Pharmacy gives back

MOUNT GAMBIER’S only not-for-profit pharmacy, UFS Chemist, donated almost $12,400 to community organisations in 2024-25 as well as giving products and vouchers to groups for fundraisers.

The largest single donation was $3000 to the Mount Gambier and District Tertiary Education Grant Program which UFS has supported since its inception in 2007.

Other recipients of cash donations included the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal, Saint Martin’s Lutheran College, Grant High School, Pioneers Basketball Club and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The 10 organisations that received products or vouchers included Yahl Primary School, Glenburnie Memorial Hall, Swinging with the Stars, the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea, Blue Lake Soccer Club and Blue Lake Gymnastics Club.

Recently re-elected Board Chairman John Williamson said UFS was proud to be able to continue supporting community organisations despite challenging times in the pharmacy sector.

“The pharmacy industry in Australia forms a major component of the health system, and the role of pharmacists has changed and increased significantly since Covid,” he said in his annual report.

“Pharmacists have been providing vaccination services for several years now and are also involved in many and varied activities for the benefit of our community.

“There is no doubt that both federal and State governments are seeking to utilise pharmacies and pharmacists as an additional resource and also to cost shift in an attempt to control the cost of health care.

“As we are aware and have discussed as a board, the government plan is for pharmacists to undertake additional training at a tertiary level to increase their qualifications to perform a number of activities currently undertaken by GPs.

“There is no doubt that to remain viable, regional pharmacies such as ours will need to provide opportunities for our pharmacists to participate in further training but this requirement will present challenges and additional cost,” Mr Williamson said.

He praised the service provided by Managing Pharmacist Amelia Hancock, pharmacists Dale Salmon and Prue Linnell, and staff, in helping UFS Mount Gambier achieve modest profits in the last two financial years after a loss in 2023.

UFS Deputy Chair Bernie Douglas and directors Valerie Murrell, Rod Sparks and Stuart Stansfield were all re-elected at the annual general meeting.