the store was doing fairly well, there was a level of disengagement in the team members. Chantelle’s leadership coaching was meant to help do away with that sense of disengagement.Overall, what Chantelle came to understand pretty early on was that the problem did not lie with the technical skills in the Pharmacies but in the life skills of the people who were running the Pharmacies. It had more to do lack of trust, confidence, self-worth, and the intrinsic belief that they could do something more than what they were already doing. Chantelle then realized that by helping Pharmacists they were able to create a ripple effect as those Pharmacists would then show up and communicate with others and teach them how they could positively influence themselves and the people around them. Those coaching, Chantelle has been able to help people get out of their own way and tap into what they already know to make the difference in themselves, their workplaces and their communities. Chantelle leans in heavily on the importance of being emotionally intelligent and self-aware as a Pharmacist. Being self-aware helps with taking control of how one wants to show up in the society as opposed to being on the backfoot and only ever reacting to whatever is in front. Talking about the values that guide Turn Pharmacy Leadership, Chantelle emphasizes how the business is an extension of who they are as a person. And so, the values are:•Mastery•GrowthAnd they explain how TURN is an acronym for TRUST, UPSKILL, REIGNITE, NURTURE—all of which underpin their virtues. Chantelle adds how it is about both technical as well as life skills because when you grow people, you grow business. Moving on to learnings, Chantelle emphasizes the following as being the forerunners:•Trust the process (you are where you need to be)•Focus on internal wins and external wins will followChantelle furthers the role that mentors and coaches play in lives of people. These people are needed to help us step out of our comfort zones and look at things from a different viewpoint. They even call a coach a mirror—a neutral surface that not only reflects and highlights the parts that we are not seeing but also those that we are choosing to ignore. As they rightfully say, coaching is not about massive epiphanies but instead about making small changes. When asked about the Pharmacist of the future, Chantelle highlights that they need to have the following skills:•Emotional intelligence•AuthenticityChantelle’s lifelong mission remains to connect with anyone and everyone in the Pharmaceutical Industry and help them become emotionally intelligent, confident, positive, and resilient by imparting them the needed knowledge and tools.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC is joined by Sarah Rendell, Head of Marketing and Communications, Peak Strategies (WA) Pty Ltd. Listen in as the two of them talk about the need for marketing in the Pharmaceutical Industry and how teams need to be leveraged to deliver results. Sarah, in their own words, is a lover of all things social media. Having planned their own wedding solely based on Instagram research, Sarah is a strong advocate when it comes to leveraging the access and benefits of the same. Sarah joined Peak Strategies six years ago and was initially brought into the team for internal marketing. But soon the role evolved into providing consulting to the company’s clients and helping Pharmacists have a meaningful business that they are passionate about through the use of various forms of digital media and traditional marketing as a part of the overall business strategy. Adding further to what Peak Strategies does, Sarah shares how they started by providing the whole accounting suite for Pharmacies and this has now evolved to include a great deal of consulting—from marketing consulting to business and finance consulting. Sarah believes that a good marketing strategy has an all-encompassing plan as it combines traditional forms of marketing with digital marketing. Their advice is: •Have 3rd party specialized consultants help and guide you in your marketing, just as you are a Pharmacist who specializes in patient healthcare. •But as a Pharmacy owner oversee what is going on as you know the most about the customers and patients that are entering your Pharmacy•Ensure that all of your marketing strategies are impactful and very similar to what you are already doing at the store level because that impacts the customer experience.When Sarah and the team at Peak Strategies help customers, they want the customers to understand that the process is very collaborative. The team that works within the Pharmacy is already marketing day in and day out simply by the virtue of doing what they do to serve the customers. The goal of a marketing strategy is to aid that process and add value by driving more traffic in from outside the four walls of the Pharmacy. No longer does just having an ‘Open’ sign at the entrance work—Pharmacists need to showcase why people need to come and pay for their products and services. This is where Sarah believes external consultants come in. Their advice is that Pharmacists need to engage and work with someone who:•Understands the industry•Understands business-to-consumer marketing•Fills the gaps in delivery with their expertise The goal should be to ensure that the marketing strategy thus developed aligns with:•What the customers want and what they see value in•What you are passionate about as a Pharmacy ownerSarah emphasizes that the team is a Pharmacy owner’s number one marketing asset and that they need to be engaged in whatever marketing is done—both digital and traditional. Saying that most purchasing decisions are made before stepping out of the house, Sarah talks about the increasing importance of digital communication. Having said that, here are the nuggets of wisdom:•Have a digital presence•Focus on at least two channels•Have a localized marketing strategy•Be consistent with your content (at least three times a week)Sarah helps each client build a 12-month marketing strategy and for the first three months of that, they conduct a short course for onboarding so clients can get the help they need to come up with their own marketing plan. What the team at Peak Strategies does is help with implementation. Sarah emphasizes that Pharmacy owners need to capitalize on the trust they have in the community and be bold with the use of digital marketing so that more and more people understand what products and services are available in their local Pharmacy.
In the very first episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training, we are joined by host, Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist, and Founder at Locumate, and guest, Karen Brown, Managing Partner at TerryWhite Chemmart, Co-Founder & Director at Batch Tested and Pharmacy Redefined. Listen in as the two passionate Pharmacists talk about the Pharmaceutical Industry at large and how Pharmacies across the country sit at the cusp of transformation in the near future.Karen, in their own words, wears many hats. In addition to being an Award-winning Pharmacist and Pharmacy Owner, Karen is a Founder, a Director, a Leader, a Speaker, and most importantly, a wife and a mother. Having said that, they see synergy in everything that they do and say that at the core of it all is their want to help people—helping their team members be better people, helping their patients get healthier, helping the community achieve better results. They believe that whether in sports or in business, they are people managers who bring together a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.Having done so much across sectors, when asked what their top three pieces of advice for someone starting something completely different, their prompt response was· Take your blinkers off· Say yes to opportunities· Build the plane while you’re flying it (don’t wait for it to be perfect before you launch it)Having said that in their own business, Karen knows how one person as a Pharmacy Owner doesn’t need to know everything and should rather take on the challenges while surrounding themselves with a team of experts. Their advice being, “You need to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”Karen, a firm believer in their mission to challenge the status quo and to redefine how people view community Pharmacy, is no stranger to awards and accolades. They are the Winner of Australian and Qld TerryWhite Chemmart of the Year - Arana Hills 2022, Winner of Small Business Person of the Year - Dickson Australia Day Community Awards 2021, Finalist in the Rhonda White Leadership Award 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and Nominee for Telstra Business Women’s Award 2019, 2020, among others.They believe their work reflects the mark they have left in redefining community Pharmacy. Even though there is validation, they believe that as a team they need to understand that so long as good work is done, the community responds to that.Talking about what Pharmacies need to focus on, they share about· investing heavily in personal development for the team as they strongly believe that people want to belong to something bigger than themselves and people want to belong in a team;· investing in professional development and finding the right person for the right job.Karen believes that the Pharmaceutical Industry is sitting at the precipice of something huge and they are excited about the endless possibilities that the future has in store. They think that in the near future there will be boutique health hubs and more work will be driven toward specialty services and niching. And even though at the core each Pharmacy will still be the same, the customer journey and use of technology will evolve.When asked about Owner’s Summit. Karen elaborates how ownership can be lonely and how contrary to popular assumption, Pharmacy owners are not competitors, they are one another’s biggest cheerleaders rather. They add that instead of doom and gloom, people need to come together, share ideas, and have the courage to be vulnerable in a safe space so that together they can work towards better outcomes. Karen shares how it is important to not just share ideas but also understand how the shared ideas are handled so that the fear of rejection doesn’t plague team members. As they iterate, the pillars remain the betterment of health, team, and community.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC is joined by co-host Kavita Nadan and guest Lisa Golden, Managing Director & CEO of Kizmet Capital. Please take a listen as the three of them talk about the changing world of careers in Pharmacy and Lisa’s drive to repower Pharmacy Finance. Lisa has been in and around Pharmacies her whole life. Even though they have not had formal Pharmacy training, they have been passionate about Community Pharmacy their entire life. Talking about the rebranding of Allfin to Kizmet Capital, Lisa jokes with the team about how everything has been changed except their mobile phone numbers—from email addresses to processes to systems. They add how Kizmet Capital has rebranded to become a more holistic suite of ownership and finance solutions for Community Pharmacy. They have reset, recapitalized, restructured, recruited, realigned, and even relocated. Their goal, as they succinctly put forth, is to ‘repower Pharmacy finance’. In regards to financing Community Pharmacies under the ownership model, Lisa emphasizes how pretty much anyone can access the financing:A first-time Pharmacy owner A Pharmacy owner who needs financing for his fifth PharmacyA Pharmacy owner who needs help with succession planningLisa believes that Pharmacy ownership in Australia is in a bit of a stalemate in Australia with the ownership and swirl of assets revolving around a small group of Pharmacists. And talking in abstract terms is not helping. They highlight the need for a tangible solution. They add that their financing model rests on independent oversight and hence avoids the conflict of interest.There is a lack of interest from graduates wanting to stay in the Pharmaceutical industry. And this has happened because the incentives, opportunities and risks have not been addressed properly. As Pharmacy ownership has evolved over the years, Lisa says that existing Pharmacy owners need to listen to the young generation and their need for fluidity in how they work and live their lives to make the Pharmacy attractive to a potential buyer. The game has changed over the years, from how the locums function to part-time and full-time work at Pharmacies. Pharmacy owners need to change how they practice if they want to get more financing in the business.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC, sits with Yvette Anderson, Clinical Pharmacist, Business Founder, and Consultant. In this episode, they talk about The Spectrum Pharmacist and how Yvette’s life as such has given a sense of direction to what they do on a professional level.
Yvette grew up in Sydney and has been in Pharmacy Industry since they were 16 years old. They have worked in most areas of Pharmacy—community, consulting, home medication, asthma medication, hospital pharmacy (both public and private), and age care. Yvette is a mother to 3 boys, two of whom are neurodiverse. It was initially challenging for Yvette and their family to understand and help their sons. That is how Yvette came up with The Spectrum Pharmacist: an amalgamation of their lived experience and professional knowledge.
Yvette believes there is a lack of understanding, education, awareness, and even inclusion of the neurodiverse space. Pharmacists are the first line of contact for so many people, and they have empathy that many people lack—that makes people trust them. Yvette thinks this makes the dissemination of information a tad bit easier for Pharmacists.
Regarding the work with PharmOnline, Yvette talks about what a great mentor Anna Barwick has been since they connected over LinkedIn in 2001. PharmOnline is a telehealth service that allows you to contact Pharmacists 247365 from the comfort of your home. The platform also allows users to book a one-on-one consultation with Yvette. Adding to that, they say that technology plays an important role in what they do, to the point of making global communication possible.
When asked about access to education and training, Yvette shares how they have been working on education modules and that they provide services through Neurodiverse Squad, which is an invitation for individuals and their families, teachers, carers, health professionals, and anyone to spend an hour and a half with Yvette and a special guest.
All in all, Yvette’s goal is to increase awareness and understanding in the neuro-diverse space. And they want everyone to understand the challenges and come in with a bit of compassion and empathy.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC, has an exciting conversation with Lucy Walker, Owner of Terry White Chemmart Pharmacy, Goondiwindi.
