Month: July 2022

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Feature Pharmacy: Childers Community Pharmacy
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Feature Pharmacy: Childers Community Pharmacy

Every month we will be featuring a pharmacy in our Alliance Link. This month we want to highlight Fiona, Pharmacist at Childers Community Pharmacy. 

How long have you been a pharmacist?

I registered as a pharmacist at the end of 2000, which means almost 22 years. My career has mostly been in Hospital and Oncology, with only 2 years in community pharmacy as an Australian registered pharmacist. I spent a few years as a community pharmacist in South Africa before emigrating to Australia in 2004. 

What made you want to pursue a career in pharmacy?

The honest answer is that I didn’t know what I’d like to study. My father pointed out that pharmacy would be a great choice for me as I always loved taking care of family members’ ailments and my love for chemistry at school. So much so that I completed my initial First Aid qualification using an oral exam as a 5-year-old! 

How long have you been working at the Childers Community Pharmacy?

I will celebrate my one-year anniversary with the team in July. 

What has been your proudest moment to date while working at Childers Community Pharmacy?

I have to say that it was the day we reached our 1000th Covid-19 vaccination a few months ago. An achievement for a single pharmacist site that can only be reached with an awesome team behind you! 

How are you preparing your pharmacy & pharmacy team for the Cold & Cough season?

Ensure that the team’s knowledge with regards to OTC and pharmacist’s own cold and cough treatments are up to date. Recommending front-of-shop merchandising ie complementary and supportive care that can be recommended during the cold and cough season. And most importantly, ensuring the team all have the opportunity to have their Flu vaccinations.

 

What do you see some of the benefits are of being a part of Pharmacy Alliance?

The accessibility to a network of knowledge has been fantastic. In the Wide Bay Area, we have also been fortunate to help each other out during Covid staff shortages. Lastly, having a PBM to support business functions is a major benefit.

 

What is your biggest customer service tip?

Always be willing to go the extra mile, stay patient, and put on your smile. Yes, smile even with a mask on, your eyes will show it!

 

What do you think your point of difference is as a pharmacy in the Childers community?

We are in a prime position located next to the Woolworths in Childers. All our employees are locals with some of them having been there since the pharmacy opened. Customers love to be greeted by name plus we offer free deliveries.

 

Reflecting over the last 2 years of COVID-19 challenges – what has been the biggest opportunity?

The ability of pharmacies to deliver Covid-19 vaccinations, and more recent supervised RATs, especially in regional areas where customers can either not travel to the next town or have to wait 2-3 weeks to see the doctor.

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Feature Pharmacy: Hilary’s Community Pharmacy
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Feature Pharmacy: Hilary’s Community Pharmacy

Every month we will be featuring a pharmacy in our Alliance Link. This month we want to highlight Fiona, Pharmacist at Childers Community Pharmacy. 

How long have you been a pharmacist?

I registered as a pharmacist at the end of 2000, which means almost 22 years. My career has mostly been in Hospital and Oncology, with only 2 years in community pharmacy as an Australian registered pharmacist. I spent a few years as a community pharmacist in South Africa before emigrating to Australia in 2004. 

 

What made you want to pursue a career in pharmacy?

The honest answer is that I didn’t know what I’d like to study. My father pointed out that pharmacy would be a great choice for me as I always loved taking care of family members’ ailments and my love for chemistry at school. So much so that I completed my initial First Aid qualification using an oral exam as a 5-year-old! 

 

How long have you been working at the Childers Community Pharmacy?

I will celebrate my one-year anniversary with the team in July. 

 

What has been your proudest moment to date while working at Childers Community Pharmacy?

I have to say that it was the day we reached our 1000th Covid-19 vaccination a few months ago. An achievement for a single pharmacist site that can only be reached with an awesome team behind you! 

How are you preparing your pharmacy & pharmacy team for the Cold & Cough season?

Ensure that the team’s knowledge with regards to OTC and pharmacist’s own cold and cough treatments are up to date. Recommending front-of-shop merchandising ie complementary and supportive care that can be recommended during the cold and cough season. And most importantly, ensuring the team all have the opportunity to have their Flu vaccinations.

 

What do you see some of the benefits are of being a part of Pharmacy Alliance?

The accessibility to a network of knowledge has been fantastic. In the Wide Bay Area, we have also been fortunate to help each other out during Covid staff shortages. Lastly, having a PBM to support business functions is a major benefit.

 

What is your biggest customer service tip?

Always be willing to go the extra mile, stay patient, and put on your smile. Yes, smile even with a mask on, your eyes will show it!

 

What do you think your point of difference is as a pharmacy in the Childers community?

We are in a prime position located next to the Woolworths in Childers. All our employees are locals with some of them having been there since the pharmacy opened. Customers love to be greeted by name plus we offer free deliveries.

 

Reflecting over the last 2 years of COVID-19 challenges – what has been the biggest opportunity?

The ability of pharmacies to deliver Covid-19 vaccinations, and more recent supervised RATs, especially in regional areas where customers can either not travel to the next town or have to wait 2-3 weeks to see the doctor.

