CAPITAL Chemist said the theme for today's International Women's Day 2024: 'Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress', has been its unofficial mantra for decades, with its female pharmacists driving innovation and success.
The award-winning Canberra-based group's CEO, Andrew Topp, looked back on its 25-year history explaining how there was "never any edict or decree for preferential treatment" towards female pharmacists as their growth just happened organically.
"We have an amazing group of women in our organisation that have delivered extraordinary results over the years, including National Pharmacy of the Year winners (Charnwood and Chisholm)."
Topp added there were also two category winners in the same Guild competition (Wanniassa and Southlands), multiple nominees and finalists culminating with another finalist (Southlands) at the 2024 awards next week.
"All of these pharmacies are owned and managed by women who all excel in every aspect of business and the provision of excellent healthcare," Topp said.
"I am very proud of the fact that our group defies the industry norm with two-thirds of our owner pharmacists being female."
Topp explained that the Board Chair is a woman, with the position being held by women since its inauguration as well as 80% of the group's support office staff and management team.
The group's success on the national stage isn't limited to the Guild National Pharmacy of the Year awards; multiple Capital Chemist pharmacies and pharmacists have won other awards in recent years, including Small Business Awards (local and national), Pharmacist of the Year, Intern, and Businesswomen of the Year awards.
"It is rewarding to be a part of a total team that is a true reflection of itself with subsequent impacts on ownership and leadership in various parts of the group."
The group's commitment to female leadership spreads across its community program, with a lot of support being given to women and their health issues including consumer groups such as Fearless Women, Bosom Buddies, Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Karinya House, Lifeline Women in Spirit Awards, Pink Hope, Netball ACT Junior Championships, and Cricket ACT Thunder Girl's League. JG
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