News

BEWARE THE STING IN THE RECOVERY

For many retailers, 2009 was a difficult year, with deep discounting and sluggish or patchy sales. Yet pharmacists performed better than most, enjoying better growth than just about everyone else, with the exception of takeaway food shops and liquor stores. Better still, conditions look set to improve in 2010, although the recovery could hold a

Were you on the “Net” this Christmas?

How was your Christmas 2009 trade? For many clients I have spoken to it has been flat and some are down about 5% to 10% on same month last year. The main reasons of course are the recent consecutive interest rate rises and no Federal Government funding this year for the general public compared to last December. Nevertheless

BUSINESS OWNERSHIP SUCCESSION STRATEGIES

Whenever speaking to a pharmacist who is either already in, or about to join, a pharmacy partnership, I always ask whether they have thought about their business succession strategy. For the reader who is in a pharmacy partnership, a key question to consider is “what is going to happen if you die at your dispensary”.

STRUCTURING – STILL WORTH IT?

With the top marginal rate of individual tax starting at $180,000 of income you have to ask whether structuring your pharmacy into a company or trust (depending on which State the pharmacy operates in) it still worth it?

INVESTMENT OPTIONS OUTSIDE THE PHARMACY

Pharmacists looking to achieve investment goals sooner during the new financial year should take advantage of opportunities for Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) investment outside the Pharmacy. Accelerating your wealth sooner by making the most of changes to Australia’s superannuation laws is a good first step.

PHARMACY LOCATION RULE CHANGES

The Minister for Health and Ageing has amended the National Health (Australian Community Pharmacy Authority Rules) Determination (“The Rules”). The Determination was made in February and came into effect on the 17th March 2009 and applies to all applications made to the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority (“ACPA”) on or after that date.

METHASOFT METHADONE DISPENSING SYSTEM

Health administrations nationally are increasingly seeking to integrate recovering addiction patients back into the community. Retail Pharmacy can and does play an important role in addiction care programs that provide treatment and support in achieving better outcomes for individuals involved in opiate substitution therapy.

BUDGET FOR IT

Ever set off to travel somewhere and did not know where you were going? Have an idea of where you are heading but no clue on how to get there – unless you look at the map. We are currently operating in unprecedented economic times and so the journey of the next twelve months is