Delegates immersed themselves in the future of pharmacy, exploring a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by changing customer and patient expectations, innovative store design, and an expanding scope of practice, with the brand reaffirming its commitment to empowering its network with cutting-edge solutions to drive efficiency, growth, and patient care.

Key announcements set to redefine the pharmacy experience for both businesses and customers included –
– major enhancements to the myTWC health app, and the eCommerce experience,
– a refreshed store design optimised for full scope,
– the rollout of electronic shelf labels,
– and the implementation of a new clinical governance platform

Executive General Manager Nick Munroe remarked, “The past three days have been incredibly productive and inspiring. It has been a year full of change, and we remain steadfast in our direction. TerryWhite Chemmart continues to drive excellence across retail, dispensary, and the continued expansion of pharmacist’s scope and delivering health services to our communities. This conference has further reinforced our dedication to this mission.”

The culmination of significant efforts from the past year was celebrated at the HEART Awards Gala dinner, which recognised excellence across the TerryWhite Chemmart community. Awards were presented to outstanding pharmacies from each state, acknowledging their commitment to delivering exceptional service and care to their communities.

The TerryWhite Chemmart National Pharmacy of the Year was awarded to TerryWhite Chemmart Noraville in NSW. Pharmacy owners Lachlan Walters and Robert King commented that joining TerryWhite Chemmart showed them what a health focused community pharmacy brand could deliver for their community.

Mr Walters added, “The support from TerryWhite Chemmart over these past 18 months has been truly incredible. They’ve been there every step of the way as we’ve brought a more sophisticated retail offer and health services to the community of Noraville.”

In addition to recognising pharmacies across the network and supplier partners, individual team members and pharmacy owners were recognised across several categories, including the prestigious Rhonda White Leadership Award.

Karen Brown, this year’s award recipient, reflected on the impact of being a pharmacist and the privilege of leading her team.

“Being a pharmacist is incredibly rewarding because every day brings something new. You never know what challenges or opportunities will come through the door, but by the time you leave, you know you’ve made a difference in someone’s life. That’s a privilege not many professions offer,” she said.

“I’m also incredibly grateful for my team—leadership isn’t about me, but about supporting them in the way they need, which can change from moment to moment. At the heart of it all, we have a responsibility to be there for our community, and I’m so proud to stand alongside my team in that role.”

As the TerryWhite Chemmart IMPACT Conference in Melbourne comes to an end, the Pharmacy Network is committed to solidifying their role as leaders in care, adopting cutting-edge digital technology, providing patient-centric care, and promoting best practices to shape a better future for Australian pharmacy.

The winners of the TerryWhite Chemmart HEART Awards are:

• Rhonda White Leadership Award
o Karen Brown, Arana Hills (QLD)

• National Winner – Pharmacy of the Year
o TerryWhite Chemmart Noraville (NSW)

• Pharmacy of the Year – State Award Winners
o QLD – TerryWhite Chemmart Manly
o NSW – TerryWhite Chemmart Noraville
o VIC – TerryWhite Chemmart Drouin
o ACT – TerryWhite Chemmart Ainslie Compounding
o TAS – TerryWhite Chemmart Sorell
o SA – TerryWhite Chemmart Playford
o WA – TerryWhite Chemmart Eaton

• Retail Leadership Award
o Lucy Ramm, Bunbury Plaza (WA)

• Pharmacy Engagement Award
o TerryWhite Chemmart Seacliff Park (SA)

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The 2024 Partner’s Conference took place in Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan, which marked the network’s return to international conferences, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and strategic learning across borders.

Global retail practices were explored in iconic Japanese locations, including Kyoto’s historic sites, Tokyo’s retail hubs, and the famous Ginza district to deepen the team’s understanding of cultural impacts on retail success.

Professor John Strong, renowned American retail expert and Harvard alumni, spoke at the conference, sharing his experience of over 25 years in the financial analysis of the global retailing industry.

Blooms The Chemist CEO, Emmanuel Vavoulas, said: “The return of international conferences for our network, starting with this year’s Partner’s Conference, provides a unique opportunity to expand our knowledge and cultural understanding of global retail practices. This ensures that Blooms The Chemist continues to deliver the highest quality of care to our community.

