Pharmacy Daily | CWH swoops on ex-Guild spokesman

FORMER Pharmacy Guild of Australia Communications Director, Greg Turnbull, is joining Chemist Warehouse (CWH) as an independent communications advisor to the discount giant.

CWH announced Turnbull's appointment less than a month after he was let go by the Guild as part of a restructure of the organisation's Canberra headquarters, which also saw a number of other staff members leave (PD 19 May).

CWH Co-founder, Damian Gance, said the group would benefit from Turnbull's knowledge of the pharmacy sector - having served as the Guild's most senior communications officer for 12 years - as well as skillset in media and politics.

"Our network of pharmacies is in high demand, as the pharmacies of choice for millions of Australians every week," Gance said.

"We intend to continue to make our case for beneficial regulatory reform of the community pharmacy sector in the interests of consumers and patients -- and we value Greg's input into this work," he said.

"CWH and its pharmacists are rightly proud of the manner in which they deliver professional services, including immunisation services which are contributing to public health.

"CWH pharmacists have administered the influenza vaccine to over 250,000 Australians so far this season.

"We are also very keen to make a contribution to the fight against COVID-19 through providing COVID vaccinations by our trained pharmacists as soon as possible.

"Greg Turnbull will be assisting us to ensure the significant contribution to Australians' health and wellness by CWH outlets across Australia is acknowledged and understood."

In a statement released this morning, Turnbull - a former senior media advisor to ex-Prime Minister, Paul Keating - described CWH as "Australia's champion retail pharmacies" and appeared to take aim at the Pharmacy Location Rules.

"Consumers have voted with their feet and given the group overwhelming support day after day," he said.

"There is no substitute for price, convenience and quality service - and that is what CWH strives to deliver, ideally in a regulatory environment that encourages rather than stifles competition."