Listen in as the two of them chat about how technology can be used to increase efficiencies across the Pharmaceutical Industry with the goal of better serving the health needs of community members. Born and bred in Brisbane, Lucy moved to Goondiwindi for love. Based on her experience, Lucy believes that in a place like Goondiwindi, where everyone knows and looks after one another, working as a Pharmacist can be rewarding. She adds that the place has been supportive of embracing innovation and has allowed her to try new things.
Then she goes on to talk about the three major technologies in use in the Pharmacy:
- Spenser the Dispenser - BD Rowa™ - dispensing robots & digital selling solutions
The business has been using Spenser for close to five years now. Lucy says that doing so has saved them time and effort. In addition to being able to multitask and prioritize tasks better than humans, Spenser has also been a draw card for the Pharmacy as people like to see a robot in action.
Lucy’s advice for anyone looking at using a robot in the Pharmacy is that they go for the best available technology and also one that is bigger than what one would expect because businesses always tend to get busier and grow.
- Bister Bill - Home - Synergy Medical (synmedrx.com)
Lucy is a Churchill Fellow, and that fellowship allowed her to explore global innovative Pharmacy practices. She was rather impressed by how blister packing was done in Canada and so brought the technology to her Pharmacy.
Lucy says that blister packing technology has sped up the process and is much more accurate than humans. She says that what would otherwise take a week, takes as little than half a day with blister packing. She adds that a blister pack, however, is just a tool or a conversation starter with a patient who has a medication adherence issue.
- Drones - Home - Swoop Aero
Drones are the most recent addition to Lucy’s team where trials have been ongoing for longer than expected because of Covid.
Earlier, people would have to carry their paper scripts and walk up to a Pharmacy and collect their medication—either walk in themselves or ask or friend to collect it for them; sometimes even ask that Australia Post does the service. Things have changed now. There are e-scripts, and then there are drones. Even though licensing can be tough Lucy hopes that more and more people use it so that it becomes cheaper in the long run and more benefits are reaped—as in many other countries where the use of drones is more common and where it has a wider area of coverage.
Andrew Pattinson is the Head of Innovation for new merged The Platform Alliance Group and in this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, talks to host Scott Carpenter, EVBC about the journey of the group and how technology has been pivotal to that.
Andrew has had a long and proud history in Pharmacy. The son of a Pharmacist, Andrew recalls how being no good at chemistry that Pharmacy wasn’t going to be a career choice. So Andrew went on to study Psychology at university while working at the family’s Pharmacy. As an engaging business leader, Andrew chose to head down the path of consumer and organizational psychology and when working with a consulting firm involved with Pharmacies was pulled into the broader Pharmaceutical industry with Instigo. As a business, Instigo built new solutions for community Pharmacies. It started off just in loyalty and marketing, then they moved into merchandise services, professional health services, in-store clinic programs, business consulting and advisory services. And then over time, they formed strategic alliances with other groups and ended up providing outsourced solutions to those groups. That led to group mergers and have now formed The Platform Alliance Group—positioned to build the strongest Independent Pharmacy Network in Australia. From today forward, Andrew firmly believes that the focus should be on optimizing the functions within a Community Pharmacy so that patient care can be maximized. Andrew believes that technology has a critical role to play in this and points out the following challenges that need to be overcome to get better outcomes: • Need to meet the patients/customers where they want to be met • Sufficient investment • Managing different technological platforms so that they communicate properly
Topics Covered • How the Platform Alliance Group was formed • Services provided by the group • How to optimize functions to maximize patient care • Use of technology • Challenges faced
This episode of Pharmacy View Podcast with host Scott Carpenter, EVBC features guest Luke Renehan, CEO and Founder at VaxApp, an immunisation and diagnostic management platform delivering health services at community clinics, pharmacies, aged & disability care facilities, workplaces and schools. Luke shares how the platform was designed to safely vaccinate more people in less time with less cost. As the son of an immunisation nurse, Luke remembers being constantly jabbed with all kinds of vaccines while hearing about the challenges faced by frontline immunisation teams. When COVID hit, Luke was in Europe, as border closures were announced he booked the next flight back to Australia. It was on the last day of quarantine that a phone call with his mum sparked the idea for VaxApp. Luke has over 15 years of experience in events marketing and technology, designing and implementing systems that were really focused on how to improve efficiency and operational capacity. So, that is what was replicated with VaxApp—bringing together immunisation, technology and process and that is how VaxApp is now being used to support Pharmacies to safely vaccinate more people in less time with less cost. VaxApp was developed to protect immunisation providers by reducing the face-to-face time required with patients. Having the entire workflow be supported by technology ensured the following: • Increased the capacity to vaccinate • Reduce average vaccination time • Improved patient outcomes
Asad Mehmood is a Pharmacist, a Medicinal Chemist, a Pharmacy Trainer and a KAPS Coach and in this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, talks to host Scott Carpenter, EVBC about the journey as a OS Pharmacist coming to Australia, the work being done with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and as a KAPS Coach. Asad hails from Pakistan and moved to Australia to study and successfully complete a Masters degree. Having faced many challenges including the personal journey of being a student, then working and settling in Australia, Asad wanted to make the same process easier for other aspiring Overseas Pharmacists. That is why Asad chose to become a KAPS Coach and Pharmacy Trainer. Using Facebook to connect with Overseas Pharmacists, help them immigrate to Australia and assist Australian Pharmacies deal with the current shortage of quality Pharmacists. Australia is a melting pot of world cultures and can provide Overseas Pharmacists with the two things they seek: • Better quality of life • Respect for the work that they do Asad believes managing these expectations of Overseas Pharmacists is key to ensuring their loyalty with any Australian Pharmacy business.
This episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast features Pharmacist Anna Barwick, Director, PharmOnlineAu, an advisory service that aims to provide Australians with 24/7 remote access to registered, experienced Pharmacists via telehealth consultations. Listen in as host Scott Carpenter, EVBC talks to Anna about taking the Dispensary online and what possibilities it holds in the near future. Anna calls herself a fairly complex character. And rightfully so! She is a Pharmacist by trade, a PhD candidate at UQ on the topic of medication rationalisation and deprescribing (stopping unnecessary medicines), a Pharmacy Practice Academic at the University of New England (UNE), an accredited practitioner for undertaking Home Medication Reviews (HMRs) through the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacists (AACP), a vaccinator, an educator, a mother, and a rural woman. Anna and husband are both Pharmacists and the idea of PharmOnline actually stems from their own experience. When breastfeeding their baby, Anna noticed some rash and upon asking Dr Google realised how anxiety-inducing the experience can be for someone who does not have a medical background. It is either that or that people can be isolated for a number of other reasons including remoteness, all which can limit their access to Pharmacists and appropriate advice. Anna wanted to change that and make Pharmacists even more accessible than they already are.
In this episode of Pharmacy View host Scott Carpenter is joined by Phillip Chapman, Director/Founder at Lease1, Australia’s leading Retail Shop Lease specialist, providing a unique tenant-only representation service to ensure retailers achieve the best commercial outcomes on their leases. Listen in to the episode to learn more about how the lease1 is a living document that can be leveraged by a resilient industry like Pharmacy to ensure there is a level playing field between landlords and tenants. Phil shares how he has spent around three decades in the industry and is well aware of the challenges and frustrations that business owners face. Having had that understanding and experience makes him uniquely suited to be behind Lease1 given that the platform is a one-stop-shop to resolve the issues between Pharmacy Owners and landlords. He then talks of his association with the Pharmacy Guild and of being endorsed by Gold Cross for 12 plus years and how he has been working with shop leases for Pharmacists for 25 years. Lease1, delivers tailored solutions and value to retail tenants when it comes to lowering costs, making terms more favourable for tenants, and helping them plan strategically. Phil shares how the company uses Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) to give clients more control over the process and says that their services include (but are not limited to): • tenant consultancy services • lease information and research • site sourcing and selection • dispute resolution • retail franchising • portfolio administration
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC talks to the dynamic duo of Kavita Nadan and Surge Singh about their Locumate Platform/APP where Locums can find the perfect shifts, get paid on time and access additional educational resources to help them grow their career as pharmacists. This is their second chat on the podcast and in this episode, Pharmacist Kavita and IT guru Surge bring to the table not just new and improved features for their platform, Locumate, but also information on jobsinpharmacy.com.au through which they wish to improve the industry on the whole. Kavita and Surge make for a perfect connect between Pharmacy and Technology. After their soft launch, the feedback from locums was that they wanted an automated invoicing piece built into the system. Having fast tracked and built that, the duo realised that the Pharmacy owners weren’t ready for the change and because of that the use of the feature to ensure that the locums are paid the next day has been paused for now. Surge, however, is quick to assure that the technology exists and can be put to use from the very next day. And what’s more? Locums can be paid in crypto, if that’s what they want! All things said and done; they will commence the rollout on the invoicing as soon as requested.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast host Scott Carpenter, talks with Beshara Dafesh, founder and CEO of LeaseIQ, a platform that helps Pharmacy owners manage and keep up to date with their property portfolios and leases. Beshara has had over two decades of experience in various sectors—retail, healthcare, QSR, and telecommunications. He has completed numerous property transactions across the health and medical industries, among others. He founded LeaseIQ with the goal of making a difference and bringing about significant benefits to leasing, site acquisition, and property management so that clients can leverage the data the platform provides to not just grow but also innovate their businesses. Having launched LeaseIQ just under 12 months ago, Beshara calls it a real success story. A lot of organizations and individuals have used it to manage their leases across different sectors, he says. As he puts forth, one of the biggest reasons as to why he created LeaseIQ was that he wanted to give tenants the power over their data as a lease, he believes, is an active document. The features that LeaseIQ provide include (but are not limited to): - an extensive mapping tool, - one-touch lease summaries, - pre-built fields to track leases, - automated updates, - benchmark dashboard, and - reporting functionality LeaseIQ is a centralized cloud-based software system that allows the user to access information whether it is via desktop, mobile or tablet. It keeps track of all the critical dates, documentation compliance, location management and benchmark reporting. A Pharmacist can access industry data and make informed decisions. From guiding investments to lease re-negotiations, data on the platform is a tool that the clients can use to their advantage.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, we are joined by Brad Butt, Founder and Lead Pharmacist at Men's Health Downunder. Listen in as he and host Scott Carpenter, talk about how this experienced Pharmacist has followed his passion and provides competent professional services with a particular focus on men’s Urological health and the medications and devices men can use to optimize outcomes. Brad calls himself a passionate Community Pharmacist and rightfully so. Trying to strike the perfect balance between his personal and professional lives, Brad works as a full-time community Pharmacist four days a week and private practice with Men’s Health Downunder for the fifth day: all the while enjoying being a family man. After having talked about how he started in the Pharmaceutical industry and his work with Life Pharmacy Group, Brad goes on to talk about Men's Health Downunder which was founded in 2015 owing to a lack of reliable and cost-effective endorsed medical grade treatments for men. The company website offers patients a complete solution at a competitive price from a highly regarded profession. Brad finds technology to be critical in the Pharmaceutical industry and so the company uses technology geared towards two things: Positive Business Outcomes (PBOs) and Positive Patient Outcomes (PPOs). The three primary technologies used in the business are: 1. Dragon (an AI tool used for dictation that eases taking of patient notes, writing of letters, and managing of emails) 2. Clinico (a CRM platform that allows you to have a patient database) 3. Clinicom (Support service) Brad concludes by saying that there are primarily two things that a Pharmacist needs to focus on: 1. Connecting with the patient 2. Making them feel that they are cared for
This episode of Pharmacy View Podcast features Jeff Vassel as he and host Scott Carpenter, have an insightful conversation about how data can be used to facilitate better business decision making and thereby achieve improved sales performance. Jeff is the Global Business Development Manager at Geotech Information Services, a company which offers cutting edge strategic planning solutions to Australian retail businesses and the government. Jeff says that there are some key considerations and characteristics that underpin store performance. Irrespective of whether someone has an emerging business, a mid-sized business or even a successful multi-chain business, the fundamental question that everyone wants to be answered is how can they perform better by predicting sales for the new stores that they want to open. Geotech helps such clients through the use of data and science. The list of services they provide includes (but is not limited to): 1. Sales Prediction Modelling 2. Market Share Analysis 3. Location Planning Strategy 4. International Network Planning 5. Sales Cannibalization 6. Performance Reporting 7. Sales Analysis & Strategy
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC talks to Tod O'Connor, CEO & Founder, My Pharmacy Appraisal. My Pharmacy Appraisal (MPA) offers Australian Pharmacy owners the ability to better understand their business through an online assessment and valuation platform which is unique, pragmatic and cost-effective.