“The annual Blooms The Chemist Partner’s Conference Awards is also a great way to recognise the outstanding efforts and achievements of our dedicated network pharmacies and Pharmacists for the past year.”

Blooms The Chemist Baldivis (WA) was crowned as the prestigious Store of the Year, displaying outstanding customer service, community engagement, and team member retention in the last 12 months.

Runner Up Store of the Year Award was handed to Blooms The Chemist Tweed City Central (NSW). Luke Owens from Blooms The Chemist Erina (NSW) was awarded Pharmacist of the Year and Claire Robertson from Blooms The Chemist Wagga Wagga (NSW) took home the Values and Culture Award.

Additional winners included:

• Retail Excellence Store of the Year: Blooms The Chemist Bullcreek (WA)
• New Store of the Year – 24 months: Blooms The Chemist Ballarat North (VIC)
• Sustainability Store of the Year: Blooms The Chemist Erina (NSW)
• Purpose Store of the Year: Blooms The Chemist Casey Central (VIC)
• Dispensary Award: Blooms The Chemist Belmont Central (NSW)
• Productivity Award: Blooms The Chemist  Bakewell (NT)
• Customer Service Award: Blooms The Chemist Saratoga (NSW)
• Supplier of the Year: Reckitt

Blooms The Chemist is pleased to acknowledge the continuous support from its supplier partners in delivering an exceptional conference, including platinum sponsors:

• AFT Pharmaceuticals
• Aspen Pharmaceuticals
• Care Pharmaceuticals
• Chemfit
• Haleon
• Herbs of Gold
• MPS Connect
• PharmaCare
• Reckitt
• ResMed
• Sandoz
• Symbion
• Technology360
• VidaCorp

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‘The new Aged Care Act is a starting point for more enhanced collaborative care
across all sectors of health care.

‘For years our members have been advocating for funding to ensure systems are
better integrated throughout the entire care continuum.

‘The passing of these reforms means significant technology and platform maintenance
and enhancements will now be funded to ensure critical aged care digital systems
remain contemporary and comply with legislation.

‘Having been involved in the development of the electronic National Residential
Medication Chart as well as many other digital health and electronic chart initiatives,
our members know first-hand the positive impact improved systems will have on older
Australians and their carers.

‘Transitions of care is an important and vulnerable point of the care journey and, when
done poorly, can result in avoidable harm or re-admission to hospital.

‘For over 30 years, our members have been involved in multidisciplinary geriatric in-
reach and outreach programs to support safe transitions of care for older Australians.
‘Under the new Aged Care Act, our members can ensure the care services they provide
are more collaborative and integrated.

‘Better integration of clinical systems across primary, acute and transitions of care will
improve the quality and safety of care provided to more older Australians.’

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The roadmaps were developed by FIP in collaboration with its regional pharmaceutical forums and, for the European Region, with FIP member organisations in Europe as there is no FIP regional pharmaceutical forum in the European region.

The roadmap for the African Region describes eight AMR and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) priority actions, including encouraging the use of point-of-care diagnostic tools to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections and inform the selection of antimicrobials. Six actions for pharmacists across the region of the Americas are prioritised, including educating other healthcare providers about AMR and encouraging interprofessional collaboration within AMS programmes.

The publication also presents various activities that have already been undertaken in countries of each region. For example, in the Eastern Mediterranean region, pharmacists are monitoring and supporting patients who have been exposed to antimicrobial resistant microorganisms.

“AMR should be a concern for every country, and for pharmacists in every country. FIP is supporting the profession to combat AMR in a number of ways, including that one of the 21 FIP Development Goals guiding the transformation of the profession is antimicrobial stewardship. These new roadmaps have been developed to follow previous roadmaps for the 2020 to 2024 period, so that we can continue to drive actions on AMR,” said Manjiri Gharat, co-chair of the FIP AMR Commission (to September 2024) and contributor to the publication.

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Announced today by Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, the funded hybrid program will include Beyfortus alongside maternal immunisation to provide eligible infants* with free access to protection against severe RSV during winter when seasonal outbreaks of the virus often occur.

