The Great Debate At PAC, Australia

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 09 Oct 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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A new feature on 2009's Pharmacy Australia Congress opening program is the "Great Debate" between Pharmacy experts with divergent views about the future direction for community pharmacy.

The subject to be debated is The answer to our future viability is increasing FOS sales not more professional services.

Renowned financial and business consultant to pharmacy, Bruce Annabel, will begin the debate for each side with an outline of the financial implications from following one direction or the other.

Arguing for an expansion of the front-of-shop business will be Terry White, well known for the success of his franchise's health and beauty retail model, and well known Sydney pharmacist Terry Herfert.

On the other side of the debate will be Professor Charlie Benrimoj, an expert on professional service implementation and a great critic of non-health related product categories in pharmacy, and Karen Peachey, former Queensland Guild Vice-President and strong advocate for the professional service model for community pharmacy.

The man in the middle is the now pharmacy business academic Phill Woods who will try to keep the passion and rhetoric to a minimum and facts to the forefront in what promises to be an absorbing contest between these industry heavyweights.

National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Warwick Plunkett, said the debate promised to be one of the many highlights at PAC this year.

The results of the stimulating discussion may well determine the future direction for pharmacies so attendance should mandatory at 4pm on 16 Friday when the words will fly.

"Not only will it be a highlight but it is one which fits perfectly into the theme of PAC this year which is Securing Your Practice Advantage," Mr Plunkett said.

"The outcome of this debate may well determine the future direction for your pharmacy so your presence should be mandatory at 4pm on Friday 16 October."

Source
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia