It is estimated that, by the age of 40, more than 97% of Australians carry the inactive virus (varicella zoster virus) that causes shingles from a previous chickenpox infection.^1-3

Research commissioned by GSK Australia* reveals over a quarter (26 per cent) of Australians aged 50-79 do not recall previously having chickenpox and are at risk of developing shingles without being aware of this risk.4 It also showed that almost a quarter (24 pesr cent) of Australians don’t believe or understand that they can develop shingles if they’ve had chickenpox.⁴

The risk of developing shingles increases with age.⁵ As the immune system naturally weakens, and this can allow the usually inactive virus that causes shingles to reactivate.⁶ If Australians have a weakened immune system due to illness, treatments or medications, you may also be at increased risk.^1,2,5

Shingles Awareness Week aims to increase understanding of the impact of shingles and address common misconceptions surrounding shingles. Journalist Shelly Horton and AFL-legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico join news presenter Deborah Knight as Shingles Awareness Week ambassadors, having experienced first-hand the pain and impact of shingles.

“I experienced shingles during a very stressful time of my life. A huge spread of tiny blisters appeared on my right inner thigh, which left me in excruciating pain, and I felt completely debilitated,” shared Shelly Horton, who is an advocate for talking about taboo health topics.

“Since my experience, many people close to me have been affected by this condition. My mum had shingles, which caused a rash across her torso. It was so painful she couldn’t even drive or sit on the couch to watch TV. She almost went to hospital because she thought it was kidney stones.

“I now know that shingles is common in people 50 and over. One of mum’s friends got shingles in her eye, which could have affected her sight. My father-in-law also had shingles at my wedding in Mexico, with a rash across his back,” recalled Ms Horton. “He was in a lot of pain and afraid of the rash being aggravated, especially during our dance. While everyone else continued celebrating, he became bed bound in the hotel room.”

Recognised as one of Hawthorn Football Club’s most prominent players, Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico, has also experienced the painful and debilitating impact of shingles, and has cared for his partner during her shingles diagnosis.

“Compared to the pain of many of my sporting injuries, shingles was relentless. It put me out of action for nine days,” said Dipper. “I had a large, itchy, red rash suddenly appear on the left side of my body. It was so uncomfortable, I slept on a mattress in the lounge room with the air conditioning running to try and find some relief. It was horrible to experience personally, and I know some of my loved ones, like my partner and my mum, have also experienced the pain and discomfort of shingles.”

Monika Boogs, Chief Executive Officer, Painaustralia, says that the pain of shingles is often described by people as some the worst they have ever experienced.

“Shingles is often more than just a rash. The pain from shingles can disrupt sleep, mood, work and daily activities and impact quality of life. For some people, it can cause long-term issues with eyesight or chronic nerve pain leading to long-term discomfort,” said Ms Boogs.

Leading expert, Professor Tony Cunningham, Director of the Centre for Virus Research (WIMR) and Vaccine Theme Leader at Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (SydneyID), The University of Sydney, suggests that Australians aged 50 and over should not underestimate their shingles risk even if they don’t recall having had chickenpox.

  “If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in your body. Almost all Australians have had chickenpox, even if they don’t remember having it or were asymptomatic, and so are at risk of shingles as they carry the inactive virus. As you get older, there is a decline in your immune system that can leave you susceptible to the reactivation of this virus, which causes shingles,” said Professor Cunningham.

“Shingles Awareness Week is an important reminder to understand the symptoms and your risk, especially if you are aged 50 and over. Speak to your doctor to understand your risk of shingles and encourage loved ones who are older to do the same.”

To help reduce the impact on people’s lives and the disruption to everyday activities that shingles can cause, Australians aged 50 years and over should learn more about the signs, symptoms and risk factors for shingles. For more information about shingles, speak to a healthcare professional and visit knowshingles.com.au

On behalf of GSK Australia, Ipsos Healthcare conducted an online survey among 600 Australian-based consumer participants (aged 50-79 years old from the general population) who chose to take part in the survey between 17 July and 1 August 2024. Participants were all screened to match national proportions based on region, gender and working situation. Majority of respondents had one or more comorbidities, while one in three did not. The sample is not nationally representative, only indicative.