Listen to this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, where host Scott Carpenter, EVBC talks with Noel Fosbery, Director, EasyDose Dispensing Solutions and Max Mito, Co-Founder / CEO at StrongRoom AI. While EasyDose is a program for pharmacies providing Opioid Replacement Pharmacotherapy Solutions, StrongRoom AI is an Artificial Intelligence-driven controlled drugs management platform aimed at reducing adverse drug events within the Pharmacy, Hospital and Aged Care Facility settings. And in this episode, they talk about the collaboration of the two. Noel is a WA Pharmacist and Proprietor at Advantage Pharmacy (Falcon, High Wycombe and Morley) and in 2016, his service was recognised as WA & Australian Pharmacist of the Year! With his motto of ‘Do it right, do it once’, Noel, who is also a keen early adopter of technology, looks forward to merging his experience with the technology that Max and his team at StrongRoom AI bring. Having started a decade ago, EasyDose has come a long way, however along that journey Noel and his partners realised they had limited resources that in the long run, could affect customers and limit technological progression so after significant research have decided to now partner with StrongRoom AI. The key to successfully accelerating the product roadmap and building a more robust system, Max says, is collaboration. While StrongRoom AI has expertise on the technological front, Max adds, Noel and his team come with years and years of actual experience in the field. Max believes that in the future their collaboration would help them all: - Keep building new and better products - Keep adding value for the customers Noel also stresses the importance of collaboration and is excited by the possibilities because he believes StrongRoom AI’s team comes with a fresh outlook to innovation that many Pharmacists don’t even think as being possible and are also open to providing information and advice from those who work on the ground. He furthers that the future of the Pharmaceutical industry depends on software as evidenced over the last two years.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC and guest Bruce Hultgren talk about the correlation between productivity and an individual’s wellbeing. Bruce is the Founder and CEO of theGOYA.life, a world-class app that guarantees improvement in staff wellbeing and productivity. Bruce is a former NBL basketballer and has worked for several decades as a coach and educator. He wanted to develop software that he wished he had as an athlete and a coach. He put years into researching best practices that could be included in the app and also drew inspiration from his own experience. The result of all that was the world’s first wellbeing app: theGOYA.life! Bruce believes that a person’s wellbeing stems from mindset as much as it does from being physically fit. That’s why the app addresses the following questions: • Do I belong? • Does someone care? In fact, these were the questions that Bruce asked himself as a 17-year-old when he thought that he would not see the next day and having overcome that personal challenge wanted to stop other people from falling into the same dark hole. The app he created ensures that • An individual has access to a community of people in a bully-free zone where they can choose to let people know how they are feeling on any given day • An individual has access to what he/she needs 24*7 so that they know that someone’s got their back
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC is joined by Kev Ryan, Lead Advisor at pharmacy.forsale, a platform that facilitates the listing and selling of pharmacies globally, without any involvement of brokers and payments of commissions. The platform acts for buyers who can connect with sellers in a private and off-market fashion via its member-only marketplace. Kev is a tax accountant by trade and over his career, he has worked all across Australia. Talking about the platform, he talks of how he thought of it as being an interesting space after having interacted with his accounting friends with predominantly Pharmacy clients and after having watched Pharmacy transactions from afar. He adds that he is new to the industry and seeing it with fresh eyes made him realise the need for a marketplace that would cater to both sellers and buyers without having to depend on a broker. For that reason, his goal was to build an industry specific technology platform to help people transact. He calls it a tool to engage the buy side clients because the sell side is already well represented in the market. Kev emphasises that the key target audience are the young Pharmacists who otherwise don’t have access to the deal flow. The baton needs to be passed from the older and wiser Pharmacists to the younger ones, he believes, as that would help community Pharmacies survive in the future while the threat of bigger groups monopolizing the industry loom large. That doesn’t take away from the fact that the platform is meant for anyone who is genuinely interested in making a deal.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, is joined by Alex Ferguson, CFO / COO at Evolt IOH, a technology driven health and wellness company that is powering connected and digital health. Listen in as the two talk about this end-to-end digital solution that takes an evidence-based approach to its development and practical usage. Alex started out as a Chartered Accountant and worked in the financial industry in London UK and Canada for over half a decade before making his way back home to Australia. He’s now the CFO/COO of Evolt IOH and the work, he says, has allowed him to understand how technology can make a huge impact in the health segment. Alex further explains how they use validated Bio Impedance Technology to assess a whole bunch of benchmarks and use that data to help the customers. Even though the company initially and mostly focused on gyms, they work across numerous verticals really—from the corporates to the government, from pharmacies to allied health. The key, he says, is to use the technology and the data thus produced to not only keep members engaged but also honest to their needs. Alex believes that the technology offers limitless opportunities when it comes to working with Pharmacies, not just in Australia but across the world. He uses the case of supplements to further his point. In its result sheet, the technology collects a whole bunch of data and after having cross analysed that with customer’s body composition and the goals they have, recommends training or nutrition program—also supplements that the Pharmacies can sell.
This episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC is joined by Jess Ly and Eric Moschietto-Fransa and they talk about PharmX, the most extensive network of community Pharmacies and suppliers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Jess was a full-time Community Pharmacist before she found joy in the digital health field. Still a Community Pharmacist, she is the Customer and Marketing lead at PharmX. Likewise, Eric has worked in Australia for the last 22 years with many organizations, suppliers and market leaders. He finds that technological improvements have made the Pharmaceutical industry exciting when it comes to work. Delving more into PharmX, Eric talks about how it was created in 2005 in order to solve a particular problem that existed in the industry. Fragmented trade is a nature of Pharmacy industry in Australia, he adds, where there are 5000 Pharmacies with myriad POS solutions and there are also wholesalers and direct suppliers with their own solutions. The problem, he highlights, is the lack of a connectivity partner that can help all those parties connect with each other. PharmX was created on the premise of solving that problem.
Listen to this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast where host Scott Carpenter sits with Pharmacist Mark Feldschuh to learn more about Mark’s journey in the Pharmaceutical industry.
Having owned a Pharmacy for over three decades, Mark is passionate about the industry. Over the course of time, Mark learned from a whole lot from people: from attending conferences to hearing people talk about new ideas—learning was everywhere. As advocacy and professional development have also always been areas of interest, Mark worked towards bringing betterment in those regards and really wanted to give back in the same way. Mark now helps business owners develop their own pharmacies. Mark emphasizes the need for the following in any Pharmacy: 1. Systems A key requisite that Mark champions is the need for using systems. He says that once systemization is in place, it becomes easier to manage Pharmacies.
- Patient’s Interest Another key element is to ensure that the Pharmacy is serving the patient’s best interests.
This episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast features a wonderful conversation between host Scott Carpenter, EVBC and guest Norman Thurecht, Partner, Pitcher Partners. Pitcher Partners is an association of independent full-service accounting, audit and advisory firms with advisory experts from accounting and business sharing insights about issues impacting family-controlled and privately owned businesses, high net-worth individuals, the public sector and NFP organisations. Listen in as in this episode, Scott and Norman delve on the outcomes of analysing data and exploring possibilities utilizing technology in the Pharmaceutical industry. An accountant by trade, Norman developed an interest in Pharmacy in early 2000s. He recounts having used systems and process both within the business and for the clients for the past 20-25 years with the goal of creating benchmarks for clients and the industry as a whole by consolidating data from the proprietary systems. He adds that cloud-based services have been used by the company to consolidate data on need identified basis and to give that back to the Pharmacists as quality information. That said, Norman understands that Pharmacies have idiosyncrasies and because everyone wants to operate business in their own fashion and have control over the outcome, their reports allow for that. He further goes on to talk about the need for balance of the businesses within a core business. Taking packaging facility as an example, he breaks down the nitty-gritties of looking at such ‘business within the business’ as a separate entity and being able to justify the need for the same. The goal, he emphasizes, is to drive efficiency. Pharmacists that are traders and are good at merchandizing and marketing do really well in those regards, he adds. As the core for any Pharmacy is health, Norman says that there’s an increased need to cater to the numbers around health and not elsewhere. Scott Carpenter, EVBC | LinkedIn Shopfront Solutions: Overview | LinkedIn Shopfront Solutions Aerion Technologies: Overview | LinkedIn Aerion Technologies | Helping Non Techs Build Better Tech Pharmacy View Podcast: Overview | LinkedIn Pharmacy View Norman Thurecht | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitcher-pharmacy/
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=pitcher%20pharmacy
https://instagram.com/pitcherpharmacy?utm_medium=copy_link
This episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, features Julian Sallabank, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Corum Group Australia alongside host Scott Carpenter, EVBC. Take a listen as the two of them talk about Julian’s eventful career, how the Australian Pharmaceutical Market sits on a bed of opportunities, and how technology can be leveraged to leapfrog into the future that is ultimately beneficial to the end users. Julian believes that Australia at large is a great place for innovation in Pharmacy and even though there weren’t many changes in the industry for a decade or two prior to COVID, Julian is amazed at how quickly things have materialized since the onset of COVID over the past two years. He acknowledges Australian government’s support and feels that the future holds much promise in terms of technological advancements in the industry.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC is joined by Tracee Blythe, Advisor and Educator at Tracee Blythe Consulting. An experienced naturopath and a leader in the complementary medicine industry, Tracee, talks about her running a diverse business with a simple mission: to improve the health of everyone in the community.
Social Media Clips (Time Stamps) • The Goal is to Provide Better Health (3:07 – 4:21) • Catering to a Niche Need (5:25 – 6:14) • Increased Pressure on the Pharmacists (6:58 – 9:09) • Getting the Right Information to the Patient (11:20 – 14:01) • Use of Tech Platforms (19:11- 22:40) • Evidence Backed Medication (24:52 – 26:28)
Useful Links Scott Carpenter, EVBC | LinkedIn Shopfront Solutions: Overview | LinkedIn Shopfront Solutions Aerion Technologies: Overview | LinkedIn Aerion Technologies | Helping Non Techs Build Better Tech Pharmacy View Podcast: Overview | LinkedIn Pharmacy View Tracee Blythe | LinkedIn Tracee Blythe Consulting Symplicity | Home Page MemberVault Webinars (zoom.us) Vimeo | The world's only all-in-one video solution Quicktime App Download ⬇️ Quicktime Player: Free Windows Media App by Apple (quicktime-app.com)
This episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast features Pharmacist Nader Mitri, General Manager PharmaPrograms. Listen in as host Scott Carpenter, EVBC and Nader talk about the evolution of technology used in Pharmacies and what the future holds for PharmaPrograms helping patients receive more value from their Health journey. Having spent 18 years in the Pharmacy industry, 10 years as a business owner of three Pharmacies, Nader is driven by passion when it comes to his work. When it felt like he was a little burnt out and needed to spend more time with his family, he sold his Pharmacies to start working with PharmaPrograms for a better work/life balance—no keeping him away from what he knows and likes!
