March 2020 – Pharmacy Alliance

Posted on March 27, 2020April 15, 2020

Helping your pharmacy manage COVID-19

We know that the spread of COVID-19 is likely to be putting your pharmacy operations under extreme pressure. To help, the Pharmacy Alliance team is willing to provide hands on support to alleviate the workload on you and your team.

How we can help:

• Unpack stock and fill your shelves;

• Serve your patients;

• Complete required cleaning;

• Set-up information for your patients to understand the changes happening within your pharmacy; or

• When time permits, assist with coaching your team on how these changes can be implemented / managed within the pharmacy.

To take advantage of this offer, please contact your local PGM to schedule a date and time. Unfortunately, due to border closures, this offer is not available to Pharmacy Alliance members in the Northern Territory, South Australia or Tasmania.

#BetterTogether #COVID-19

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Posted on March 23, 2020April 2, 2020

Pharmacy Alliance member support office is open for business

I have come across some amazing examples of member pharmacies collaborating, creating patient-focused solutions and showing real empathy to their communities in an effort to help contain and manage the spread and also effect of COVID-19. I would like to commend all members on the professionalism that we have shown to combat the pandemic we are facing. You are all helping to create the Pharmacy Alliance aspiration of being recognised as healthcare heroes in your communities.

Unlike many businesses in Australia, we are very fortunate as an industry. In this time of global crisis, pharmacy is experiencing an unprecedented level of customers and sales that we simply cannot take for granted. It is important that a steady head prevails as your team members will be looking to you for leadership, guidance and support. I encourage you to think outside the box to find new ways to support your team and your community as the issue of COVID-19 develops.

As a result of recent Federal and State Government announcements, we are making some changes in how we continue to support you:

• With effect from Tuesday 24 March 2020, all Member Support Office (MSO) team members, based in Melbourne, will be working from home until further notice.

• MSO will continue to support members via phone or email. This includes the Procurement, Retail, ICT and Marketing teams.

• Our field-based team will continue to visit stores that they are able to drive to.

• For all general enquiries, please continue to call us on 03 9860 3300.

While we settle into these changes, please bear with us.

We are committed more than ever to support you through what looks to be a long road ahead. I know you understand the importance the role your pharmacy plays, not only to your community, but to our country. We have developed a portfolio of resources to help your pharmacy adjust to the rapidly changing environment we find ourselves in:

• COVID-19 Resources via the Member Support Hub (Login required);

• COVID-19 WhatsApp Group for questions and information sharing;

• Pharmacy Alliance Pharmacy Pandemic (COVID-19) Procedures; and

• Pharmacy Guild of Australia Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information.

We have also seen a great response from our partners to ensure that we are able to look after our communities and I would like to thank Sigma, Arrotex and GSK for their help so far. We are working with other partners on the out of stock position on priority products and will keep you informed.

Personally, I feel optimistic about our future. Please look after yourselves, your families and staff. Together, we’ve got this!

#bettertogether #communitypharmacy #australianpharmacy #localhealthmatters

Regards,

Simon Reynolds

Managing Director

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Posted on March 17, 2020April 2, 2020

Message from Simon Reynolds, Managing Director

With escalating concern regarding the Coronavirus outbreak along with the World Health Organisation declaring the Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic this week I felt it was important to keep you informed to help you manage your pharmacy.

OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

In the current environment our primary concern is the health and safety of our members, supplier partners and our team and as such we have reviewed our events calendar:

• APP2020 – Cancelled.

• Members Meetings: April and May 2020 – Cancelled.

• Retail Bootcamp, Melbourne: July 2020 – Cancelled.

• Members Forum, Vietnam: September 2020 – We are still planning for the Members Forum to go ahead in late September but are looking for a local destination. We have cancelled our booking in Vietnam.

UPDATES AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR PHARMACY

The following resources are available for your pharmacy.

• Product availability

• Pharmacy Pandemic Procedures

• Alliance Pharmacy Resources

• Pharmacy Guild Resources

For more information, please contact us.

OUR TEAM

Our team will continue to visit your pharmacy and we will advise of any change in our visit schedule. We are also developing contingency plans in the event our team is impacted by the virus.

I understand that the current situation is likely to be placing immense pressure on your pharmacy in keeping up with prescriptions and essential medicines demand, but I urge you to monitor your sales and cashflow daily and look at key areas of your business to forward plan. Please contact me or anyone in the Pharmacy Alliance team if you need help.

Regards,

Simon Reynolds
Managing Director

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