The Pharmacy of the Year
March 9, 2012
THE year’s most anticipated industry gong, the QCPP Pharmacy of the Year award 2012, has gone to Cape York Guardian Pharmacy in Weipa, Far North Queensland. Announced yesterday at the APP conference by the Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, the award recognised Cape York Guardian Pharmacy’s outstanding contribution to the Weipa community and the whole Cape region. “Australia is a large country and the Western Cape is as remote as it gets,” said POTY judge and Guild National Director, Patrick Reid. “In sometimes trying circumstances, the Cape York team has looked upon problems as opportunities - all while contributing so strongly to their community andits people,” he added. Cape York Guardian Pharmacy beat out other semi-finalists to take a place in the finals as the category winner for Excellence in Community Engagement. Going up against Cape York for the overall award were the two other category award winners, Chemmart Superstore in Eaton (WA), for Excellence in Business Management; and Martin’s Chemist, St Mary’s (NSW), for Innovation in Professional Services. The award judges, Reid and Bill Scott, Chairman of Fred Health, were however, so impressed with the quality of the seven semifinalists that they recognised a fourth pharmacy with an Honourable Mention, Priceline Pharmacy, Kiama (NSW). Guild National President, Kos Sclavos, said: “This result demonstrates that pharmacies in regional areas can deliver excellent services that are just as good as, or in this case even better than their metropolitan counterparts.” Cape York Guardian Pharmacy owner, Scott McChanon (pictured above with Health Minister Tanya Plibersek) said he entered the pharmacy into competition because “I was proud of where we’d come from. “This community has embraced us since we’ve come here and I wanted to show the town that we deliver a level of service, and a pharmacy, that is comparable with anywhere in Australia,” he added.
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