Talking about PharmaPrograms, Nadir shares how the current programs are run across 5.400 community pharmacies which participate in at least one of each of these programs. Adding on, he says since its initiation, they have paid over 37 million dollars to community pharmacies in revenue for their support. The programs, which could either be primary product or health condition focused, he furthers, are privately funded by the manufacturers. There’s no cost that pharmacies need to pay to enrol in the programs and their policy ensures that all kinds of pharmacies from community to hospital pharmacies, from PBS to Non-PBS to compounding pharmacies have access to the programs.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC talks to the charismatic duo of Pharmacist Kavita Nadan and Tech Wizard Surge Singh about their Locumate platform, the goal of which is to create efficiency between Pharmacy Teams and Locums in Australia. With Locumate, Locums can find the perfect shifts, get paid on time and get access to additional educational resources to help them grow their career as pharmacists.
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, Host Scott Carpenter, EVBC is joined by Dr. Ganesh Naidoo, Co-founder and CEO at Medmate, a conformant software product for e-prescribing that lets the user access over 1000 pharmacies across Australia at the click of a button. While over the last year and half of all businesses have been increasingly turning to the use of technology, Medmate’s humble beginnings go back to Ganesh’s years of being a general practitioner where everyday he’d come home, order a pizza from Uber Eats at the click of a button, have it delivered to his doorsteps in under 20 minutes, and wonder if something like that were possible in the pharmaceutical and medical field, at large. ‘Medmate’ was the solution that he and his friends envisioned. Not undermining the importance of face-to-face counsel, he emphasizes that Medmate makes access to medication easy for those who cannot, owing to any number of reasons, go to a brick-and-mortar store to collect their scripts.
Technology is fast paced and businesses across the spectrum, including the ones in the pharmaceutical industry, need to understand the pulse of the business on any given day—visitation, dwell time, sales data, customer expectation and experience, missed opportunities, conversion rates, to name a few. This is essential in ensuring that they make the necessary changes to drive up the revenue. Blix, as Brett emphasises, helps with just that by primarily collecting four major data sets: 1. Passing or Outside Traffic 2. Inside Traffic 3. Dwell Time 4. Missed Opportunities
This episode of Pharmacy View Podcast features Simon Reynolds, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Australia’s largest Independent Pharmacy Group - Pharmacy Alliance. During this gripping conversation, Host Scott Carpenter, EVBC and Simon talk about how technology has been a key driver behind the success of the Pharmacy Group and how it will continue to be leveraged for the good of not just the members but also the communities being served, at large. The son of a pharmacist and then being mentored by his dad (who also became his business partner), developing a passion for ownership of an independent pharmacy came naturally to Simon. Then having grown up around pharmacists, Simon started his own Pharmacy buying group in 2002, building it around a technology platform with centralized IT department, centralized product sales systems, and centralized control over stock and price management of the member stores. That platform by 2008 evolved into the Pharmacy Alliance Generic Matrix (PAGM) that maximizes dispensary growth and buying efficiency. The goal of the system, Simon emphasizes, is to make it as easy as possible to operate with the use of an Inventory Intelligence Program—from guaranteeing that the shelves are stocked, to providing the right pricing, to not having to pay for the stock until they are dispensed, to even checking for redundancies and overstocking. While the onset of COVID hit many hard, Simon talks about how people moving back to their rural communities tied in with national vaccination drive meant that the independent pharmacies benefitted from the sheer growth in volume. He does, however, acknowledge that technology could have been better used during the period when it came to POS, pricing and profit margin, among others. Calling technological integration, a prerequisite for growth in the industry, Simon is proud to have a team of dedicated professionals that tailor makes training, systems, and processes for member pharmacies because there certainly isn’t a one-size-fits-all in the pharmaceutical industry.
Topics Covered • How Pharmacy Alliance Came into Being • Using Technology in the Pharmaceutical Industry • Pharmacy Group Manager (PGM) • Impact of COVID on the Industry • Future of the Industry from the Tech Perspective
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, Host Scott Carpenter, EVBC talks to Bruce Manton and Clarence Ho from Mediumcast, a company that helps clients create interactive digital experiences for real world customers. This day and age is characterized by an ever-increasing need for digital communication, and in this episode, the host and his two guests explore how Mediumcast is positioned to help with just that. Having had the humble beginnings of started-in-our-garage, Bruce and Clarence soon understood the importance of engaging the audience. While television and radio symbolises ‘broadcast’ and one’s own playlist serves as a ‘narrowcast’, the duo worked towards building Mediumcast as the one in between broadcast and narrowcast. In doing so, they developed a platform that helps store owners and proprietors of both brick and mortar and online stores to engage more effectively with their audience. On how the platform works, they share that their next level detection devices set up across a retail store help with the collection of vital data including; customer demographic, when they shop, how long they were in the store for; which sections they spent the most time in, and data that helps businesses cater much more efficiently to the needs of the customers. What their platform does is bridge the gap for store owners when it comes to analytics by using AI to determine who comes to the store, when they come in, and what they do. All of this, they add, is automated so business owners can get the digital content of their choice either from their designer or their social media or even their suppliers (say promotional products) and schedule that in a playlist to be displayed across one or many screens. Digital signage, the duo shares, influences the behavior of the consumers. And while the founders foresee much evolution in the way the platform functions, more data would mean a more mature system and they want potential users to know that they work with audience detection and not identification. Topics Covered - Conceptualization of Mediumcast - Application of Mediumcast in the Retail and Pharmacy Sector - Advantages of Digital Communication Over Print Communication - Mediumcast as a Cloud-Based Platform - Examples of Success - Focus on Ensuring Security of the Customers - Services Provided by Mediumcast Contact through their website https://mediumcast.com/
This episode of Pharmacy View features a fascinating conversation about the power of AI (artificial intelligence) to keep community pharmacies competitive. Host Scott Carpenter welcomes Michael Alexander, a pharmacist and tech entrepreneur whose insights you won’t want to miss. Michael shares his perspective as someone who has worked in the pharmacy industry both in Australia and the U.S. and for companies both large and small. He breaks down some of the differences between the consolidated chain-oriented market in the U.S. versus the culture of independent pharmacies in Australia and how they differentiate from big-box discounters.
This two part episode of Pharmacy View podcast explores cutting-edge digital transaction technology that is transforming retail interactions for both merchants and customers. Scott and his co-hosts Andrew and Anthony welcome Technologist Hamish Sadler, who details for them the thinking and pain points behind a ground breaking platform that tracks merchant and shopper activity without compromising privacy in any way.
This two part episode of Pharmacy View podcast explores cutting-edge digital transaction technology that is transforming retail interactions for both merchants and customers. Scott and his co-hosts Andrew and Anthony welcome Technologist Hamish Sadler, who details for them the thinking and pain points behind a ground breaking platform that tracks merchant and shopper activity without compromising privacy in any way.
The biggest barrier to widespread adoption of earth-friendly digital receipts is reticence about data-sharing on the part of both retailers and consumers. But Hamish explains how xiippy.ai identifies transactional history and spending habits while preserving anonymity. It’s a privacy-preserving, data-rich payment platform that offers in-store and online payment solutions in an entirely secure environment. The technology also offers online dashboards for merchants and free-to-use web-based apps and tools for consumers interested in receiving information and leveraging their data.
Hamish walks us through a number of pain points and describes exactly how the xiippy.ai platform addresses them with its two-way, encrypted communication channel. Although at no point are merchants and their consumers required to exchange any contact details, Hamish offers examples of practical use cases for data such as smart receipts, recall notifications, catalogues, Covid test updates and retail deals.
Learn how this transformational technology is creating a platform that both protects consumers from exposure to hacking and tracking but at the same time offers retail merchants targeted, blind opportunities to offer great customer care and purchasing opportunities.
On this episode of Pharmacy View, Scott sits down with two guests, Mark Feldschuh and Max Mito, to discuss the function and application of Strong Room AI. Mark, a seasoned pharmacist in Melbourne, provides insight in the effectiveness of Strong Room AI in a pharmacy setting, and how this improves the customer experience. Max, the co-owner and CEO of Strong Room AI, sheds light on the functions of the system.
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott talks with Zamil Solanki, award winning pharmacist, serial entrepreneur and industry leading business strategist. Zamil has extensive experience helping health entrepreneurs, pharmacy owners and corporate organizations succeed using tailor-made solutions and real-world implementation strategies.
Zamil shares from his wealth of knowledge about technology in the pharmacy space and dives into his passion for improving patient and provider experience. At the heart of it all is customer service and the pharmacist patient relationship, and technology can be utilized in a way that enhances that and enables things we never thought possible.
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott talks with Kavita Nadan and Surge Singh from the soon to be launched Locumate Pharmacy Support Business, an app that is working to connect Pharmacies and Locums.
Scott discusses with Kavita and Surge the origins of Locumate and how they came up with the idea. Kavita explains how after having to spend all of her Pharmacy’s wage budget on Locums when some of her Pharmacists had to be out for Covid testing, and especially after hiring a Locum who ended up not being able to perform the kind of Pharmacotherapy she needed done, she realized there was a huge lack of communication between Pharmacies and Locums in the hiring process and it gave her the idea to create a program to help fill this gap. Kavita and Surge explain their process of creating the prototype for the Locumate app and what their situation looks like for going live with the app.
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott talks with Brianne Shephard, winner of the Pharmacy Assistant of the Year award in 2019. Scott and Brianne discuss Brianne’s experience in working with independent pharmacies and pharmacists to build their front-of-shop businesses and professional services. Brianne describes some of the difficulties she faces when trying to implement IT changes in pharmacies, and how best to approach a change management plan to get everybody on board and make things run smoothly.
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott talks with Simon Carroll, Director of Health Information Australia, as well as co-founder Ehealth Coach and of the charity Global Schools Partners.
After briefly discussing Simon’s background in owning pharmacies Scott and Simon go through a detailed walkthrough of what Health Information Australia does and how it works. QR codes are provided to pharmacies (usually embedded in the shelf stripping on the aisles, so they can be easily accessed while browsing) which consumers can scan with their phones to be taken directly to digital brochures that provide detailed information about the most common minor ailments (ie. the common cold, hay fever, etc.) This information can be contained via that pharmacy’s own brand website if they have one, allowing them to brand the content their own way, or the QR codes can link to the Health Information Australia website instead.
The massive influence of technology on the retail pharmacy industry is front and centre in this episode of Pharmacy View. Scott welcomes long time colleague Chris Swifte of the AP Group. Together they survey the landscape past, present and future with regard to the role IT platforms play in today’s pharmacy sector. They touch on the efficiency and expansiveness of big data as well as partnering opportunities for new and independent pharmacists.
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott and his guest, Roger Simpson of The Retail Solution, take a look at tech trends that will have lasting impacts in the post-Covid world. A thought leader with more than 25 years’ experience in the areas of retail consulting and training, Roger shares thoughts about how to improve customer service and in so doing boost total retail sales – in particular within the pharmacy space.
Whether it’s artificial intelligence, big data or delivery by drones, all roads for pharmacies lead back to engaging with community. Building on the high levels of trust already present among customers in the health care sector, pharmacies have an opportunity to leverage technologies that will minimize pain points and maximize consumer satisfaction. Roger provides insights about some specific new tools as well as four baseline “must have’s” for retailers who want to thrive in an increasingly tech-influenced world.
Links for Roger Simpson: • (Company Website): The Retail Solution • Roger @LinkedIn
Pharmacy View/Sponsor Contacts: Scott @LinkedIn Sponsor: https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott and his guest, Natalie Sirianni, break down the many components involved in the sale of a pharmacy. A broker whose entire family works in various aspects of the industry, Natalie draws on 15 years of experience. She walks us through a checklist of items to consider when buying or selling a pharmacy. Many of the most challenging aspects of such sales extend well beyond traditional bricks-and-mortar business concerns.
Social Media Clips: • The ways in which technologies have transformed due diligence and the process of purchasing a pharmacy through the use of virtual data rooms. (06:23-07:38) • In addition to other technology systems, social media can present a “bit of a minefield” when it comes to the smooth transfer of pharmacy business operations. (13:07-13:56) • Technology smooths the process, but at the same time adds steps and variables to consider and address. (16:35-16:50) • Confidentiality requires that sales are kept confidential even from staff up until the last moment, which has implications for transitioning into a new operation. (19:11-19:42) • Medici Capital-sponsored events, what they offer and what’s ahead post-Covid19. (24:46-25:58)
Links for Natalie Sirianni: (Company Website): www.iattain.com.au Natalie's Bio @LinkedIn Medici Capital Events
Pharmacy View/Sponsor Contacts: Scott at LinkedIn https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, our guest is Sue Muller, founder of LocumCo, Australia’s leading pharmacist owned and operated specialist recruitment company.
As a young locum, Sue realized that she was unable to accommodate all of the requests she received. After repeatedly passing jobs to friends, she saw an opportunity and created LocumCo to revolutionize the Pharmacist Locum industry. Sue’s database eventually expanded to the entire country.
Starting a business in the 1980’s meant that Sue did a lot of work by hand. She saw the advent of the Internet as a ‘miracle’ and relished the ability to post jobs online and receive an immediate response. Since then, technology has allowed her to grow her business without always having to increase staff.
This increased flexibility and freedom is especially helpful when dealing with regional and rural pharmacies. Having a targeted database with a service-based app allows Sue to contact the closest people first, and then expand her search as needed. Newer tools such as dialpad have made it easier to delegate and share work, while online magazine creator Mobimag lets Sue share valuable information with potential employees and clients in real time.
Social Media Clips - Starting a business in the pre-Internet era (2:53-4:00) - The additional challenges of emergency rural services (8:35-10:50) - Freedom and flexibility through emerging technology (17:17-19:28)
Connect with Scott https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ https://aerion.com.au/
Connect with Sue Facebook LinkedIn
Connect with LocumCo Official Website Twitter Facebook Mobimag Magazine
Other Links Mentioned - Contact the Emergency Locum Service (ELM) - Get started with dialpad - Register for the 2021 APP Conference
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott’s guest is Ironman Champion Guy Leech who will be attending APP2021 on the Gold Coast this year as part of a newly formed Sudden Cardiac Arrest awareness partnership with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and several major Pharmacy Groups.
Originally from Melbourne, Guy lives today on Sydney’s North Shore beaches where he spends a lot of time keeping up his fitness as well as coaching local health and fitness groups. After witnessing the death of a friend at one of these group events due to heart failure, Guy was committed to learning more about how to prevent unnecessary heart-related casualties. His research brought him to the use of lifesaving defibrillators, which he knew were common but not common enough.
Guy asserts that most people (pharmacies included) are hesitant to purchase and install defibrillators because they believe they are either hard to use or expensive which led to his partnership with Stryker Medical and creation of the Heart180 Defibs support business. Guy discusses that the costs of defibs continue to go down as well as being tax deductible for most businesses as a lifesaving device. Guy points out that the technology incorporated in each Defib unit coupled with online training means the use of defibrillators is not as complicated as many would believe as the Defib units talks/coaches you in what to do. Anyone can use a defibrillator.
Guy hopes that partnerships with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and other major Pharmacy groups can help drive the conversation toward placing more defibrillators in each Pharmacy’s local community. Greater access to defibrillators could help to drop Australia’s 100-per-day heart fatality rate.
Topics Covered:
● Wanting to be the next Grant Kenny ● Guy’s time on Australian Survivor ● Checking in on heart health ● How defibrillators actually work ● There is wide misunderstanding about how easy defibrillators are to use ● The support of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia
Key Quotes (Time Stamps):
● “Out of all the shows on television, our whole family loved [Survivor] the most.” (4:20) ● “Knowing what’s going on inside your body is a massive part of dodging a heart-related incident.” (8:15) ● “The youngest guy in the group, a 39-year-old, was the fittest one and had to have two stints put in, so you just don’t know what’s going on inside your body unless you get checked up.” (9:30) ● “If you ring an ambulance, expect one to show up in 15 minutes...your chance of restarting a heart drops by 10% every 90 seconds.” (14:15) ● “Today we lose 100 people a day in Australia to heart-related issues.” (16:20) ● “I’m confident, but I want time to go quicker so we can get them out there to people who need them.” (24:30)
Social Media Clips: ● ● Why going off to get heart checks is a good idea (7:45-10:15) ● The history of the defib (10:45-12:30)
Connect with Guy: ● Find him on LinkedIn
Other Links Mentioned: ● https://www.linkedin.com/company/heart180-defibs/ ● https://heart180.com.au/ ● https://www.guild.org.au/resources/business-operations/heart180 ● https://uk.heartsine.com/ ● https://www.stryker.com/au/en/
Connect with Scott • https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc • https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ • https://aerion.com.au/
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, our guest is Daniel Riley, director at Suntax. He is passionate about developing and using accounting tools that can help speed up cash flow to small businesses and keep them running.
Daniel is an accountant by trade, but he joined Suntax to help make the accounting process easier for small businesses. Part of this comes from the Xero platform, which he recommends to all small businesses and startups looking for a workhorse accounting solution. Another major part comes from the desire to use cloud computing technology to help businesses deliver and analyze their data much faster. He talks about how traditional accounting platforms create a lag in data delivery times upwards of eight weeks—a problem that cloud accounting fixes. The logic is that the longer a business needs to wait, the older the data is, and it is very difficult to make meaningful business decisions with old data.
● Find him on LinkedIn ● Check the website at Suntax.com.au
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, our guest is managing partner from Chemist Discount Centre in Endeavour Hills - Pharmacist Kavita Nadan. During the episode, Kavita discusses the future of Pharmacy innovation and the importance of keeping an open mind and being receptive to change as it comes.
Kavita discusses her background and how she developed a passion for the intersection of IT in the Pharmacy space. Using the example of how Netflix disrupted the marketplace, Kavita explains how the future of and evolution of Pharmacy operations requires an open mind and the ability to be more comfortable with taking risks. By necessity Pharmacists are naturally risk adverse, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in that profession but in order for the profession to evolve there has to be room for new ideas and unexpected challenges and failures.
One example of this came to the forefront recently as COVID-19 posed new challenges for helping patients. Kavita explains how e-scripts are developing and have the potential to increase privacy for patients as well as become more reliable than traditional faxes. It’s a work in progress but a good Pharmacist can find a way to overcome those problems and challenges that arrive in order to deliver a better patient experience. As she writes in her blog, Kavita believes the future is now, and in order to move forward as a profession we really need to start thinking this way and embracing it instead of maintaining the status quo.
Topics Covered: ● Kavita Nadan’s background ● Digital Era of Pharmacy ● Fred NXT software ● Embracing change in the industry and taking risks ● What’s next – what does the future look like?
Key Quotes (Time Stamps): • “If we're talking about a change in mindset, we have to have this open to change open to failure and obviously not at the detriment of our customers ever but the ability to be open to new things.” (12:17)
• “We were the ones in the battle zone so we had to be able to feel comfortable and know that this product is going to be able to do what we needed to do.” (13:47)
• “Put your hand up and say, hey let's do it because then you can understand the in and out of it and can help to shape that product to how you think it will best fit your store or your environment or your industry.” (16:06)
Social Media Clips: ● Digital era of pharmacy (9:37- 9:57) ● Embracing Change (17:40-18:00) ● Things keep evolving – Met Advisor example ( 21:57 – 22:51)
Connect with Scott • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc • https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ • https://aerion.com.au/
Connect with Kavita: ● Kavita’s LinkedIn
Referred links: ● Chemist Discount Center ● Fred NXT
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, our guest is Pharmacist Pasquale de Maria who has made the professional transition from Full Time Pharmacist & Pharmacy Owner to Bookkeeping Business owner. During the episode, Pasquale discusses some of his positions on digital bookkeeping, and offers insights into why it can save Pharmacies time and money.
Jumping right in, Pasquale describes some of the digital accounting platforms that he’s found the most success with. He explains that many of these platforms certainly come with a learning curve (and even an initial investment), but the cost is quickly returned as processes are streamlined and fewer mistakes are made. The most compelling argument for moving bookkeeping and accounting jobs to automated platforms is the ease with which they can handle simple tasks. Everything from receipt scanning and storing to email replies are all simple enough to be automated today, which in turn reduces your operational costs.
Pasquale also thinks that there are simple investments, or “small efficiencies,” that can greatly improve the operations of pharmacies if they would just make that initial leap. He provides an example of adding an additional monitor or newer, faster computer to the point of sale system in your Pharmacy could save so much in the long run. Of course, it’s hard to initially see how valuable a small purchase like that could be, but Pasquale recommends Pharmacists to trust the process of investing in the efficiency of their business. So ultimately, many of these things boil down to change management functions. But once people see and believe in the change that can help their businesses, it’s often hard to shake them out of that zone. It’s getting them there that’s tricky.
Topics Covered:
● Accounting platforming options. ● Utilizing automations for simple bookkeeping tasks. ● Customer data capture and recordkeeping. ● Telehealth impacted incidental office visits. ● The benefits of physically walking into a pharmacy. ● The geographic reach of Pasquale’s company. ● Change management in boosting economic efficiency. ● It’s about having the mindset of improving processes.
Key Quotes (Time Stamps):
● “Pharmacies need to have bookkeepers they trust, with a good reputation.” (7:15) ● “I don’t believe you should be paying accounting rates for bookkeeping that can be done for much cheaper.” (8:20) ● “Having a pharmacist do the books means you actually know what makes sense and what doesn’t.” (15:45) ● “You don’t really appreciate what a small efficiency can do until you do it. A second monitor might be $400, but I just think it’s a must.” (17:20) ● “We work to live rather than work to live.” (24:00)
Social Media Clips: ● Challenges that technology has brought to designing pharmacies now. (10:00 – 12:00) ● Automated accounting solutions. (9:00 – 10:00) ● Ethical data capture at pharmacies. (13:00 – 15:30) ● The value of change management. (19:30 – 21:45)
Connect with Scott • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc • https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ • https://aerion.com.au/
Connect with Pasquale: ● Pasquale’s LinkedIn ● Pharmacy Bookkeeping, Management, Consultancy Services and Payroll Solutions (mindyourbeezwax.com.au)
Technology mentioned ● my.MYOB - Welcome to my.MYOB - online support and service ● Accounting Software | Making Single Touch Payroll Easy | Xero AU ● Z Software ● Dext, formerly Receipt Bank ● Zapier, automating your tasks. ● ScreenConnect Remote Support Software That Just Works
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott talks with Sarah Stoddart of Vitality Law, who practices commercial and employment law with a focus in the healthcare industry.