References

The post Aussie stars expose the painful reality of shingles this Shingles Awareness Week appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

This year’s Street Party theme, ‘Country Hoedown’ promises a lively celebration, with APP2025 Conference Chairman Kos Sclavos AM encouraging attendees to join in the fun.

“The APP Street Party is the perfect chance to unwind, network, and celebrate with industry friends after a busy few days of learning,” says Mr Sclavos.

“The ‘Country Hoedown’ theme has generated a lot of excitement, and we expect tickets to sell out quickly.”

Something for everyone

Held at The Star Gold Coast, the party will span two venues.

The Ballroom will feature live music, line dancing, and a headline performance from Furnace & Fundamentals.

Meanwhile, the Marquee will offer a more relaxed atmosphere with acoustic tunes interactive games, and a photo booth.

Tickets include a buffet dinner, a signature cocktail on arrival, and a 5-hour drinks package.

For more information and to secure tickets, visit appconference.com.

The post APP2025 to wrap up with ‘Country Hoedown’ Street Party appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

This year’s conference, themed IMPACT, highlights the growing role of pharmacists and their teams in delivering exceptional healthcare and strengthening community well-being.

Opening the event, TWC Executive General Manager Nick Munroe acknowledged both the network’s strong performance over the past 12 months, along with the opportunities that lay ahead through the evolving community pharmacy landscape,

“While the community pharmacy sector continues to shift, our focus remains on elevating the customer experience and providing the support the TWC network requires to succeed.” Mr. Munroe said.

“The evolution of community pharmacy over the next few years will be a defining moment, and pharmacists have a critical role in supporting the delivery of primary healthcare for Australians,” he continued.

In the first half of FY25, TWC has continued to grow, expanding its network to 616 pharmacies, adding 52 new stores in the past year. Network sales increased by 11.0 per cent, with like-for-like sales up 9.3 per cent. This growth was fuelled by the success of the TWC offer including CareClinic programs, the myTWC app, and Rewards Plus.

The conference continues with strategic updates, key announcements, and insights from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the PSA, and industry leaders, alongside valuable knowledge-sharing sessions from across the TWC network.

The post TerryWhite Chemmart Welcomes 1000+ to Annual Conference appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Assistant Minister Stoker will join more than 150 community pharmacists and pharmacy industry representatives at Victoria Park Ballroom on Wednesday 5 March to address this year’s campaign theme #AccelerateAction.

Chris Owen, President of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland, expressed his pride in hosting this significant event.

“As an industry made up of 70% women, International Women’s Day holds great
importance to The Guild and to the community pharmacy industry as a whole,” says Mr Owen.

“This event provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations and celebrating the
women in our community.

“This will be the fourth year The Queensland Guild has hosted this important event, and we look forward to hearing from our guest speaker, Assistant Minister Stoker.”

With experience across business, law, and government, Assistant Minister Stoker’s presentation will offer key insights on how to Accelerate Action.

Celebrating International Women’s Day and recognising women in the pharmacy industry, attendees can enjoy Assistant Minister Stoker’s insights, a delicious hot breakfast, networking, and a chance to win fabulous lucky door prizes.

Tickets are limited and are selling quickly. For further details and to book, click here.

Text by: The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland.

The post Hon Amanda Stoker announced as speaker for 2025 Women in Pharmacy Breakfast appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

The Mastering Digital Media for Pharma workshop, set to be held in Sydney on 24 April, is designed especially for national pharmaceutical marketers, looking to navigate digital media with confidence and compliance.

The in-person session will explore the current Australian digital health care landscape, before showing participants how to shape impactful, pharma-focused digital media strategies. It will also deep dive into the key digital channels and their role in the patient journey offering critical insights into data privacy and measurement in a post-cookie world.

