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The
main problem I see in Pharmacies is the same as all small business
- a shortage of capital reinvested in the business.
There are too many pharmacies operating with grossly outdated
hardware and software - "it ain't bust, so why fix it?"
They are prepared to put up with downtime, delays, and interruptions
just to squeeze the last dollar out of their five to ten year
old hardware.
They run noisy and slow nine-pin printers with "long-ago-broken-and-missing"
covers. Whatever happened to the dust-free computer environment?
I sometimes need a face mask, just to pull one of these machines
out!
Consumers are warned about the looming obsolescence of DOS based
programs, and yet many pharmacies still use them.
If software and hardware are to be upgraded at the same time,
I would conservatively price that at $40-50,000.
That is a big hit, but is one which will have to be taken by many
pharmacies over the next couple of years.
The computer problem coupled with the urgent need to refit in
many pharmacies would indicate asset stripping (?) over many years,
in a lot of pharmacies.
The image presented by many pharmacies is not doing the profession
any good.
I must confess to having been a technophile, and a compulsive
shop fitter while I had my own pharmacy.
I had two Saturday girls who just cleaned for three hours on a
Saturday morning.
I was always broke, and in trouble with the bank!?
CATCH 22!
Shortages of pharmacists are still a problem.
There are a few pharmacies emerging which run on relievers, or
three to four job-sharing pharmacists.
The shortage of relievers also impacts on the "big" pharmacies
- especially the managed shopping centre pharmacies.
Some pharmacist managers of these larger pharmacies are worse
off than the proprietor pharmacist.
Many such pharmacies trade extended hours, and it seems it is
not unusual for the pharmacist manager to have to work 12 hour
days - sometimes for days or weeks on end!
I did five 12 hour shifts recently - probably illegal, and certainly
not recommended - as the only pharmacist on duty.
As a locum pharmacist, I will probably avoid shopping centre pharmacies,
and 12 hour shifts.
I know other locums who have the same opinions, and the question
must be asked "why should I work that hard/long?"
I have worked with a soon-to-be-registered post grad.
I feel for these guys - they are used as cannon fodder in most
pharmacies - very little job satisfaction, and a terrible waste
of education.
These guys will inevitably work for the highest bidder - usually
larger pharmacies, who will offer that kind of money.
I have seen script factories, where the counselling desk/area
is stacked with toilet rolls, and seems to have been included
in the shop-fit only to satisfy the Pharmacy Board.
GST is still having a huge effect on pharmacy owner's home time.
As a simple and uncomplicated three monthly return "business",
I still have trouble keeping up.
As a locum, you would think I should have lots of time to keep
up with all these journals and trade publications which drop through
my letterbox.
Not so!
I have these piles of stuff, still in the wrappers, just like
you!
There is just not enough uninterrupted time to keep up to date.
These are my own comments and observations.
I am encouraged by similar opinions expressed in the trade press
and on AusPharmList.
I can see little point in formulating "you-beaut" initiatives
and protocols for Pharmacy, if implementation is impossible without
change to the patient's perception of what we do, and how we do
it.
Of course, it is a "horse and cart" situation.
What we have at the moment is a bloody big cart which people keep
throwing things on to, but there are no horses strong enough or
willing enough to pull it.
I cannot give answers and solutions, given the current state of
the economy in general, and pharmacy specifically.
However, I do think these things need to be said, to keep us all
honest!
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ROY
STEVENSON