Annerley Pharmacy Redefines Direction of Community Drugstores In the Future

On 5^th March 2019, Hardings 24-Hour Pharmacy in Annerley was declared the category winner of Excellence in Professional Innovation, making it one of four category winners of the 2019 Pharmacy of the Year award. The overall winner was chosen by Pharmacy Guild of Australia from the four category winners.

The award was presented by Minister of Health, Greg Hunt, at the Australian Pharmacy Professional conference on the Gold Coast on Thursday, 7^th March 2019.

Hardings 24-Hour Phamacy’s main achievement was that they overcame competition from two discount pharmacies by extending operating hours and being passionate about offering professional health services.

Commitment to service and patient needs are exactly what enables Hardings to compete effectively with two discount pharmacies in the area.

By operating for 24 hours, the pharmacy is able to provide round-the-clock service for the community.

But beyond the working hours, what makes the pharmacy unique is their professional services-based model. They have introduced a number of new professional services within the community that have made them a one-stop health hub.

Hardings also reaches out to the community by participating in community events, particularly those that focus on health promotion.

The pharmacy’s credentialed diabetes educator regularly presents at local patient seminars too. A second pharmacist is now undergoing training to become a diabetes educator.

Besides these services, Hardings supports a variety of charities. The pharmacy has developed a loyalty program that allows customers to donate their rewards to CanTeen Australia, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support, develop, and empower young people, aged 12 to 25 years old, with cancer.

Each year, three category winners are usually named by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. But since this year’s nominated pharmacies were of exceptional quality, the judges decided to announce four winners instead, splitting the Excellence in Community Engagement award into two components.

Aside from Hardings 24 hour Pharmacy of Annerley QLD who won Excellence in Professional Innovation, other category winners are:

• Flannery’s Pharmacy, Forbes NSW: Excellence in Business Management (named Pharmacy of the Year 2019 on 7th March 2019)
• Pharmacy 777 Glengarry, Duncraig WA: Excellence in Community Engagement, Collaboration and Partnerships
• Wilkinson’s Pharmacy, Burnie TAS: Excellence in Community Engagement, Health Services

Spokesperson for the judging group, Nick Panayiaris, President of the South Australian Branch of the Guild, described the four category winners as “great examples to the profession and the direction community pharmacy is heading into the future.”

The Guild Pharmacy of the Year Awards is conducted annually by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. It recognises pharmacies that are leading the way in providing innovative and optimal healthcare for members of their community.