Digital media is a sought-after source of health care information for Australians. A 2024 study in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health found that 89% of Australian parents had used search engines to find health information about their child, while 43% of parents of children with chronic illness had accessed social media for information.*

Prophesy Digital Founder and Digital Media Strategist Mehrak Saheb says: “Digital media has become one of the most critical channels for reaching health care audiences, and the pressure is on for pharmaceutical marketers to master the space.

“We know digital is a prime channel for reaching consumers, whether it’s those in immediate need of solutions or support, those looking to share their experiences or people seeking connection.

“There’s also been much talk across the industry about the growing role of social media in the patient journey and its influence on how people navigate their health care journey. We’ve seen a rise in people following health-related influencers on social media platforms, engaging in discussions online, and observing others’ health journeys, particularly for long-term or ongoing conditions.

“With this workshop, we’re hoping to explore the Australian digital health care sector’s current state of play and unpick the role that each channel plays when it comes to interacting with consumers.

“Our goal is to give marketers the confidence to create platform-based, consumer-led strategies that build trust, engage audiences and ultimately, achieve better brand outcomes.”

The digital media workshop will be held in Sydney at Three International Towers, Barangaroo on Thursday, 24 April from 9:30am – 5pm, and places are limited to six attendees.

To register, visit prophesydigital.com.au/workshop.

Prophesy Digital is a boutique, digital media strategy consultancy, dedicated to bridging the gap between brands and consumers in the digital world.

*Source: Patterns of Parental Online Health Information-Seeking Behaviour, 2024 Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.

The post Prophesy Digital set to host digital media workshop for pharmaceutical marketers appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

“In 2025, Naturally Good is committed to featuring a diverse lineup that captures what’s new and next in natural products,” the organiser said. “Responding to retailer demand and visitor feedback seeking fresh, exciting options, this year’s exclusive selection aims to surpass expectations and ensure that Naturally Good continues to reign as the leading platform for sourcing the latest in natural offerings.”

The Naturally Good Awards recognise and celebrate the innovation and dedication behind natural brands.

“By submitting a nomination, you can position your business as a leader in the natural space.”

Entries close 21 February 11:59PM AEST. Enter now at naturallygood.com.au/whats-on/awards.

The post Final week for Naturally Good Awards entries appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

However, delegates are still able to register for the conference as usual.

APP2025, taking place on the Gold Coast next month (20-22 March), will showcase over 250 companies and more than 450 exhibitor stands, covering everything from prescription and OTC medicine providers, software providers, complementary medicines suppliers, finance companies, and more.

“We have over 250 different companies participating in this year’s Trade Exhibition,” said
conference convenor, Kos Sclavos AM.

“With a wide variety of exhibitors and over 450 stands, there’s sure to be something of interest for all of our delegates.”

This year, the exhibition hall is set to become a physical manifestation of the APP2025
conference theme ‘Unlocking Your Opportunities’, providing delegates opportunities to network and keep up to date with industry trends.

“Whether delegates are looking for inspiration, seeking partnerships, or even just wanting
to keep ahead of industry trends, this year’s Trade Exhibition will deliver an incredible
experience filled with opportunities for growth and success,” said Mr Sclavos.

APP2025 will also feature a comprehensive three-day education program offering a mix of industry updates, clinical insights, business strategies, and motivational talks delivered by more than 120 experts and thought leaders.

Register for APP2025 at appconference.com.

The post APP2025 trade exhibition sells out as excitement builds appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Reflecting on the APP2025 theme “Unlock Your Opportunities”, APP Chairman Kos Sclavos AM shares his top program highlights for the upcoming event – a challenging task given the calibre of sessions and speakers at APP2025.

