Top 100 CEO Interviews
Issue No. 51 - February/March 2010
National Pharmacies free to thrive
A major ownership change last March and the removal of restrictive legislative barriers in recent years has helped South Australian-based pharmacy and optical retailer, National Pharmacies steer a safe course through the murky economic waters of 2009; the future outlook for the company looks extremely positive.
Managing Director, Jim Howard cites National Pharmacies’ separation from Lifeplan Australia Friendly Society as the most significant event for the organisation over the past 12 months.
“When National Pharmacies was linked with Lifeplan we were a ‘controlled entity’ under accounting standards,”Jim says. “The separation means National Pharmacies is still a Friendly Society, but no longer affiliated with Lifeplan. This has made National Pharmacies totally independent and the company is today ranked as the 15th largest SA-based company.”
2009 also saw a significant expansion of National Pharmacies’ network of pharmacy and optical outlets – particularly in SA. “We opened new pharmacies in Mt Barker, Littlehampton, West Beach, Harbour Town and Henley Beach and we also invested heavily in the refurbishment of our pharmacies in Cumberland Park and Glenelg – and in Toorak over the border,” says Jim. “Strengthening our Optical service has been another focus. We opened three new outlets across Adelaide - at Henley Beach, Norwood and Parkholme – and another two in Victoria. “We also installed state-of-the-art robotic dispensary systems at seven SA stores and these have been hugely successful in reducing the average ‘peak period’ prescription waiting time by as much as half. “These investments combined have enabled us to offer greater member benefits across pharmacy, optical and general healthcare and represent our commitment to the future health of our members in both states.”
A mutual organisation with 168,000 memberships - covering more than 300,000 people for pharmacy and optical benefits - National Phar...