Scott and Sarah focus today on Technology and HR law. Sarah talks about the issues companies face when using their social media platforms to post staff/customer images and the issues of privacy and consent surrounding that practice, as well as how to go about obtaining the appropriate consent. She also cautions individual Pharmacists who are part of a franchise or “banner brand” to look into the logistics of whether or not they are even allowed to use social media under the name of the parent company without express permission.
Scott and Sarah also discuss the issues that employees face in regards to their own personal social media accounts and how their employment can be affected if they post things on their personal accounts that do not represent what their workplace stands for. Sarah explains how Pharmacies can benefit from reviewing their standard policies and procedures and implementing those as part of the employment agreement to make sure they have clearly defined workplace standards.
Scott and Sarah briefly touch on the importance of Pharmacies establishing their phone and internet usage policies in the workplace, then wrap up by discussing the importance of confidentiality in the healthcare industry and how sometimes data or information might inadvertently be shared, thereby breaking confidentiality. Sarah ends by offering a reminder that a Pharmacy is a regulated health services and there are laws around regulating advertising for these types of services including the promotion on social media of Customer referrals where the product or service being referred may have advertising restrictions.
Topics Covered: • Issues of consent and privacy that pharmacies may face when posting images on their social media accounts • Issues employees can face when having their personal social media accounts affiliated with their workplace • Incorporating workplace policies into the employment agreement • Internet usage and phone use policies in the workplace • Confidentiality in the workplace • Exercising caution around advertising for regulated health services
Key Quotes: • “Employees have to be really careful because they put on their page where they work so automatically there’s a link to their workplace. If they are going to engage in conduct outside of the workplace that might not be representative of their employers’ business or is conduct that the employer wouldn’t permit, that can actually have an impact on their employment.” (9:33)
• “The workplace extends beyond the 4 walls of the pharmacy, and if you’re going to be putting things on social media that would not properly reflect on the employer or damage the employer’s reputation, you really need to have no links to your employer.” (10:51)
• “I would encourage pharmacy owners to have a look at their suite of policies and procedures, decide how important they are to the employment relationship, and if they are really important, consider making those policies and procedures a term of the employment agreement.” (14:00)
• “Confidentiality and privacy is a massive area, and something you really need to think twice about before doing anything, really, and making sure you’ve got procedures…perhaps where your computers automatically lock out after an inactive period, or really training your staff on making sure things are closed down and making sure all these screens aren’t seen by customers to prevent those breaches occurring.” (20:58)
• “A pharmacy is a regulated health service, and there are laws around what you can advertise.” (23:03)
Connect with Scott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ https://aerion.com.au/
Connect with Sarah https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-stoddart-23b92240/ http://vitalitylawaustralia.com/
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott talks with Rob Sztar, Pharmacist and Owner/Partner at Scripts for You pharmacy in Victoria. Rob is also the author of Transpharmation, a book discussing how technology can impact Pharmacy, as well as leading a podcast and digital magazine on the subject as well.
Scott and Rob start off by discussing how some Pharmacists fear using more technology in the workplace. Rob works to explain the many benefits that technology can offer a Pharmacy outside of just the standard e-commerce store, including the ability to do televisits with patients, connecting with shipping agencies who can get prescriptions delivered to patients at home, and scheduling SMS messages to go out to patients for follow-up check-ins. He states that technology can function almost as another team member, being assigned tasks that can expand the Pharmacy’s reach and allow staff to do things they wouldn’t have been capable of before.
Rob talks about some of the particular technology his Pharmacy has implemented that has worked well, including cloud-based monitoring of refrigeration temperatures and an automation robot that has enabled them to spend less time focusing on paperwork and more time interacting directly with clients. He discusses social media as a tool and offers his Pharmacy’s social media strategy, which is to focus on the platforms where their patients have a lot of attention (ie. community Facebook groups).
Connect with Scott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ https://aerion.com.au/
Connect with Rob E: rsztar@pharmactive.com.au Robert Sztar | LinkedIn Scripts for You - Somerville 2.0 Robert Sztar - Transpharmation - Transforming pharmacy through technology Transpharmation | Facebook
Technology mentioned coview - Connect to your customers' browser Z Software Clever Logger Wireless Temperature Logging What is Clubhouse? How to get an invite to new voice chat social media app (news.com.au) Home | HealthScout https://trello.com/
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott and his cohost Anthony Sapountzis from Aerion Technologies talk with Shane Bartle, CEO of Storbie, a software firm specializing in the community pharmacy industry that helps create and manage omnichannel websites for its clients.
Scott and Shane first discuss Storbie’s move to specialization in community pharmacy and how the firm can provide value to pharmacies by helping them to cost-effectively create a quality web presence. Shane explains how the healthcare industry overall, and especially the community pharmacy sector, is especially challenged when it comes to finding omnichannel solutions for their web needs, as their low resources combined with complex supply chains make this process difficult. He then explains how Storbie aims to solve this conflict by creating the integration needed for these pharmacies to move to the web and provide the same value and support to their web services as their physical presence.
Connect with the Storbie team CEO Storbie Shane Bartle | LinkedIn Country Manager Storbie Australia - Andy Benham | LinkedIn General Enquiry hello@storbie.com https://www.storbie.com/au/pharmacy/
Connect with Scott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ https://aerion.com.au/
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott talks with Tim Shelton, a community retail Pharmacist with 25 years of experience in the field. Tim is currently working in e-commerce heading up the agency machete.systems, which takes Australian and New Zealand brands and helps them transition into being represented on Amazon. Scott and Tim tackle the question of whether or not the forced move to e-commerce platforms for pharmacy companies in recent months has been good for them, and discuss both positive and negative ways that different businesses have handled the transition. Tim shares key insights from his experience working with e-commerce platforms to discuss best practices that Pharmacies can adopt to be successful in these spaces. He discusses the customer/seller feedback section on Amazon and how this review platform has made it clear that there are a lot of improvements needed in order to increase customer satisfaction with working with Pharmacies via e-commerce sites. He touches on the importance of Pharmacies garnering a positive social media presence and online reputation, as reviews online can make or break an e-commerce business overnight. Scott and Tim discuss the importance of brand building for Pharmacies and how to use social media as a tool to do this. Tim touches on the value of consistency in representation online in order to keep the brand identity uniform across all platforms. By making people feel connected to the brand and like part of “the tribe” instead of just a number, a Pharmacy can increase the customer’s satisfaction a well as loyalty. They wrap up by touching on the importance of CRM systems and how Pharmacies should be using these systems to capture data and connect more easily with customers. Social Media Clips: • The value of e-commerce customers (4:10-4:27) • Why and how to use case studies to pitch for new business (7:34-8:41) • The importance of focusing efforts on online platforms (15:07-15:27) • Building your brand using social media tools (16:17 -16:42) • The importance of using a CRM to connect with customers (23:54-24:33)
Connect with Scott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ https://aerion.com.au/
Connect with Tim: ● https://www.linkedin.com/in/timatmachetetesystems/ ● https://www.machetesystems.com.au/articles
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott talks with Rachael Runner, national business development manager at Demodeks Meditech. Rachael is a healthcare industry veteran with over 22 years of experience, currently specializing in pharmacy dispensary and robots.
Rachael shares key insights from her years in the industry focusing on the importance of customer service and the pharmacist patient relationship. She discusses how technology can be embraced without losing the personal interactions that drive a successful pharmacy. By capitalizing on the resources and wisdom of those she has interacted with through her career, Rachael provides encouragement key tips for those looking to make improvements in their workplace and find success in their personal careers. By keeping your focus on patient health, you will be able to make advancements that benefit everyone.
Rachael also dives into some common myths. “Automation is not too expensive, and robots do not replace human beings.” She points out the pharmacist and patient relationship is here to stay. Pharmacies can embrace automation to take care of inefficiencies and free up pharmacists to spend their time focused on more complex problems and better patient interactions. Her team at Meditech helps create an efficient dispensary workflow and streamline dispensary operations. By listening carefully to each business she discusses how they are able to identify pain points and design specific solutions to improve workflow. Rachael and Scott wrap up by taking a look into the future and what she expects to change and advance in the years ahead.
Links for Rachael Runner: Rachael Runner | LinkedIn GuildLink - Powering the better use of medicines Meditech - Demodeks | The Leaders In Pharmacy Automation Systems
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott gets the latest on a range of digital technologies from Marta Stybowski, a pharmacist who has consulted widely across the industry. She currently represents the groundbreaking SiSU wellness platform whose stations are popping up in retail, Pharmacy and office spaces offering individuals a secure online portal to measure, track and improve a range of critical health biometrics.
Marta shares the latest in terms of new technologies available to pharmacies looking to streamline workflow, enable team success and offer customers the most seamless possible experience. But just as importantly, she explains what makes the difference between success and failure in the choice and implementation of various platforms. “Technology alone,” she says, “won’t transform your business.” Hear about some of the exciting tech solutions available to optimize your pharmacy, and the very human elements necessary to ensure ultimate success. Clear goals and appropriate tech tools are a start – but it’s communication that guarantees the necessary buy-in among staff and customers.
Marta also unpacks the exciting new SiSU Health Stations that today offer an easy way to stop at the pharmacy to privately test and track important physical and mental health markers. In addition to the four-minute health check, SiSU stations also offer supplemental health and lifestyle. Enjoy this conversation about opportunities to leverage health technology to create the best possible pharmacy operation and the most supportive available customer experience. Each pharmacy has its own specific needs and, with her deep experience on the forefront of health tech implementation, Martha shares with Scott some key factors to consider when charting the best path forward for your particular demographic, workflow and team.
Key Quotes: • “There is still a huge potential to improve the way pharmacies operate, particularly when we’re talking about patient experiences and providing professional services.” (3:28) • “A lot of moving parts need to align to make a pharmacy work efficiently and effectively.” (4:58) • “Technology alone won’t solve the problems and it won’t transform your business.”(6:22) • “If you’re implementing technology to improve the business, make sure the customers understand that you’re doing it because you’re invested in providing them with a better service or experience.” (7:32) • “Do your homework. Understand what value that piece of tech is going to bring into your business. Does it fit your strategy and is it going to help you achieve the goals you want?” (11:38) • “Understanding by the team helps bridge acceptance … implementation and integration of the technology in their day-to-day work and then the excitement they share.” (13:14) • “Technology alone won’t solve your problems or transform your business, but technology as a tool to support a strategy and engage a team can deliver exceptional experiences to your customer.” (14:16) • “(SiSU wellness) is in general to improve health literacy and allow people to understand where their health is at and what they can do to improve it.” (17:03) • “There is a lot of emphasis in the business that the data is secure and the patient owns the data” (20:42)
Links for Marta Stybowski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-stybowski-2b4ab558/ https://www.pharmacium.com.au/ https://www.sisuwellness.com.au/
Pharmacy View Sponsors/Contacts: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ https://aerion.com.au/
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, Scott talks with Propell Health CEO and founder Craig Simmonds to talk all things iHealth and using technology to improve the patient experience from the doctor’s office to the pharmacy. Given the prevalence of iHealth and the benefits of using technology to remotely-monitor patients, it may be surprising that Craig didn’t start out in the healthcare industry. Instead, this serial entrepreneur began his career in product development, specifically in the shoe industry, before transitioning to iHealth and founding Propell in 2015.