Mr Sclavos’ top 20 sessions for this year (in conference date and time order) are:

Full Scope of Practice Workshop
Wednesday afternoon

Opening Plenary and Pharmacy of The Year winners
Thursday morning

The world community pharmacy scene: why are some global giants failing – what is the key to success?
Thursday morning

How community pharmacy can strengthen their primary care role through precision health
Thursday morning

Alan Russell Oration | Pharmacist full scope of practice
Thursday afternoon

Digital Health: The next 5 years for pharmacy
Thursday afternoon

Unlocking Opportunities: Is ‘Full Scope of Practice’ a viable service offering for community pharmacy?
Thursday afternoon

Guild member (Proprietor) only breakfast: Industry update
Friday morning

The Panel: State of the Industry
Friday morning

The Patient Doctor
Friday morning

Ann Dalton Address | Fearless: finding the power to thrive
Friday morning

Harm minimisation stream
Friday afternoon

Pharmacy lessons from the USA
Saturday morning

Inspiring lifesaving communities: Greg Page’s story
Saturday morning

Finding power when you feel flat, tired and uninspired
Saturday morning

Pharmacy market insights and a financial update in the light of 60DD and 8CPA: A deep dive into the economics and business perspectives of pharmacy professional services
Saturday afternoon

People, prosperity, and the planet: The power of superannuation
Saturday afternoon

Practical guide to diabetes-specific nutritional formulas: Implementation strategies for Pharmacy Practice
Saturday afternoon

Top 10 tips from PDL
Saturday afternoon

Finding success with QCPP
Saturday afternoon

Details and information about these sessions can be found in the full APP2025 program.

Register today at appconference.com.au.

The post Chairman’s top 20: APP2025 appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

Titled ‘Transforming the future of pharmacy – embracing change and innovation’ and hosted by CommBank Health, the workshop is the fifth edition of their ‘Pharmacy Owners Masterclass’ series.

The workshop will feature newly refreshed content and structure and will explore several vital and emerging aspects of pharmacy business management, including:

• Building and retaining great pharmacy teams;
• Utilising the 8 th CPA for success;
• Financing strategies for long-term growth;
• Utilising technology to your advantage;
• Building a robust approach to financial management.

APP Convenor, Kos Sclavos AM says that the workshop is must-attend for pharmacists wanting to enhance their business performance, or pharmacists wanting to buy into a pharmacy or step up into management positions.

“In today’s fast-evolving industry, staying ahead of the curve is essential and adaptability is
crucial,” says Mr Sclavos.

“Attend this workshop to elevate your pharmacy with innovative strategies, enhanced services and improved performance.

“Aspiring owners will also benefit greatly from attending this workshop.”

Workshop facilitators include Emma Brown and Anne Seah from RSM Australia, Pharmacy
Practice Manager for Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse, Carolyn Clementson, and Co-Founder and Director of Scrypt, Lloyd Smith.

The workshop will run from 12.30pm to 5.00pm.

Register today at appconference.com.au.

Text by: The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland.

The post Pharmacy owners masterclass on offer at APP2025 appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Layne Beachley to APP2025,” said Mr Sclavos. “Layne’s extraordinary achievements, combined with her candid reflections on overcoming challenges, make her an incredible source of inspiration for our delegates. Her session is sure to leave a lasting impact.”

Layne Beachley AO is a surfing legend who celebrated for her resilience and determination. Overcoming challenges such as adoption, mental illness, life-threatening injuries, and setbacks, Layne turned adversity into opportunity, cementing her legacy both in and out of the surf. Beyond her record-breaking achievements, she is a passionate advocate for equality, mental wellness, and sustainability. As Chair of Surfing Australia and founder of Awake Academy, Layne’s mission is to empower lives through connection, confidence, and self-care, making her an inspirational leader on and off the waves.

In her session, Layne will share practical strategies for breaking through self-limiting beliefs, boosting energy, and achieving lasting success. Delegates will learn her five-step self-care plan to prevent burnout, build resilience, and empower themselves to “win the morning to win the day.” Attendees will leave with actionable tools to elevate their wellbeing and unlock their potential in both their personal and professional lives.
“Layne’s journey of resilience and determination resonates deeply with the pharmacy profession,” added Mr Sclavos. “Her actionable insights and infectious energy will inspire attendees to overcome challenges, focus on wellbeing, and strive for excellence.”

The post Layne Beachley AO to Inspire APP2025 Delegates with “Unlocking a Winning Mindset” appeared first on Retail Pharmacy.