QUEENSLAND pharmacies make up half the finalists for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia's 2023 Pharmacy of the Year (PotY) title.
The six-store list features Queensland's Livelife Pharmacy Cooroy, Thursday Island Pharmacy and Wholelife Pharmacy and Healthfoods Pearse Street, Capital Chemist Calwell, ACT, Pharmacy 777 Shoalwater, Western Australia, and Ouyen Pharmacy, Victoria.
Guild Senior Vice President and PotY judging panel member, Nick Panayiaris said this year's nominees had set a new benchmark for community pharmacies.
"The nominations have been absolutely exceptional," he said.
"These awards have been presented for more than 20 years, but the judges all agree this year has been outstanding."
Panayiaris said that it was remarkable to see how many stores had invested in automation and other technology, which has enabled them to make the changes necessary to grow their businesses and launch patient-centred services, while managing the impact of COVID-19.
"It was really encouraging to see how pharmacies had responded to the changed environment of COVID and adapted to meet the different patient demands and expectations," he said.
"They innovated, they pivoted, and they came up with solutions to previously unencountered clinical and business challenges."
Award sponsor, Care Pharmaceuticals General Manager, Jonathan Biddle, said the competition sought to acknowledge Australia's most innovative and adaptable pharmacies.
"They have worked under the most challenging situations to meet the needs of their patients and their community by providing comprehensive, holistic health services, medication safety and advice, through well-managed pharmacies," he said.
"This year we had hundreds of nominations for the award.
"We are proud at Care Pharmaceuticals to sponsor this important recognition of outstanding pharmacies, and our sponsorship reflects our ongoing commitment to patients and pharmacies in the sector."
The 2023 PotY winner will be announced at the Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference on the Gold Coast on 23 Mar 2023.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 01 Dec 22
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 01 Dec 22