Beyfortus will be made available through hospitals, immunisation clinics and general practitioners to help prevent RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants entering their first RSV season, and for children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.1

RSV is a seasonal virus which can cause lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchiolitisand pneumonia in infants, leading to potentially life-threatening breathing difficulties.2,3

As a leading cause of infant hospitalisation, severe RSV is responsible for around 12,000 hospital admissions among Australian babies aged 12 months and younger each year.4 Up to 80 per cent of infants and children who are admitted to hospital with RSV are otherwise healthy children, with no predisposing conditions.4

As part of the new nationwide immunisation program that has united the Federal, State and Territory governments in offering infants protection against RSV, a single injection of Beyfortus will be administered to eligible* infants prior to or during the RSV season, depending on their birth date.1

Dr Desiree Anthony, RSV Medical Lead, Sanofi Australia and New Zealand
“We applaud Minister Butler and his state and territory counterparts for the leadership shown in ensuring all babies in all postcodes are offered RSV protection next winter. This preventative health milestone will allow parents to help protect their baby against severe RSV when they need it most.”

Sanofi will work alongside federal, state and territory governments, healthcare professionals and immunisation advocates to ensure a smooth rollout of the 2025 infant
RSV immunisation program.

In 2024, there have been nearly 80,000 confirmed cases of RSV in Australian children under five years of age, comprising around 50 per cent of all reported cases of the virus.5

This year, Queensland and Western Australia joined governments in the United States, France, Spain, Luxemburg and Chile in providing all-infant access to Beyfortus during their most recent RSV seasons.

Beyfortus is a long-acting antibody which attaches to a protein on the surface of the RSV virus, blocking it from entering the body’s cells (especially cells in the lungs) if the child becomes infected with the virus. A single, intramuscular injection is administered to the infant prior to or during the RSV winter season, depending on their birth date.1

Beyfortus has been extensively studied, including in a Phase III clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine in which 1,490 healthy late-preterm and term infants were randomly assigned Beyfortus or placebo, in a 2:1 ratio, before an RSV season.1,6

A single, fixed dose of Beyfortus reduced medically attended RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection (including hospitalisation) by 74.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49.6 to 87.1; P<0.001 by Poisson regression) through 150 days after the injection.1,6

The most common side effects in children receiving Beyfortus include rash and injection site reactions such as swelling, and an elevated body temperature.1
Beyfortus is designed for use in either primary or secondary care settings, with pre- filled
syringe doses indicated for use based on an infant’s weight (<5kg – 50mg nirsevimab; 5kg or above – 100mg nirsevimab).1

Minimum Product Information: Beyfortus (nirsevimab)
Indication: Beyfortus is indicated for the prevention of RSV LRTD in neonates and infants entering or during their first RSV season, and children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. Beyfortus should be used in accordance with official recommendations. Dosage and administration: For infants entering their first RSV season, Beyfortus is administered as a single 50 mg (for infants under 5 kg) or (for infants 5 kg and above) 100 mg prefilled syringe via intramuscular (IM) injection from birth for infants born during the RSV season and ideally prior to the RSV season for those born outside of the season. For infants entering their second RSV season, BEYFORTUS is given as a single 200 mg dose administered as two IM injections (2 x 100 mg) at the same visit. For dosage in infants undergoing cardiopulmonary surgery, consult the full PI. Contraindication: Beyfortus is contraindicated in individuals with a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to the active substances or to any of the excipients. Warnings and Precautions: Hypersensitivity including
anaphylaxis: Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been observed with monoclonal antibodies. If signs and symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue administration and initiate appropriate medicinal
products and/or supportive therapy. Clinically significant bleeding disorders: nirsevimab should be given with caution to infants with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder. The safety and efficacy of nirsevimab in children aged 2 to 18 years have not been established. Interactions:
Palivizumab should not be administered to infants who have already received BEYFORTUS in the same season.
Adverse Effects: Uncommon (≥0.1% – <1%): rash, injection site reaction and pyrexia.

