Positive pharmacy forecast
March 29, 2012
THE majority of pharmacists have
a positive outlook for the future of
community pharmacy, according to
research conducted by the
University of Technology, Sydney
and Cegedim Strategic Data.
The Pharmacy Barometre study is
a new research program which
launched this week, and will be
conducted twice a year, to gauge
perceptions, attitudes, knowledge,
experiences and behaviours of
community pharmacists relating to
the future of professional practice
and the business of community
pharmacy.
According to the inaugural study’s
findings, the majority of
pharmacists said that service
orientation will be the foundation
of Australian community
pharmacies continued viability in
the future.
“The research shows that many
community pharmacists want to
move towards service, especially
fee for service, so they can stop
being dependant on the
government for revenue,” said
Head of the UTS School of Health
and Professor of Pharmacy
Practice, Charlie Benrimoj.
Overall researchers found
community pharmacy confidence
scored a mean 5.4 out of a
possible confidence score of 10.
Meanwhile, researchers also
found that while many
pharmacists are bracing for a
decrease in profits and valuation in
the year after the 01 April price
cuts, by year three many anticipate
a lessening of impact, with about
one in five being uncertain about
the future.
“We are in the midst of major
changes in the delivery and funding
of pharmaceuticals and health in
Australia that have the potential to
significantly affect the pharmacy
business model,” said UTS Adjunct
Professor John Montgomery.
“This is not the first time the
desire to pursue a service strategy
has been reported, although a lack
of knowledge in how to implement
the strategy may exist.
“The issue of how to develop a
service oriented pharmacy offer is
an area for further research and
certainly offers a new opportunity
for differentiation in the industry,”
he added.
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