Since its inception, Propell has worked with iHealth to make monitoring chronic disease easier, simpler, and more enjoyable for patients, no matter their age or familiarity with technology. Throughout their conversation, Craig emphasized the benefits using technology in healthcare provides, especially in a time when a global pandemic makes remote monitoring not only convenient, but at times the only safe option. In the years since 2015, iHealth has developed and achieved TGA approval for a number of wireless products, many the first of their kind, including blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, glucose monitors, and body analysis scales. Craig and his team are developing new products all the time, working to get them into the primary health network industry and into the hands of the patients and pharmacists who need them most.
Topics Covered: ● Craig’s background in the pharmacy and shoe industries. ● The evolution of iHealth and the importance of using technology. ● How to share your trends with your pharmacist through iHealth. ● Using iHealth to do remote vitals monitoring, especially with COVID-19. ● The importance of self-monitoring and how to use iHealth to do that. ● Getting iHealth into the primary health network industry. ● Getting TGA approval for iHealth. ● Available iHealth products and where pharmacists can get them.
Key Quotes:
● “I could see that iHealth was solving that problem because the power’s actually going to the patient or the customer and they could have all their readings on their phone, with them at all times. And that’s what iHealth was able to do.” (7:42) ● “We want to stop people going to hospital. That’s the number one focus hospitals want.” (13:16) ● “There’s a lot of rubbish products in the market, and I see them in pharmacy. I want to make sure that when I’m helping a patient—which is what my goal is—they have got a device that is TGA-approved, that’s clinically validated, and that’s accurate.” (19:56) ● “For pharmacies, digital health is an enormous opportunity. And that’s why I say to every pharmacy, ‘look at your chronic disease monitoring and ask how can I help my patient better?’” (25:52)
Social Media Clips:
● Craig’s first experience with iHealth and the realization that it was a game-changer in the pharmacy industry (4:49-5:35) ● Sharing your health trends with your pharmacist using iHealth (8:51-9:28) ● Moving patients from using iHealth to remote-monitor to using the devices to self-monitor (18:11-19:10) ● Using iHealth to help pharmacists battle chronic disease in their patients. (22:20-22:44) ● Using digital devices in pharmacies to reach your consumers. (23:16-23:47)
Contact Craig Simmonds: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-simmonds-53167014/ Website: https://www.propellhealth.com.au/
Pharmacy View Sponsors/Contacts: Website contact: www.pharmacyview.com.au Scott Carpenter: www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc Shopfront Solutions: https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au Aerion Technologies: https://aerion.com.au
In this episode of Pharmacy View – technology in Pharmacy podcast series, Scott invites Richard Lennon to share some of the technology best practices he has implemented at Davey Street Discount Pharmacy, the independent Pharmacy he co-founded in Hobart, Tasmania. He calls his homegrown strategy “Automagic,” a term he coined to describe a variety of platforms that make his pharmacies’ daily operations smoother and easier across the board -- from doctors’ offices, Aged Care facilities, customers and his own staff.
Richard and the rest of the team at Davey Street pharmacies view themselves as integral to their customers’ community fabric, dispensing not only medicine but also value, convenience and advice. Technology plays a key role in accomplishing that core mission. There are a range of “automagic” solutions to streamline operations and free up pharmacy staff both in the back office and out where it counts most, with their customers. ● “(Automagic tech) is just a great way of organizing and making the whole process more efficient.” (8:43) ● “Obviously you’ve got to be careful with security and that element of things.” (10:45) ● “One of the issues and concerns I always had as a small, independent pharmacy was, ‘How do you manage the stock on-hand across two databases?” (15:30) ● “For us our website was originally about an extension of our brand ... but it had no eCommerce element to it. It was really just information-based.” (16:12) ● “eCommerce in general is about complementing the bricks and mortar pharmacy and those personal relationships that are still very critical.” (25:04) ● “If you don’t have that online presence you’re just going to be missed off the radar.” (25:29) ● “It’s a massive change in workflow for pharmacies going from prescription paper in a basket to digital queues.” (34:50) Further Resources: Zapier website: www.zapier.com IFTTT website: www.ifttt.com Storbie website: https://www.storbie.com/au/pharmacy Deputy: www.deputy.com/au eScript: https://www.escript.ie/pharmacy-info/
Contact Richard Lennon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-lennon-94a82b88/ Website: https://www.dsdp.com.au
Pharmacy View Sponsors/Contacts: Website contact: www.pharmacyview.com.au Scott Carpenter: www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc Shopfront Solutions: https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au Aerion Technologies: https://aerion.com.au
In this episode of Pharmacy View, Scott talks with Andrew Romeo from Aerion Technologies. Andrew and his business partner Anthony Sapountzis started Aerion Technologies about twelve years ago right after they finished university. In these early days they were introduced into Pharmacy through a Brand marketing group and the work that came from this connection is what grew into today’s digital marketing Shopfront Solution, a full web-based platform and an improvement of digital business supporting over 1,500 Australian pharmacies.
The technology and web-based platform Shopfront Solutions allows pharmacies to print the tickets they specifically need in order to highlight sale items or run local promotions. This affords more flexibility than the general bundled marketing materials that are often sent out by the Head Office support teams. This platform also allows the Pharmacy to add its individual logo and personalize it to the specific Pharmacy. Andrew shares that because of technology’s evolving nature, they have had to tweak the platform several times since it’s development, until they finally arrived at the web-based platform it is now.
Each of the developments in the product have come from work done with Pharmacies and group head office teams. When working with Chempro, Andrew and Anthony helped develop the integration databases and the app. The customization of marketing materials is a result of working with Pharmacy Alliance. One of the important things Andrew points out is the value of being on a shared data base, as this allows different stores within a company to communicate much more effectively.
In regard to customizable marketing materials, this has incredible value for pharmacies. In regard to appearance, the customization allows pharmacies to include their Pharmacy specific logo and branding, as well as print as many or as few tickets as they need. It also ensures a Pharmacy’s success in onboarding new items and bringing attention to certain items. One drawback to all of the printing materials, is the massive use of paper and to offset this, Shopfront Solutions contributes towards planting of new trees. In regard to using less paper and increasing the customization of marketing, one thing in the near future for pharmacies is electronic shelf labels. These will allow pharmacies to display the price without using paper labels, as well as to instantly change the prices of certain items electronically. Overall, Andrew and Shopfront Solutions team are striving to evolve with technology, and their customers, in order to better their product, and therefore, the marketing and business aspect of each client Pharmacy.
Key Quotes:
● “The platform gives you that ability to go on, print some tickets that you might need, if you want to put something on sale yourself, and bring attention to that product. So, it is effectively actioned at the Pharmacy level.” (4:02) ● “If you’re not ticketing correctly, you’re missing customer buying opportunities.” (6:10) ● “As you build technology, it’s always evolving and changing.” (9:30) ● “Consumers expect things quickly these days.” (18:32) ● “You’ll have the ability to manage the content that gets distributed to your Facebook and Instagram, and tweak that.” (24:04)
Social Media Clips:
● (3:45-6:20) Printing Pharmacy specific marketing materials ● (6:41-9:45) Challenges with the platform ● (10:03-11:10) The starting point and evolution of Shopfront Solutions ● (14:55-19:05) The expansion of customizable tickets and other materials ● (19:23-20:18) The offsetting of printing material use ● (24:57-28:43) Electronic shelf labels and their marketing ability
Connect with Andrew:
● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adromeo/ ● Website: https://shopfrontsolutions.com.au/ https://aerion.com.au
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, our guests are Liz Bryant and Frank Triulcio from Crosier Architects. During the episode, they discuss challenges that retail architects face when trying to outfit pharmacy spaces, current trends in the field, and technology looking forward.
Diving right in, they talk about some of the challenges that retail architects face while making the most of the limited real estate pharmacies typically work with. To combat this, architects and designers are considering how to bring some of the most cutting-edge technology to the pharmacy experience. They are even considering doing away with the typical wall-to-wall counter with “scripts in” and “scripts out” areas in favor of something more segmented, like pods that service customers in different parts of the pharmacy.
Most interestingly is the advent of robotics and 3D modeling in the world of pharmacy design. Liz and Frank think that programs that allow architects to render spaces in 3D are pushing them to think outside the box as far as the way pharmacies actually function. They are encouraging pharmacists and retailers to be bold when thinking about refitting their pharmacy space, because as technologies like the ATM teller pharmacy become more regulated and enter the market, it may become possible for pharmacy design to completely change in the near future. They believe this coupled with more user-friendly designs will solve a lot of the spatial issues that pharmacies currently face. They are most excited about the power of 3D-modeling to literally change the face of the storefront and the experience as a whole.
Topics Covered:
● Scrutinizing problems during the construction phase. ● Integration of robotics in the dispensary. ● Dispense-Pods. ● Maximizing retail area in the pharmacy with technology. ● Moving away from having a big storage area. ● Large Shopping Centre management now want technology in the shop fronts. ● The move to the ATM-style dispensary machine. ● 3D modeling technology and how it’s used in design. ● Designing for the future. ● The introduction of Crosier Scott Complete.
Key Quotes (Time Stamps):
● “We do a lot of investigations with our clients.” (6:45) ● “Pharmacies are often at the forefront of the use of technology.” (8:45) ● “We are focusing less on the scripts in and more on the scripts out.” (10:35) ● “We’re not looking at having one big, long service counter anymore.” (12:15) ● “People are still using Webster packing areas, but I see change coming.” (17:00)
Social Media Clips: ● Challenges that technology has brought to designing pharmacies now. (10:00 – 12:00) ● ATM-style pharmacy design. (20:10 – 22:00) ● Design programs in use now. (22:45 – 24:55) ● Considerations for the pharmacists or businesses wanting to refit. (26:30 – 27:10)
Connect with Liz and Frank: ● Frank’s LinkedIn ● Liz’s LinkedIn ● Crosier Scott Architects (croscott.com.au) ● Crosier Scott Complete (croscott.com.au)
Connect with Scott and Shopfront Solutions: ● (1) Scott Carpenter, EVBC | LinkedIn ● Pharmacy View ● Shopfront Solutions ● Home - Aerion Technologies
In this episode of Pharmacy View, Scott Carpenter welcomes Aaron D’Souza, Pharmacist and Head of eSolutions at GuildLink, to discuss how pharmacies should be approaching digital prescribing and the steps they can take to increase their digital strength, noting the benefits of Google My Business and creating an engaging website and app.
In this episode we talk with Sarah Stoddart from Vitality Law Australia about equipping small business owners in the health care industry by providing legal knowledge and education.
In this episode of Pharmacy View, Scott Carpenter and Anthony Sapountzis welcome Richard Manthey, Head of Data and Information Solutions at Pharmacy Platform. They discuss the topic of hospitals and medical facilities being hacked and having their medical data stolen and how that relates to the security of Pharmacies and their data.
We address these pressing questions: Am I at a lower risk of being hacked than a known brand, business or entity with medical records?
Should Pharmacies be concerned about suppliers extracting their data?
What should Pharmacies be doing to protect their system and data access points?
…and many more!
“The security of your password is going to be the weakest link across everything.”
The trio discuss the importance of safely managing passwords and access from third-party platforms, as well as the difference in risk between a few various scenarios, such as email and methods of hacking. Tune in to learn what to do when you think your cyber security has been compromised and how to make sure your security measures are effective.