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8-week advice program to help people live better with diabetes
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8-week advice program to help people live better with diabetes

In line with Diabetes Awareness week (10-16 July), We’re delighted to have launched the Alliance Pharmacy Healthcare Heroes Live Well with Diabetes program.

 

With 65 thousand Australians diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last year, a 5% increase from the previous year, This program will help support independent pharmacies to grow as it is designed to provide customers with advice on how to manage through consultation with their pharmacist.

 

Diabetes in Australia is one of the most serious and costly health conditions with over 1.4 million Australians suffering from diabetes, and of that 1.2 million are suffering from type 2 diabetes.

 

Nimfa Martinez, Chief Marketing Officer at Pharmacy Alliance says “off the back of the increasing numbers of diabetes in Australia it’s our role as community pharmacies to support and provide healthcare to create healthier communities. That’s why over the month of July & August we will be running an 8-week program to support anyone living with Diabetes.”

 

In partnership with Arrotex, AFT Pharmaceuticals, and GlucoseZone, a lifestyle and fitness app, Pharmacy Alliance have launched Alliance Pharmacy Healthcare Heroes Live Well with Diabetes to support those suffering from Diabetes. A key component of the program is the free Diabetes advice booklet, available at participating Healthcare Hero pharmacies, which includes everything customers need to live better, including advice on blood glucose monitoring, tips on managing diabetes, eating & lifestyle plans and healthy recipes as well as recommended products to support Diabetes.

 

Fady Beshay, Lakes Esplanade Pharmacy Owner/Working Partner, and one of the participating Alliance Pharmacy Healthcare Heroes is thrilled to be able to provide these services to his local community.

 

“Patients are invited to set health goals with the pharmacist based on weight management and blood glucose control and patients will receive a free booklet and three consultations across the 8-week period with the pharmacist to discuss the progress of their goals.”

 

“The initial consultation includes base measurements of waist circumference and current blood glucose level test. Patients will receive the lifestyle booklet and free access coupon to the Glucosezone app to have their very own personal trainer, and diet support from their mobile phone. And the best part is that we offer this service for free.”

 

“It’s very rewarding when you get to provide a free health service to your patients that really can make a big difference in their wellbeing and lifestyle to help create healthier communities. Being a health destination pharmacy has helped our pharmacy build customers for life”.

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NAIDOC WEEK
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NAIDOC WEEK

This years theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! 

 

At Pharmacy Alliance, we want to amplify the voices of our aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people during NAIDOC week and beyond it. 

 

NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At Pharmacy Alliance, we’re proud to work with a diverse network of members that break stereotypes and barriers each day.

 

This NAIDOC Week- Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up and fight for awareness, acceptance, and change!

 

Pharmacy Alliance members share their own experiences as First Nations people.

“I am very proud to be a Wiradjuri woman, and I am very proud of my success in being a pharmacist, my older relations have spoken about the past and how things are different now, I was brought up with very little in life, but always had my family around me. I live on the local Nanima Village out of town, which is one of the oldest missionary settlements in Australia. As I was isolated from town I didn’t see much problems that others faced, even just 20 years ago, but I am happy that the change continues for First Nations people. The Wellington community celebrated my determination to better myself to become a pharmacist. ”

 

Pharmacist, Sofoni West from Keirle’s Pharmacy in Wellington NSW

“I am very proud of my heritage, my mob is Wiradjuri which is local to the Wellington area and is recognized as one of the largest mobs in Australia my grandmothers have filled me with many stories of their time and treatment that they suffered but are happy that things have changed for me, Wellington NSW celebrates NAIDOC WEEK, given our large indigenous population. I am very happy with the recognition that first peoples now have, and it was fantastic to hear that the Aboriginal flag is flying on the Harbour Bridge.”

 

Pharmacy Assistant, Alyssa Smith from Wellington Pharmacy

“I am happy that I can recognize opportunities as a  first nation person by blood, that my forebears did not. My grandparents and their grandparents, struggled with their identity due to the cultural chasm they experienced. i am happy that there is now far more recognition and acceptance of my culture and heritage, i am feel a great sense of  honour to represent my mob being the Dharug clan.”

 

Pharmacy Manager, Olivia Lavender from Goodlife Pharmacy South Windsor NSW

“My Nan is an Aboriginal Elder and her name is Violet Lousick and she has shared many experiences with me, but I need to learn more about my heritage. A relative of Nan’s was unfortunately one of the Stolen Generation, due to her lighter skin colour, she was targeted, which still haunts her today. Nan is so happy that I received an education, that she could not, or even think about back then. My dad and Uncle had to leave school early to work to support their family, and I am so glad of the education opportunities that I can take up. My two kids are 18 and 15, and my son is very proud to play footy wearing the Wiradjuri jersey, representing his heritage, and he is even prouder to play for NSW Indigenous basketball. Recognition is better today, but still has a way to go, Nan says!  I cannot forget my daughter who has trained in aboriginal dance and studies at school to further her knowledge of her family ties.”

 

Dispensary Assistant, Kristy Conn from Wellington Pharmacy

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