National Pharmacies

Yesterday evening, we had the pleasure of recognising 520 businesses that supply our pharmacies and optical stores with products that help keep our members and customers happy, healthy, and thriving. From premium fragrances to pain relief solutions and prescription sunglasses, we're proud to partner with suppliers who continuously push the boundaries of excellence and innovation - ensuring we always have the right products at the right time. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners recognised at the 25th National Pharmacies Supplier Awards in Adelaide. We recognise and value your dedication to customer service and quality products. To learn more about the awards and the suppliers recognised, visit: https://lnkd.in/gQJb935h #Pharmacy #SouthAustralia #Optical #Beauty #Pharmaceutical #NationalPharmacies #OpticalbyNationalPharmacies #NationalPharmaciesDistribution

  We are incredibly proud to share that National Pharmacies has won the Health Industry Hub ‘Sustainability Champion’ award for our blister pack recycling program in partnership with Viatris and Pharmacycle.   Since launching the program in November 2022, we have diverted more than 9.7 million blister packs from landfill. An incredible result, which prompted us to expand the program to include the recycling of disposable contact lens blister cases through our Optical by National Pharmacies stores.   Thank you to the Health Industry Hub for this award. We will continue to encourage ways to live our purpose; Caring for People, Enabling Health and Inspiring Wellness.

Today on World Pharmacist Day, the South Australian Government announced they are expanding scope of practice for pharmacists. We are excited to be able to harness the full scope of practice of our expert pharmacists to better meet the complex health needs of South Australians, our ageing population and our overstretched health system. Soon, we'll be able to treat everyday conditions like gastro, earaches, and reflux, providing improved access to timely healthcare when and where our members and customers need it. Happy World Pharmacist Day!

We are excited to be able to provide women with more flexibility in when and where they receive their contraceptive care. Eligible* women can now receive a re-supply of their Oral Contraceptive Pill through participating National Pharmacies stores. Find out more about how National Pharmacies can help here: https://lnkd.in/dJ6_UXfD

Happy International Women’s Day! “Today is all about celebrating women’s achievements in our communities and advocating for action towards a gender equal and inclusive world. I’m proud to work alongside so many great women, who are paving the way forward for future generations.  At National Pharmacies, we understand the importance of this day and are proud to be a company that values diversity, inclusivity, and equality.”  Rebecca Rogers, National Pharmacies Chief Pharmacist  #iwd2024 #inspireinclusivity #internationalwomensday #internationalwomensday2024

Yesterday we officially opened the doors to our newest Pharmacy and Optical store at the Victor Harbor Health Hub on Torrens Street. A landmark investment for the local community, the Hub will cover all your health and wellness needs in the one location. With extensive parking and a coffee shop on-site, National Pharmacies Victor Harbor can’t wait to deliver better care than ever for our members and the community.

Strong demand for afterhours medication and health advice has seen more than 440 people visit or contact Norwood National Pharmacies overnight in its first week operating 24/7. Norwood National Pharmacies is South Australia’s first 24/7 pharmacy operating under a new State Government scheme, with 384 people visiting the pharmacy, in central Adelaide, between 10pm and 8am from Sunday, 4 February, to Sunday, 11 February. A further 65 people called afterhours for advice from pharmacists. More than 240 prescriptions were dispensed to afterhours customers for medications, including antibiotics, for pain relief and migraine medication. Norwood National Pharmacies pharmacists gave advice over the counter and over the phone on UTIs, children’s pain relief, infant colic treatments, baby formula, COVID tests, cold and flu treatments and antihistamines. Pharmacists also gave advice on how to use medications, including to a patient with an asthma inhaler and spacer who had recently been discharged from hospital. Asthma inhalers were also dispensed over the counter afterhours, preventing potential visits to an emergency department. Women and couples used the 24/7 pharmacy the most, followed by seniors and young adults. Norwood National Pharmacies became the first community pharmacy to open its doors 24/7 last week under a $2.5 million a year government initiative to help reduce avoidable presentations to busy hospital emergency departments. National Pharmacies CEO Vito Borrello said the number of people from across Adelaide coming through the door after hours in the first week of 24/7 trading had highlighted the need for extended pharmacy services. “Our expert pharmacists have been able to assist worried parents, carers, shift-workers and others in the community who previously would have had to seek help elsewhere,” said Mr Borrello. “We’ve been delighted by the response to our 24/7 service and look forward to continuing to serve the needs of our community when they need it, day or night,” he said. Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton said the government had been “blown away” by the response from South Australians who have accessed the new late-night pharmacy service. “These are people who may have had to otherwise go to an emergency department to get the medication they required,” said Mr Picton. Two more 24/7 pharmacies will soon open to service Adelaide’s northern and southern regions. Norwood National Pharmacies services the central Adelaide region. A pharmacist will be on staff 24 hours a day at each of the three pharmacies to provide specialist health advice, dispense medicines and provide professional pharmacy services. The three pharmacies will also have added security including on-site security guards overnight.

Norwood National Pharmacies is the first community pharmacy to open its doors 24/7 under a South Australian Government initiative increasing access to health care. The National Pharmacies store in Norwood is now operating 24 hours a day after its official opening by National Pharmacies CEO Vito Borrello, Premier Peter Malinauskas and Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton. Norwood National Pharmacies will service the central Adelaide region 24/7 and is the first of three community pharmacies to open around-the-clock under a State Government initiative. The State Government has invested $2.5 million a year to fund the initiative which will help to reduce avoidable presentations to busy hospital emergency departments. “Norwood National Pharmacies is leading the way in providing Adelaide families and individuals an immediate gateway to manage personal health and wellbeing every hour of every day, while also benefitting the wider health network,” said Mr Borrello. “Our professional team of pharmacists are now available 24/7 to provide health advice and dispense time-critical medications, including pain relief for sick children and antivirals for COVID and Shingles, allowing for rapid treatment and recovery of illnesses that require prompt management,” he said. Mr Borrello acknowledged the State Government for improving access to community pharmacy services. Mr Malinauskas said: “This is a game-changer for South Australian families and will also relieve pressure on our busy hospitals. If someone gets sick in the middle of the night and needs quick access to medicine or health advice, they can now go to a 24-hour pharmacy instead of the ED.” Mr Picton said: “The added introduction of improved access to UTI treatment and a resupply of the Pill will also provide a major boost to women’s healthcare, putting patients first and providing faster access to support, while helping to ease pressure on hospital emergency departments and wait times to see a GP.” From next month, South Australian women aged 18-65 with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) will be able to access antibiotic treatment through participating pharmacies. And from May, eligible women will also be able to visit a local pharmacy to access a resupply of their oral contraceptive pill, without needing a doctor’s appointment or prescription.

Last month we welcomed our 2024 Intern Pharmacists to the business with a full day induction including presentations from key leaders in the business and a tour of our distribution centre. At National Pharmacies we believe that interns are integral to our ongoing success. As such we continue to grow and improve our Intern Support Program which supports interns to put their academic knowledge into real life practice so that they can become competent, independent health professionals. This year we welcome Viatris as the Platinum sponsor of our program and we thank them and in particular Rachel Pears for their support of the next generation of pharmacists. It’s an exciting time to be entering the pharmacy profession and we look forward to seeing our interns’ success this year and into the future.