Please refer to full Beyfortus Product Information before prescribing. Beyfortus Product
Information is available at: https://qr.medsinfo.com.au/files/swpbeyfo.pdf

1. Sanofi Australia. Beyfortus Approved Product Information, November 2023.
2. Piedimonte G, Perez MK. Respiratory syncytial virus infection and bronchiolitis. Pediatr Rev.
2014;35:519-53.
3. Li, Y., et al. Global, regional, and national disease burden estimates of acute lower
respiratory infections due to respiratory syncytial virus in young children in 2019: a systematic
analysis. The Lancet, 399(10340), 2047 2064. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00478-0
4. Evohealth. Time to Act – Protecting our children from RSV. 2023. Available at:
https://www.evohealth.com.au/insights/time-to-act-protecting-our-children-from-rsv/
5. Department of Health and Age Care. National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. 8 October
2024. Available at https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/
6. Hammitt LL, Dagan R, Yuan T, et al. Nirsevimab for prevention of RSV in healthy late-preterm
and term infants. MELODY study. N Engl J Med 2022; 386:837-46. DOI: 10.1056/MEJMoa2110275Available
at: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2110275

© Sanofi Australia and New Zealand. Talavera Corporate Centre, Building D, 12-24 Talavera Road,
Macquarie Park, NSW 2113 MAT-AU-2402067 v1.0 First issued November 2024.
PBS / NIP Information:
Beyfortus is funded by State and Territory governments for eligible infants as restrictions apply.
Contact your local state or territory health department for
further details. Beyfortus is not listed on the PBS or NIP.

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As Australia marks National Recycling Week, Ego Pharmaceuticals is enhancing its ongoing efforts toward environmental sustainability by further reducing packaging waste. In line with the event’s aim to promote recycling and resource recovery, Ego is making significant strides by transitioning the packaging of its iconic QV tube products to recyclable materials. This initiative reflects Ego’s commitment to reducing landfill waste and contributing to a more sustainable future.

In a move that aims to save around 18 tonnes of packaging waste from landfill every year¹, all QV tube products are now being transitioned from laminate to LDPE packaging. Laminate packaging cannot be recycled in Australia due to the recycling facilities not being able to process the components of the laminate, whereas LDPE can easily be recycled by customers in their kerbside recycle bins.

This change signifies the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, and reflects Ego’s determination to implement changes that positively impact the environment.

The transition is already underway, with a mix of QV tube products for the Australian, Asian and Middle Eastern markets having already been switched to the new packaging. The rest of the applicable products are set to follow over the next 12 months, dependant on production timing.

“This project has been two years in the making, and has involved extensive production and stability trials for key products,” said Ego’s Packaging Projects & Studio Manager, Simone Thomassen.

“This meticulous approach ensures that the transition to LDPE packaging maintains the high standards of product quality that consumers expect from the QV brand.”

Ego collaborated with Impact International on this project, an Australian company known for its commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing of plastic tubes. Their sustainable practices include a privately-owned solar farm, a no heavy metals policy, extensive recycling efforts, and their own sustainable forest that can offset the raw materials used to manufacture their tubes.

This project brings Ego a step closer to achieving their goal of having 100% of their packaging for cosmetic products being reusable or recyclable, and therefore meeting our APCO and ANZPAC targets.

In today’s landscape of heightened corporate responsibility, Ego is increasingly prioritising sustainability – a commitment that helps ensure the longevity of their products while also contributing to the protection of the environment for future generations.

You can find out more about Ego’s commitment to sustainability on their website: https://www.egopharm.com/au/en/corporate-social-responsibility

¹Based on 2023 figures

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The October state-based forums round out TWC’s annual education program and are integral to TWC’s mission to empower its pharmacy professionals with the latest clinical knowledge and practical skills, supporting optimal patient care and enhancing customer experiences.

Masterclass Forum this October centred around integrating biopsychosocial care and shared management plans into daily pharmacy practice, with clinical updates focusing on areas such sleep health and insomnia management, sun safety, and biosimilars. The forum also introduced new digital tools to support streamlined efficiency and best practice clinical governance. Pharmacists participated in hands-on workshops and patient scenarios to maximise health outcomes, ensuring they stay at the forefront of expert clinical care.

At Academy Forum, Pharmacy Assistants delved into vital topics including hydration, new menstrual care therapies, oral health and hygiene, migraine management, allergic rhinitis support, natural therapies for pain relief, and skincare. The education program focused on enhancing product knowledge and their ability to support customers with diverse healthcare needs, further solidifying their role as vital members of the healthcare workforce.

“We are proud to provide both Pharmacists and Pharmacy Assistants with the educational tools they need to continue delivering exceptional healthcare services. This month’s Masterclass and Academy Forums are testament to our belief that continuous learning is the key to ensuring our teams remain experts in their fields,” said Nick Munroe, Executive General Manager of TerryWhite Chemmart.

