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Growth Feb 23 - Mar 28 2020 vs 2019 1 Hand sanitiser 2 Cold and flu immunity 3 Thermometers 359% 4 Wipes 339% 5 Household disinfectants 333% 6 Gloves 304% Growth Mar 29 - May 2 2020 vs 2019 149% 0% 44% 5% 32% 44% 24% 38% -30% -8% -20% -69% -18% -35% -8% -38% 7% -32% -46% -35% -30% -14% -14% -2% 117% -7% THE PHARMACY STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT 33 related counselling and medications, including flu vaccination and treatment. What are the opportunities? There may be some new opportunities in community pharmacy given the circumstances, as consumer behaviour changes and some consumers demonstrate reluctance to visit a pharmacy to collect their scripts. Pharmacies that had already began to pivot in the preparation for electronic scripts have been able to provide a safe and seamless customer experience. The desire for these patient focused delivery models will likely remain, so some of the opportunities that pharmacies should explore include: • Providing an online presence where patients can submit queries as well as buy products online for delivery or click and collect. • Having telehealth consultations. • Providing visibility of stock availability. • Training staff for remote assistance as well as home delivery with a difference. • Understanding local circumstances and the position of your pharmacy will help you understand which opportunities will be open to you and where you may need to examine your business model given the new way people will shop. Online presence A quick search online shows that some pharmacies are doing a better job of e-commerce than others. One of the most frustrating things for a consumer is not to be able to find a product or their local pharmacy quickly online. Practical tip: Google your own pharmacy and see how easy it is to locate your contact information as well as your e-commerce experience. It’s important that you control your online reputation, especially as people turn to e-commerce sites to buy essential items. Register your business with Google and TO PAG 34 Category 435% 366% 7 Immune supplements 8 Vitamin C supplements 9 Paper products 299% 263% 240% 10 Swabs 205% 11 Baby hygiene 12 Cold remedies 13 OTC asthma remedies 14 Sore throat 15 Skin disinfection 16 Feminine sanitary 17 Soap 18 Pain treatments 19 Cough products 20 Nappies 21 Nasal saline 22 Masks & inhalation 23 Incontinence products 24 Mouthwash 25 Circulation supplements 26 Room disinfectant sprays 164% 133% 115% 112% 107% 106% 105% 100% 97% 92% 86% 82% 81% 79% 58% 52% Figure 2: Australian pharmacy OTC sales, week ending May 2, 2020. biggest game changers in the history of medicine.”2 As can be seen from Australian dispensed medicine data, this had a profound impact on global news and the subsequent rate of this medicine’s dispensation in Australia. There was concern such prescribing activity would create potential shortages of the medicine and impact the health of Australians who use it for approved indications, so in response it was changed to ‘Authority’ from May 1 to limit prescribing.3 Of greatest alarm is the rush on not just groceries but medicines during this pandemic, and it suggests that the government and regulatory bodies need to consider how to best protect the vulnerable in our community that need access to these medicines, during future crises. Notably, in the peak week of demand (March 16-22) volume for respiratory medicines peaked at 80 per cent on a rolling month basis and overall market demand spiked at 9.5 million units of prescription medicines, for the total market, compared with 6.6 million units for the same week last year. Overall, we expect to see a return to pre-COVID-19 levels of most prescriptions, and despite a colder start to winter, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a mild season overall.4 Pharmacists should still be prepared for a surge in demand for other winter- Recommend Chemists’ Own® for pain relief www.chemistsown.com.au THIS MEDICINE MAY NOT BE RIGHT FOR YOU. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL BEFORE PURCHASE. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. INCORRECT USE COULD BE HARMFUL. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, TALK TO YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. RETAIL PHARMACY • JUL 2020