Pharmacy View Podcast

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.

Ep 75 Chantelle Marissa by Pharmacy View Podcast

EP 74 The Most Important of the 4Ps is Purpose by Pharmacy View Podcast

In the first 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 Elise Apolloni, Pharmacist and Co-Owner, Capital Chemist Wanniassa. Elise was also the Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year in 2017. Listen to this episode if you want to understand what it means to be the Owner of a Community Pharmacy as someone who wants to impact the physical and mental health of the community positively and also to understand how empathic care and awareness are vital in realizing that dream. Elise started their Pharmacy journey at the age of 14 when nudged in the direction by their Career Counselor; they begrudgingly went and worked for a week at their local Capital Chemist. The rest as they say is history as this year Elise completes 20 years of working in the Capital Chemist Group. Elise talks about how they always wanted to own a Community Pharmacy because they found it to be a lovely and respectful way to spend their time while also making a real difference in the lives of community people. When asked about taking up a leadership role in Pharmacy, Elise emphasizes how they remember watching a former colleague owning a Pharmacy and that position allowing them to create an environment where people would want to work. At that point in time, Elise imagined owning a Pharmacy one day and creating an environment or an ecosystem that Pharmacists would love going into and that community people would like coming into as well. Also, they add how being an owner allows you to implement things the way you want them done. Furthering on the leadership role at the Pharmacy, Elise talks about being aware of the enormous responsibility they shoulder when it comes to early career Pharmacists and Pharmacy interns. These people entrust the most critical year of their Pharmacy career to the mentor, so Elise doesn’t take this lightly. Elise then talks about how Community Pharmacies are places people often visit on their worst day. Emphatic care and awareness are important for Pharmacists and patients that walk into the Pharmacy. To Elise, healthcare services are more than just treating health ailments. They are also about being able to provide preventive services. Having had lost a 16-year-old colleague to suicide in 2015, Elise’s passion for mental health only intensified. Because being a Pharmacist is primarily about working with people who are often on their worst day or worst month, Elise wants to bring a smile to the faces of those having a tough time. They talk about how being able to look outward can come in handy in this regard. Supporting young Pharmacists to realize their full potential to help positively impact people’s lives stands at the core of Elise’s work. They want to do all they can and believe that trusting young entrants to the team and delegating responsibilities to them, provided they are given the right training and skill, can make the much-needed impact in bettering community health. And their favorite tool—empathy, of course! Empathy for the patients and empathy for the staff is needed. Only by seeing their real needs can the right help and service be given. Disclaimer: This episode discusses suicide, and listener discretion is advised. Seek professional help if you or someone you know is in distress.

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 Discounters ii. The decline in wanting to take Pharmacy Ownership because of perceived barriers iii. Push for more flexible hours for Pharmacists iv. Shift from supply-based model to professional services v. More Pharmacies are joining groups to get better support in running their business vi. Rise of the digital age Even 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 Vabu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollis_v_Vabu ii. CFMMEU v Personnel Contracting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFMMEU_v_Personnel_Contracting iii. 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 shortages ii. 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 solution 2. Say yes and back yourself 3. Surround yourself with people who are more intelligent than you and who complement your skills 4. 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 problems 2. Working with different mentors 3. Being supported by the wider community 4. Finding and working with the right people Answering the same question, Craig credits the success to 1. People 2. Purpose 3. Process Talking 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 says 1. Be tenacious and disciplined 2. Be creative and open-minded 3. Always stay humble Answering the same question, Craig adds: 1. Age should not be a barrier, on either extreme 2. Be passionate about whatever you do 3. Surround yourself with the right people 4. 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-minded Being 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 mad Kevin 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 mentor Kevin 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 yourself 2. Celebrate your wins And here’s what Kevin has for those looking to become Pharmacists after their year of internship: 1. Be kind to yourself 2. Give yourself time to settle into your new environment 3. Get to know your colleagues 4. Develop and follow a training plan 5. Build a good support network 6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help 7. Seek feedback 8. 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 Pharmacist Backed 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 website To 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 Business In 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 • Growth And 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 follow Chantelle 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 • Authenticity Chantelle’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 owner Sarah 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 Pharmacy A Pharmacy owner who needs help with succession planning Lisa 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 24*7*365 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: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 2. 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.