Pharmacy Daily | Pharmacies impacted by NSW floods

PHARMACIES in flood-ravaged parts of NSW are being urged to contact their insurer if they have been impacted by the catastrophe affecting large parts of the state.

A spokesperson for Guild Insurance confirmed that the business was providing support to "a number of pharmacy customers who have been impacted by the current catastrophe in NSW".

While the spokesperson was unable to give an exact number of pharmacies affected by the unfolding disaster, they said Guild Insurance was expecting to see it grow in the coming days.

"Our account management and claims teams are working around the clock to ensure anyone who has been affected is getting the support they need as easily and as quickly as possible," the spokesperson said.

"Our key purpose is to be there for those for our community rely on, and it's during times like these that we try to be there for them in any way we can.

"Any impacted customers who haven't already can contact their account manager, call us on 1800 810 213, or lodge a claim online 24/7 at guildinsurance.com.au."

Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President, David Heffernan, told Pharmacy Daily that the organisation was reaching out to members in affected regions to offer support.

Meanwhile the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a catastrophe for parts of NSW following the "devastating storms and flooding of the last few days".

The declaration serves to escalate and prioritise the insurance industry's response to affected policyholders.

ICA CEO, Andrew Hall, said it was "too early to understand the extent of damage to property in affected areas and to estimate the insurance damage bill", but noted insurers have received more than 5,000 claims to date.

"The insurance industry has made this catastrophe declaration to activate services and support affected homeowners and businesses, and reassure them that their insurer will be there to help," he said.

"As many areas are currently inaccessible due to floodwater, insurers are expecting further claims in the coming days as emergency services allow residents to return to their properties to examine the extent of their damage and losses."