Pharmacy Daily | McDonald tradition alive

FORTY years ago Bob Hawke became Prime Minister, the Australia II yacht ended a 135-year US domination of the America's Cup, and a small pharmacy in Sydney's Upper North Shore began a family tradition of serving its local community.

Last month, McDonald's Pharmacy St Ives - which has been open every day since 1983 - marked its milestone 40th anniversary with a celebration in-store.

Owner Jacinta McDonald has spent her life around pharmacies - her father David owned pharmacies in Queensland and New South Wales, and she was 13 years old when David took over the St Ives store on 02 Mar 1983.

McDonald bought the business from her father in 2016 and has made sure the business remains a family affair, with her daughters Sophia and Charlotte, who are the third-generation helping to keep the McDonald tradition alive.

"One of the big things is we've been open every single day of the year since 1983.

"We've had floods, we've had electrical power outages and what have you - but there's still one of us in there helping our valued customers."

McDonald's Pharmacy is a Pharmacy Choice Gold Store and has been part of the program since 2014, which McDonald said has enabled the business to be more competitive in the market.

"As a small pharmacy we don't get the opportunity to get the discounts like the large warehouses," she said.

"With Pharmacy Choice it enables me to get discounts on core range lines and I can then pass on those savings to our patients through our catalogue each month."

Cameron Macklin, General Manager, Pharmacy Choice and Merchandise, congratulated McDonald's Pharmacy on its achievement.

"Their longevity in business is a testament to the team's understanding of their customers and their commitment to providing valued and trusted service 365 days a year," he said.

"We have been proud and privileged to be part of their journey for nearly a decade."

McDonald credited her staff for making McDonald's Pharmacy what it is today.

"We greet our clients by their name, we know the names of their children, and their grandchildren, which all adds that personal touch," she said.

Pictured: Jacinta McDonald and the pharmacy staff celebrate the 40th anniversary at an in-store event on 13 Mar.