“By focusing on practical applications and in-depth clinical knowledge, we’re ensuring that our teams can provide the best possible care for our patients.”

Clint Holland, Country Manager for Sandoz, expressed his support for the initiative and the partnership between Sandoz and TWC. “Our long-standing partnership with TerryWhite Chemmart is built on a shared commitment to patient health outcomes and the ongoing education of Pharmacists. Programs like Masterclass Forum are crucial in ensuring Pharmacists have the latest clinical knowledge and are equipped to navigate the challenges of modern pharmacy practice.”

Academy Forum also received strong backing from supplier partners, with Sharon Groombridge National Training Manager from Care Pharmaceuticals highlighting the importance of education for Pharmacy Assistants. “Pharmacy Assistants are an essential part of the healthcare workforce, often serving as the first point of contact for customers. Continuous education is critical to ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to provide customers with the right advice and products.”

“Both forums would not have been possible without the ongoing support of TWC’s valued supplier partners. TerryWhite Chemmart acknowledges the contributions of these partners in pushing the teams to be better through learning, which ultimately drives positive health outcomes for patients across Australia,” said Munroe.

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Professor Peter Steadman, an orthopaedic surgeon, board member of ANZSA and incoming president of the international sarcoma group hosting the conference ISOLS at Brisbane Convention centre with ANZSA said, “Sarcoma is particularly concerning for younger people, being the third most common cancer in children and adolescents. That’s why early detection is crucial, yet it’s incredibly difficult to diagnose. Patients often present with symptoms like persistent sore joints or lumps along the bones, which are sometimes mistaken for less serious conditions.

“Given that sarcoma is weighted towards the first three decades of life, it’s essential we raise awareness among the public and healthcare providers to ensure it is caught earlier. We desperately need breakthroughs, and that starts with greater investment in research and support.”

Despite sarcoma’s significant impact, it remains one of the least funded cancers, and there has been little progress in treatment over the past 40 years.

Chairperson of the Consumer Advisory Panel at ANZSA, Sarah Cheung said, “It’s shocking that sarcoma has not seen a breakthrough in decades. As a sarcoma survivor, I know how difficult the journey is. Without increased funding and research, patients will continue to face poor outcomes. We need to amplify awareness of sarcoma and ensure people understand the gravity of this disease. Early detection can save lives, but without proper funding, advancements will remain out of reach.”

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​The NSW Government will enable pharmacists to provide treatment for a broader range of common and mild conditions, including ear infections, nausea and vomiting, reflux, acne, muscle pain and wound management.

​PSA NSW President Luke Kelly FPS welcomed the decision which will allow pharmacists to improve access to healthcare across the state.

​“PSA has long advocated for expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice in NSW, and we are grateful for the trust placed in pharmacists by the NSW Government following the success of the NSW Pharmacy Trial,” Mr Kelly said

“It is encouraging to see pharmacists’ accessibility and skills leveraged to provide NSW residents with more timely and accessible health care for a broader range of conditions. This will make our health system more efficient and safer.’’

​“The recognition of Queensland trained pharmacists being able to offer these services in NSW is a positive step. National harmonisation of training requirements will cut red tape and enable more pharmacists to deliver essential services to their communities.”

​“PSA will continue to work collaboratively with Minister Park and the NSW Government to ensure these services are implemented professionally, effectively and safely.” he said.

​PSA National President, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS commended the NSW Government for recognising pharmacists’ expertise as pharmacists continue to play a vital role in supporting community health.

​“PSA supports improving timely and equitable access to care for all Australians through the expansion of prescribing by pharmacists in a rigorous, robust and responsible manner,” said A/Prof Sim.

“PSA remains committed to preparing the workforce by providing training, education, and practice support to upskill pharmacists, ensuring they are equipped to deliver these services effectively.”

​“This announcement follows the launch of Pharmacists in 2030, PSA’s vision for the future of pharmacist practice.  Expanding pharmacists’ scope to deliver greater access to healthcare to address unmet health needs is a key step towards realising this vision.”

​PSA’s Pharmacists in 2030 vision can be found here:  https://www.psa.org.au/advocacy/working-for-our-profession/pharmacists_in_2030/ 

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