“Keep an eye on all of your systems, on your staff, and on your processes and protocols and just make sure things are up to date.”
Episode Timeline 00:00 Intro 00:24 Introducing today’s guest and co-host: Richard Manthey & Anthony Sapountzis 02:14 The relation between Pharmacy and the recent hacking of medical facilities’ data 04:20 Risk factors Pharmacies should be looking at, including poor quality passwords 06:03 Safely managing passwords for your accounts 06:54 Solutions for Pharmacies in cleaning up data access points 09:51 The difference in risk between physically intruding the Pharmacy or hacking from afar 11:27 Difference in security in a Gmail vs. a system provider email – Security and lack thereof in emails 14:55 Third-party platform accesses: Shopfront Solutions 17:01 Maintaining security when suppliers extract data 18:43 Is it okay if a supplier or third-party has been given approval to access data through the POS dispensary platform? 20:48 Takeaways: What Pharmacies should investigate to make sure their security measures are effective 21:43 Where to go to seek help and what to do if you think you’ve been attacked or hacked
To learn more about the hosts and our guest Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richard-manthey Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scottcarpenter-evbc Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-sapountzis
Resources Mentioned Aerion: www.aerion.com.au/2019/07/19/top-6-easiest-ways-to-digitize-your-processes OnePassword: www.1password.com Lastpass: http://bit.ly/2Z97V1f or www.lastpass.com Shopfront Solutions: www.shopfrontsolutions.com.au
In this episode of Pharmacy View we talk with Pharmacist Roger Kluth originally from the UK where he worked for Boots the Chemists for approximately twenty years. Moving to Australia 15 years ago, Roger has worked for Pharmacy groups and brands including McKerrell Pharmacies QLD, Terry White Chemists, Sigma Pharmaceuticals, API Soul Pattinson & Pharmacist Advice and is currently with the Healthyworld Pharmacy Group in a professional services management role.
Assisting in the of roll out of e-scripts for the Healthyworld Pharmacy Group, Roger provided coaching to pharmacists on how to prepare for and use the new technology. Roger shares that it was critical to make sure all the Pharmacy computers and servers had the current software updates and the appropriate hardware needed, including specific types of scanners. At this time, only a few stores have begun accepting e-scripts where most of the patients are aged between thirty and fifty however more demographics are beginning to accept and use the new technology. For anyone wanting to make the transition, Roger recommends starting now, as the process is very time consuming. He also gives the encouragement that there are a lot of online training programs that can walk you through the process and dispense software providers can also be helpful.
Something Roger has found exciting of late is use in Pharmacy of digital or electronic shelf ticketing. This allows changing prices to be a smoother process, which can allow pharmacies to be more effective in their pricing strategies. Roger is also encouraged by the ability to take and order stock via a smartphone or PDE machine. He acknowledges that both of these will be helpful in the productivity and efficiency of pharmacies. He is curious to see if scan your own product technology ever finds its way into pharmacy, as it has in grocery. Overall, he is hopeful that because of the pandemic, and pharmacy’s being pushed into accepting and implementing new technology, that there will be more of an openness to technology in pharmacy moving forward.
Topics Covered:
● Challenges experienced while rolling out e-scripts ● Patients’ receptiveness to e-scripts ● Use of The Pharmacy Guild App ● Doctors eagerness to use e-scripts ● Beginning the process of using e-scripts ● Electric ticketing
Key Quotes (Time Stamps):
● “We’re seeing an uptake in using [The Guild App] rather than using the traditional SMS reminders we’ve been using up until this point.” (5:40) ● “Certainly, the app is the way to go because that will be the platform that will be able to interact very well with e-scripts.” (5:52) ● “Start now, definitely, because it is quite time consuming.” (6:58) ● “Something I’ve been particularly excited about is electronic ticketing that I’ve seen in a few pharmacies recently.” (8:58) ● Being able to stock take, stock manage, order, essentially from a phone or a PDE machine is certainly a way forward.” (11:29) ● “I think there will be more of a desire to try new technology sooner, than perhaps there has been, in what essentially is a very conservative profession.” (13:52) ● “I think it’s really important for us, as a profession, to be able to have that face to face contact from a consultation perspective.” (15:10)
Connect with Roger:
● LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/rogerkluth ● Phone: 0413-178-404 ● Email: rogerkluth@hotmail.com
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, our guest is Pharmacist Joe Zhou, founder of myMedKit, prescription medication delivery app. MyMedKit seeks to make it easier for customers to obtain their prescriptions while driving their loyalty to a particular pharmacy. This works by ignoring the discount model that most pharmacies use and encourage the customer through convenience and quality service.
Joe shares his insights into the world of pharmacy and why he saw the need for myMedKit in the first place. Recognizing that most customers had no interest in their pharmacy, but only wanted to get their prescriptions on time, Joe saw an opportunity to increase the customer base and profit line for pharmacies. myMedKit keeps the same customers coming back because of the ease of access, which in turn generates more business for each pharmacy than they would have otherwise.
He recognizes that anything that will save people time and offer them the convenience factor will almost always win out. Providing this service at your pharmacy drives loyalty and sales. Joe does warn that it must make commercial sense to the pharmacy. In the future, Joe sees this model operating at all pharmacies. Why would you not want your prescriptions brought to your door?
Topics Covered:
● myMedKit as a solution to driving pharmacy customer loyalty. ● How to generate loyalty with your existing customers. ● Where myMedKit’s offices are located. ● How myMedKit works with pharmacies to deliver medications. ● You need foot traffic or your business model fails. ● Customers don’t pay that much attention to the business model.
Key Quotes:
● “There are a lot of people on only one medication—how do you make them loyal to your pharmacy?” (3:30) ● “Ultimately the goal is to sell more scripts.” (5:50) ● “At the end of the day, it’s all about the patient.” (10:01) ● “When you have a business model built on discounting, you don’t build loyalty.” (11:20) ● “This needs to make commercial sense to the pharmacy.” (16:15) ● “Anything that helps people save time is a winner.” (18:20) ● “We are working with pharmacies that we know we can add value to.” (24:45) ● “I feel for the little guy, I really do.” (25:40)
Connect with Joe: ● https://mymedkit.com.au/ ● https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-zhou-85674056/ ● Email joe@pockethealth.co
In this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast our guest is Roger Simpson from The Retail Solution. Roger joins us to discuss customer service training in a socially distanced environment and with many years’ experience in training focuses on the people leadership aspect of retail. When it comes to leading and training a team, Roger has a process he walks each client through. First, the team needs to know the business expectations and know what great customer service looks like, then the team receives customised training utilizing an appointed onsite leader to enable them to deliver to the agreed level. Next it is important for the leadership team to lead by example ongoing and finally it is critical to evaluate performance and give feedback. As a result of current travel limitations, Roger is now able to use technology to train teams using a collection of videos, webinars and video conference following up with his contact person on each team. Another way Roger has seen an increased importance of Customer service and technology in pharmacy is the need for a quality online e-commerce platform. In order to keep up, every retailer including pharmacy, needs to have a navigable website, ways to ask questions and convenient checkout and payment options. Roger anticipates much change in pharmacy over the next few years as technology improves and provides the option for getting prescriptions filled online coupled with efficient methods of delivery.
Topics Covered: ● The importance of great customer service ● The progression of technology in pharmacy ● The need for a good online presence ● The value of quality customer service ● The potential future of pharmacy and technology
Key Quotes: ● “I really hone in on the people side, because I believe that’s where any retailer, and also pharmacy in particular, can make a massive difference with their customers.” (3:17) ● “It’s about trying to get their leadership team on the same page about what they actually want to be known for, for their particular pharmacy, because you’ve got to stand out for something, otherwise you stand for nothing.” (5:17) ● “Whatever task they're doing, they need to know what the expectations are, or what does good/what does great, actually look like?” (6:48) ● “Every retailer, this includes pharmacy, has to have a really good online presence.” (14:15) ● “The focus is not about trying to sell them the extra product. That’s a bonus. The conversation is about informing the customer.” (18:37)
On this episode of the Pharmacy View podcast, our guest is Tim Shelton, Pharmacist and CEO of Machete Systems. Tim is an expert in retail and shares his knowledge of making the transition from brick-and-mortar to online and e-commerce. Working with the Amazon platform, Tim explains how Amazon really is one of the better ways to get your business started in the ecommerce space. Because they own more than half of all of the ecommerce in America, they have really locked in the online business world. And for the young and aspiring, Tim recommends using Amazon’s FBA instead of developing all the logistics yourself. He explains how it can turn a great idea into a booming business with their access to the shipping and marketing you need. Tim also spends a good deal discussing marketing for the traditional pharmacist, showing a new world of marketing ideas for the pharmacist who wants to capitalize on the economy of the internet.
Topics Covered: ● Pharmacies and the spread of e-commerce. ● 1p v 3p commerce models. ● Traditional and electronic consumer real estate. ● Amazon’s influence on the value of brands. ● How to drive traffic to your e-commerce site. ● A lot of pharmacy chains struggle to get a lot out of moving to the digital marketplace. ● Using consumer data to drive more sales in the retail space. ● How Amazon’s third party selling (FBA) works, and how it drives the algorithm. ● You need access to great product at a great price. ● Start with the traffic and find where the markets are. ● Focus your product page.
Key Quotes: ● “Amazon is half the e-commerce market in America.” ● “If you start up your e-com store on Amazon, the traffic’s already there.” (8:20) ● “Think of an iPhone vs a digital SLR camera [for 1p v 3p].” (12:45) ● “Without traffic, any idea you have on the internet is dead.” (14:20) ● “Anyone who owns their own brand is a great partner for us.” (17:50) ● “People have just become used to the digital convenience factor.” (19:05) ● “They want to know what the customer is thinking — and Amazon knows.” (25:55) ● “Do you want to develop your own brand or do you just want to be wholesale?” (30:40)
In this episode of Pharmacy View - Technology in Pharmacy Business podcast series our guest is Priceline Pharmacy Manager David Washbourne from Croydon Central Shopping Centre in the outer north east suburbs of Melbourne. David joined us to discuss the recent implementation of e-scripts in their Pharmacy which he found to be relatively smooth due to the detailed FRED & Priceline preparation process. While there have been some customers over 45 presenting e-scripts, they are noticing that most of the customers are in the 23-45 age bracket. David explains that the only challenges so far have been with the willingness of healthcare providers to adopt this new process and implement the use of e-scripts with their willing patients. He does believe however that e-scripts will become the norm in the next few years which will allow for pharmacies and Doctors to reduce their use of paper as well as maintain contactless processes even after COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.
Topics Covered: ● Dispensary programs that David has used during his career ● E-scripts program adoption ● The demographics of customers using e-scripts ● David’s perspective on the future of e-scripts ● Challenges faced when working with healthcare providers including Aged Care
Key Quotes: ● “It’s a very streamlined process. Essentially the customer or patient comes in with their script on their smartphone and the QR code is scanned into our system, placed into the queue and then dispensed as per a normal script.” (6:50) ● “We’ve found that the younger customers have gone in when they see their GP and asked for an e-script.” (10:08) ● “I think that over time e-prescriptions will very much become the norm.” (13:32) ● “The e-prescription is just another form of getting the script request…rather than physically producing a piece of paper.” (15:21) ● “The key thing is to have the staff pretty much used to the fact that e-scripts are now just a different way of presenting a prescription.” (16:36)
Connect with David:
https://www.priceline.com.au/croydoncentral
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-washbourne-40170588/